Ultrasound good news for patients
THE Townsville Hospital is the first public hospital in the state to use an enhanced ultrasound to detect the complication of leaks in repaired aneurisms.
The leaks called endoleaks can result from the repair of abdominal aortic aneurisms.
Vascular sonographer Bonita Lefevre said endoleaks occurred when remaining blood flowed into the aneurysm, which could have adverse outcomes for the patient.
“The contrast enhanced ultrasound uses microbubbles as a contrast agent, which is injected into the patient and using a special setting on the ultrasound machine, it is seen in the bloodstream until it reaches the repaired aneurysm to identify an endoleak,” she said.
Ms Lefevre said the ultrasound meant patients did not need to leave the ward and it only took about 15 minutes.
Vascular surgeon Dr Vicky White said the procedure could identify whether a patient needed further surgical intervention to fix the leak.
“This is a great service to offer patients and is a good demonstration of how new technology can improve personcentred care and the patient experience by offering simplified and more timely care,” Dr White said.