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Aga Khan University Hospital (AKUH) has introduced new diagnostic
imaging services for women including a state-of-the-art mammography
service for breast examination, the only Mammotome Breast Biopsy
system of its kind in Pakistan and a modern Bone Densitometry facility
for assessing bone density.
The new mammography machine at AKUH's Department of Radiology is
equipped with a digital module that helps detect breast abnormalities.
The machine also features a stereotactic breast biopsy facility,
a computerised X-ray guided method of examining and sampling breast
lesions. The rate of breast cancer in Pakistan is the highest in
Asia and doctors highly recommend annual screening mammography for
women above the age of 40.
Introduced for the first time in Pakistan and available only at
AKUH, the new Mammotome biopsy system represents a technological
advancement that helps physicians obtain the right amount of tissue
for a definitive diagnosis of breast cancer without surgery. The
Mammotome biopsy causes little pain and is performed relatively
quickly under local anaesthesia, allowing the patient to resume
normal everyday activities after the procedure.
The Hospital has also acquired a Bone Densitometry machine which
is the only one of its kind in the country, featuring a C-arm facility
that moves into various positions for scanning while the patient
stays comfortably still. Bone densitometry uses an advanced technology
called DXA and safely, accurately and painlessly measures bone mineral
density within minutes. Unlike typical X-ray machines, radiation
exposure during bone densitometry is extremely low. This test helps
identify bone loss in both men and women and is particularly important
in the diagnosis of osteoporosis, a disease that is common amongst
post-menopausal women.
These new facilities further strengthen the comprehensive imaging
programme at AKUH. "Staying abreast of technological advancements
in diagnostic imaging services, the Department of Radiology at AKUH
now produces digitised images in general radiography and fluoroscopy.
All these developments indicate our commitment to imaging services
which are run by well-qualified, trained and dedicated radiologists," says Dr Muhammad Nadeem Ahmed, Associate Professor and Chairman
of the Department of Radiology, AKUH.
Besides conventional X-rays, the department offers other high-quality
services such as fluoroscopic procedures, all kinds of ultrasounds
including Doppler studies, nuclear medicine imaging including a
modern gamma camera, computed tomography (CT), magnetic resonance
imaging (MRI), and advanced diagnostic and therapeutic interventional
procedures like neuro-radiology. All these features further strengthen
the comprehensive imaging programme at AKUH.
Advanced radiological services are also available at the AKUH Clifton
Medical Services centre, which was established in January 2004 as
a part of the Hospital's outreach programme that aims to provide
accessible, compassionate and high-quality health care to patients
residing in distant areas of Karachi.
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