MRI shows benefits of Mediterranean diet on the brain
A study that appears in February 2012′s issue of Archives of Neurology suggests that eating a Mediterranean-style diet may offer protection against small-vessel disease. Damage to small blood vessels can cause damage in the brain and other organs.
The study included performing brain MRIs on the participants. The researchers noted a correlation between the participants’ diets and the amount of white-matter hyperintesity (“WMH”) volumes in their brain. WMH are markers for small-vessel damage and are associated with vascular risk factors such as smoking, diabetes and high blood pressure. The more closely a person followed a Mediterranean-style diet, the less WMH they had.
The study findings might also help explain recent studies that have linked consumption of a Mediterranean diet with lower incidence of neurological conditions like dementia and Alzheimer’s disease.
What is the Mediterranean diet? Think: olive oil, fruits and vegetables, fish, whole grains, legumes and nuts. Try to limit the amount of red meat, saturated fats and refined grains you eat. If its in a can, a box or a jar – don’t buy it!
While you can’t get an MRI of your brain to see how your diet is working, it might be appropriate to get one if you are experiencing some cognitive difficulties. Talk to your doctor, and together you can come up with a game plan. If your doctor thinks an MRI might be appropriate, give us a call at 1-877-709-8522.
Pre-Op Breast MRI reduces repeat surgery
A Study presented by Yale School of Medicine Professor Liane Philpotts, shows that patients with newly diagnosed breast cancers have fewer repeat surgeries when they have an MRI first. http://rsna2011.rsna.org/search/event_display.cfm?printmode=n&em_id=11005598
The results were most dramatic in patients who have dense breast tissue (dense tissue is more challenging to evaluate on mammogram and ultrasound).
When a lumpectomy is performed, if there are any cancerous cells remaining around the excision area, a second surgery is required to remove more tissue to ensure “clear margins”. Breast MRI has been shown to show the size and shape of a cancerous lesion better than mammography or ultrasound, thus helping the surgeons be more accurate in the removal of the tumour and reducing the need for a second surgery.
Pre-op breast MRIs also show the extent of the disease better than mammography or ultrasound, and is often able to detect additional cancers in the same breast or other breast. This information is very important in helping the patient and her medical team decide the best course of treatment.
Breast MRI is a useful tool for cancer staging and is not a substitute for screening mammography. Patients who are breast cancer gene carriers and therefore are at high risker risk for developing breast cancer, may be candidates for MRI screening, but should also be screened annually with mammography.
For more information on Breast MRI at Canada Diagnostic Centres, click here, or call us at 1-877-709-8522.
MRI can change diagnosis and treatment plan for knee problems
Did you know that using MRI for knee disorders can often change the diagnosis and treatment plan?
With an accurate diagnosis, confirmed by MRI, its easier for doctors and their patients to choose the best course of action – patients will get the more effective treatment.
A small study done by the Cleveland Clinic and presented in November at the Radiological Society of North America’s annual international conference found that an MRI changed the primary diagnosis in 37% of the cases and altered patient care in 29% of the cases including whether to do surgery or not, and which type of surgery to do.
The patients who were studied were all referred for MRIs by orthopedic or sports medicine doctors, who are the most skilled at evaluating knee problems. The study hypothesized that if the expert diagnosis changed, then diagnosis done by non-surgeons or non-sports med doctors would probably be effected more.
Looking for the right place to have your knee checked out? Our radiologists are all skilled musculoskeletal MRI interpreters and work closely with the sports medicine doctors and surgeons at Allan McGavin Sports Medicine at UBC. Call us today for more information at 1-877-709-8522 or visit us online at www.canadadiagnostic.com
And don’t forget to check out our options for pain management! http://www.canadadiagnostic.com/content/services/pain-management.php
MRI shows fish-filled diet helps lower Alzheimer’s risk
A study presented at last months Radiological Society of North America’s annual conference suggests that that eating baked or broiled fish weekly can reduce the risk of developing mild cognitive impairment and Alzheimer’s disease.
The study, done by University of Pittsburgh Medical Centre researchers, included MRI imaging of the brain’s grey matter volume over a 10 year period. The study established a direct relationship between fish consumption, brain structure, and the risk of Alzheimer’s disease.
Grey matter volume is crucial to brain health; when it increases, brain health is maintained. Decreases in grey-matter volume indicate that brain cells are shrinking.
Scientists think that the omega-2 fatty acids in the fish are benefitting the brain. Baked or broiled fish deliver more omega-3′s to the brain than does fried fish. Sadly, fish & chips aren’t the way to improve brain health!
The scientists found that having fish as little as once per week can increase brain grey-matter volume. The main message of the study is that the more baked or broiled fish you eat, the more grey-matter volume you will have as you age. Having more grey-matter in the future, will lessen your risk for Alzheimer’s.
Visit our website to find out more about MRIs, CTs and Ultrasounds. http://www.canadadiagnostic.com/content/services/T_Scans.php
or call us at 604-709-8522
The benefits of CT Calcium Scoring keep making news!
American Heart Association: CT Calcium Scoring broadens heart attack risk prediction – November 2011
Lancet: Coronary Calcium Scores are best for guiding statin therapy – August 2011
Journal of the American College of Cardiology: MESA results confirm prognostic value of CT calcium scoring – July 2011
Journal of the American College of Cardiology: Coronary Artery Calcium progression predicts mortality – December 2010
Journal of the American College of Cardiology: Adding CT calcium scoring to traditional risk factors increases accuracy in determining which risk category a patient should be placed in – October 2010
If you are age 50+, consider a CT Calcium Score to help you and your doctor determine your best course of action. Call us today at 1-877-709-8522 or email us at info@canadadiagnostic.com
Mayo Clinic study finds PRP safe and effective
A study done at the Mayo Clinic, and published in the October 2011 Journal of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, finds that needle tenotomy plus PRP is a “safe and effective treatment for chronic, recalcitrant tendinopathy”.
The patients who participated in the study each had stubborn tendon problems. The tendons treated in the study were located in the upper arms (including elbows), legs, ankles and feet.
The researchers at the Mayo Clinic used needle tenotomy (in simple terms, “poking” the tendon with a needle) before injecting the PRP into the injured tendon. Their aim was to create more surface area for the PRP to latch on to, increasing the amount of tissue regeneration stimulation that could occur.
Highly-concentrated platelet-rich plasma (hcPRP) is now available at Canada Diagnostic . Email us at info@canadadiagnostic.com or call us at 1-877-709-8522 to learn more.
November is Lung Cancer Awareness Month
This month, the spotlight turns to Lung Cancer.
According to the Canadian Cancer Society Lung cancer remains the leading cause of cancer deathfor both men and women. In 2011, an estimated 25,300 Canadians will be diagnosed with lung cancer and 20,600 will die of it. Up to 85% of all lung cancers are attributable to smoking.
If you are a smoker, or smoked in the past, you should consider a Lung scan at Canada Diagnostic as a screening test for the early detection of lung cancer.
Contact us today to book your scan.
Daily Aspirin May Help Prevent Colon Cancer
In big news last week, results of a study suggest that taking aspirin daily, may help prevent colon cancer in people who have a known genetic predisposition for the disease. After five years of taking the aspirin, high-risk patients in the study had their cancer risk reduced by 50%.
Aspirin alone – whether a person is high-risk or not – is not the entire solution. Regular screening for colon cancer is a MUST. There are several types of screening tests available including CT Colonography (“Virtual Colonoscopy”) which the American Cancer includes as one of its recommended screening exams. As part of his health check, President Obama underwent Virtual Colonoscopy last year.
Canada Diagnostic has been offering Virtual Colonoscopy since 2002. All of our Radiologists have full College of Physicians & Surgeons of BC Certification to read Virtual Colonoscopy. To learn more about Virtual Colonoscopy, please take a look at our info sheet: QA – Virtual Colonoscopy.
Contact us to learn more about Virtual Colonoscopy and other screening exams available. 1-877-709-8522 or info@canadadiagnostic.com.
Knee Injuries Rise Sharply in Kids
A presentation made in October 2011 at the American Academy of Pediatrics National Conference showed how knee injuries in children and teens have increased at “an alarming rate”.
Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) and meniscus tears in young people have each increased significantly over the past 10 years. What is causing this increase in diagnosed injuries? The most likely explanations are that many kids now play a single sport at a high level, year-round – increasing their chances for overuse and other injuries.
There is also increased awareness into injuries, increased use of MRI which can diagnose tears (xray cannot), and even earlier visits to an orthopedic specialist.
So, what is a parent or coach to do? There is increased emphasis on injury prevention in junior sport including screening for athletes who may be more at risk for these types of injuries. Athletes, parents and coaches should seek out injury prevention programs that can be added to the practice/training programs.
If you think your child has a knee or other injury, getting an accurate diagnosis and timely treatment will not only get them back playing sooner, but could prevent more long-term serious joint problems. Contact us today to find out how we can help. Canada Diagnostic Centres (BC) Ltd. 1-877-709-8522 / 604-709-8522 or info@canadadiagnostic.com
Stay Safe & Healthy!
CT Lung Cancer Screening – Named one of the Top 10 Medical Innovations for 2012
World-renowned Cleveland Clinic just held their annual Medical Innovation Summit and have announced their Top 10 Medical Innovations for 2012- the technologies and innovations that will have the biggest impact on healthcare next year.
Did you know that Lung Cancer is the #1 cause of cancer-related deaths in North America? Lung Cancer accounts for more deaths each year than Breast, Prostate, Colon and Pancreatic cancer combined. And now we have a tool that has been shown to help reduce the number of deaths each year from lung cancer.
The #2 Innovation is CT Lung Cancer Screening which the Medical Innovation Summit says:
This high-tech scan generates a series of detailed cross-sectional images of the lungs that are used to create a three-dimensional image. These scans can not only identify tumors earlier, but also spot them when the tumors are smaller and more treatable by surgery. Surgery is the best treatment for most types of lung cancer.
If caught earlier through screening, the potential to save lives is great: Upwards of 60 to 90 percent of lung cancers are curable in the early stages. Screening for colon, breast, and cervical cancer has been shown to reduce the risk of dying from these cancers compared to those who are not screened.
Find out more about CT Scans for the Early Detection of Lung Cancer at Canada Diagnostic Centres. Call us for more information, or book your Lung Cancer Screening with us today at 1-877-709-8522 or 604-709-8522
