Diagnostic Imaging
Diagnostic Imaging: Complex is our Everyday
Home to one of the UK’s largest team of internationally renowned Specialist Radiologists and world-class diagnostic facilities, Willows offers an unrivalled Diagnostic Imaging service which forms one of the cornerstones of our multidisciplinary approach to patient care.
Leading-edge technology, outstanding clinical expertise and a bespoke approach to every patient ensures that the best possible images are captured, interpreted and guided providing the most accurate and rapid diagnosis, allowing better patient outcomes and more detailed clinical information for clients and referring vets alike.
Our diagnostic imaging equipment includes:
• A 1.5 tesla MRI scanner
• A 64 slice CT scanner with ECG gating
• A superb Logiq S8 ultrasound unit with a range of probes
• Two digital X-ray rooms with auto-exposure facility
• A high-end fluoroscopy unit for real time/movie X-ray viewing in and outside the operating theatre
• Instant image retrieval on a number of workstations around the hospital.
Meet The Team
Andrew Tanner
BSc(Hons)
Radiographer
Elizabeth Baines
MA VetMB DVR DipECVDI FHEA MRCVS
RCVS Specialist in Veterinary Diagnostic Imaging
European Specialist in Veterinary Diagnostic Imaging
Sally Griffin
BVSc CertAVP DipECVDI MRCVS
RCVS Specialist in Veterinary Diagnostic Imaging
European Specialist in Veterinary Diagnostic Imaging
Luis Mesquita
DVM DipECVDI MRCVS
European Specialist in Veterinary Diagnostic Imaging
Ewa Stanczyk
PhD DipECVDI MRCVS
European Specialist in Veterinary Diagnostic Imaging
Amy Ferreira
BVSc DipECVDI MRCVS
European Specialist in Veterinary Diagnostic Imaging
James Whitlock
ECVDI Resident in Veterinary Diagnostic Imaging
David Casado Bregon
CertAVP (VDI)
ECVDI Resident in Veterinary Diagnostic Imaging
Diagnostic Imaging Resident
Diagnostic Imaging: Complex is our Everyday
Home to one of the UK’s largest team of internationally renowned Specialist Radiologists and world-class diagnostic facilities, Willows offers an unrivalled Diagnostic Imaging service which forms one of the cornerstones of our multidisciplinary approach to patient care.
Leading-edge technology, outstanding clinical expertise and a bespoke approach to every patient ensures that the best possible images are captured, interpreted and guided providing the most accurate and rapid diagnosis, allowing better patient outcomes and more detailed clinical information for clients and referring vets alike.
Our diagnostic imaging equipment includes:
• A 1.5 tesla MRI scanner
• A 64 slice CT scanner with ECG gating
• A superb Logiq S8 ultrasound unit with a range of probes
• Two digital X-ray rooms with auto-exposure facility
• A high-end fluoroscopy unit for real time/movie X-ray viewing in and outside the operating theatre
• Instant image retrieval on a number of workstations around the hospital.
Our diagnostic imaging equipment includes:
• A 1.5 tesla MRI scanner
• A 64 slice CT scanner with ECG gating
• A superb Logiq S8 ultrasound unit with a range of probes
• Two digital X-ray rooms with auto-exposure facility
• A high-end fluoroscopy unit for real time/movie X-ray viewing in and outside the operating theatre
• Instant image retrieval on a number of workstations around the hospital.
What is MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging)?
Unlike many other veterinary MRI facilities in the UK, our 1.5 tesla MRI scanner has a complete range of MRI coils – these are placed around the patient to obtain the best image quality. Given the great variety of shapes and sizes of animals which we encounter on a daily basis, having a wide range of coils to choose from is very important, as this allows our Specialist Imagers to optimise the MRI studies for each individual patient.
What is MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging)?
Unlike many other veterinary MRI facilities in the UK, our 1.5 tesla MRI scanner has a complete range of MRI coils – these are placed around the patient to obtain the best image quality. Given the great variety of shapes and sizes of animals which we encounter on a daily basis, having a wide range of coils to choose from is very important, as this allows our Specialist Imagers to optimise the MRI studies for each individual patient.
MRI is the imaging modality of choice for patients with brain, or spinal cord disease, where it is so important to know quickly whether the pet requires surgery or would be best treated medically. MRI is also used for a range of musculoskeletal diseases. For more information about MRI scans please see our pet health information sheet ‘What is an MRI scan?’.
MRI is the imaging modality of choice for patients with brain, or spinal cord disease, where it is so important to know quickly whether the pet requires surgery or would be best treated medically. MRI is also used for a range of musculoskeletal diseases. For more information about MRI scans please see our pet health information sheet ‘What is an MRI scan?’.
What is CT (Computed Tomography)?
Willows is home to a top-of-the range, 64-slice Siemens CT scanner enabling highly accurate lesion localisation. Although it uses x-rays to create an image, the modern design of the CT scanner keeps the radiation dose to the patient to an absolute minimum. The CT has the ability to image multiple slices at once, enabling images to be acquired in much less time.
What is CT (Computed Tomography)?
Willows is home to a top-of-the range, 64-slice Siemens CT scanner enabling highly accurate lesion localisation. Although it uses x-rays to create an image, the modern design of the CT scanner keeps the radiation dose to the patient to an absolute minimum. The CT has the ability to image multiple slices at once, enabling images to be acquired in much less time.
CT is the imaging modality of choice for nasal disease, vascular disease, trauma patients, and when planning complex thoracic or abdominal surgery. It gives exceptional detail when looking at the lungs and often detects lesions that do not show up on conventional x-rays. CT can also be used to position biopsy needles into lesions that may not otherwise be accessible without a complex surgical approach. ECG gating means that the scanner is also able to detect complex cardiac disorders that may not be visible by other means. For more information about CT scans, please see our pet health information sheet ‘What is a CT scan?’.
CT is the imaging modality of choice for nasal disease, vascular disease, trauma patients, and when planning complex thoracic or abdominal surgery. It gives exceptional detail when looking at the lungs and often detects lesions that do not show up on conventional x-rays. CT can also be used to position biopsy needles into lesions that may not otherwise be accessible without a complex surgical approach. ECG gating means that the scanner is also able to detect complex cardiac disorders that may not be visible by other means. For more information about CT scans, please see our pet health information sheet ‘What is a CT scan?’.
What is Fluoroscopy?
Mobile image intensifiers allow our Specialist Imagers to view ‘live’ x-ray images, which is a requirement for some of our patients. Fluoroscopy is most commonly used for operating on patients with portosystemic shunts (an abnormal blood vessel that allows the blood supply to bypass the liver), however it can also be used to perform certain studies of the gastrointestinal tract, and to assist our surgeons when placing metal implants in orthopaedic procedures.
What is Fluoroscopy?
Mobile image intensifiers allow our Specialist Imagers to view ‘live’ x-ray images, which is a requirement for some of our patients. Fluoroscopy is most commonly used for operating on patients with portosystemic shunts (an abnormal blood vessel that allows the blood supply to bypass the liver), however it can also be used to perform certain studies of the gastrointestinal tract, and to assist our surgeons when placing metal implants in orthopaedic procedures.
What is Ultrasound?
Ultrasound is an ideal way of imaging in real-time, for many of our patients it can be utilised in obtaining biopsies from organs without the need for major surgery. At Willows we have high-end ultrasound imaging facilities and a wide range of ultrasound probes, allowing us to see inside and behind the eye of ocular patients, inside the abdomen (and the chest) of some of our medical and soft tissue surgical patients, and even into muscles and tendons of some of orthopaedic patients. For more information about ultrasound please see our pet health information sheet ‘What is an ultrasound scan?’.
What is Ultrasound?
Ultrasound is an ideal way of imaging in real-time, for many of our patients it can be utilised in obtaining biopsies from organs without the need for major surgery. At Willows we have high-end ultrasound imaging facilities and a wide range of ultrasound probes, allowing us to see inside and behind the eye of ocular patients, inside the abdomen (and the chest) of some of our medical and soft tissue surgical patients, and even into muscles and tendons of some of orthopaedic patients. For more information about ultrasound please see our pet health information sheet ‘What is an ultrasound scan?’.
With all of these imaging facilities to choose from, it is important to remember that for many patients, our two digital x-ray suites are also very useful. These x-ray facilities automatically limit the x-ray exposure to the patient, thereby optimising the quality of the images while keeping the radiation dose to a minimum.
All our imaging facilities are fully digital enabling our Vets to access the images are readily on any computer within the hospital. This allows us to show images to clients in the consulting rooms, or view the images in the operating theatre, or to open them elsewhere e.g. to allow case discussion with colleagues. Furthermore, image reconstruction can be performed on these computers, which helps our clinicians to better understand their patients’ diseases.
The imaging facilities at Willows allows our clinicians to choose the best and most cost-effective procedure for their patients’ needs without compromise. Our Specialist Diagnostic Imaging team ensure that this complex equipment is optimised for veterinary use, and that the interpretation of any imaging study is second to none. The diagnostic facility at Willows is amongst the most advanced in the UK and provides pivotal support for Willows’ other disciplines.
With all of these imaging facilities to choose from, it is important to remember that for many patients, our two digital x-ray suites are also very useful. These x-ray facilities automatically limit the x-ray exposure to the patient, thereby optimising the quality of the images while keeping the radiation dose to a minimum.
All our imaging facilities are fully digital enabling our Vets to access the images are readily on any computer within the hospital. This allows us to show images to clients in the consulting rooms, or view the images in the operating theatre, or to open them elsewhere e.g. to allow case discussion with colleagues. Furthermore, image reconstruction can be performed on these computers, which helps our clinicians to better understand their patients’ diseases.
The imaging facilities at Willows allows our clinicians to choose the best and most cost-effective procedure for their patients’ needs without compromise. Our Specialist Diagnostic Imaging team ensure that this complex equipment is optimised for veterinary use, and that the interpretation of any imaging study is second to none. The diagnostic facility at Willows is amongst the most advanced in the UK and provides pivotal support for Willows’ other disciplines.
Diagnostic Imaging – Find out more
To assist owners in understanding more about Diagnostic Imaging, we have put together a range of information sheets to talk you through the some of the main areas forms of Diagnostic Imaging at Willows.
