New radiologist invests in cutting-edge MR scanner

Polokwane, the hub of specialised medical care in Limpopo, was on Friday evening at the Pietersburg Club introduced to diagnostic radiologist, Willie Davel, who recently bought the well-established practice of Johan van der Merwe situated in the Radpath Centre at 54 Burger Street, adjacent to MediClinic Limpopo.
The function was well attended by various guests, including local medical practitioners and specialists.
Davel, who previously practiced in Swakkopmund, Namibia, saw a golden opportunity to establish himself in Polokwane and immediately invested in cutting-edge technology to enhance services to patients and consulting doctors in Polokwane and Limpopo.
Cutting-edge new MRI scanner
Davel’s decision to obtain the multimillion MRI scanner is especially of great significance and interest for exceptional patient care.
One of the attendees and speakers at the function, Richard de Villiers, a full-time radiologist at Winelands Radiology in the Western Cape as well as part-time musculoskeletal radiologist at Telemedicine Company in Spain and Teleradiology in South Africa (TRSA), expressed his excitement about the partnership that has been formed between TRSA and the radiology practice of Davel.
He emphasised that recent advances in technology offers immediate advantages for residents of Polokwane and Limpopo with specific reference to Davel’s acquired state-of-the-art Siemens MRI scanner combined with the subspecialty level reporting by TRSA radiologists.
Advanced imaging techniques now in Polokwane
“This brings advanced imaging techniques to your area,” he said and advised that residents no longer have to go to bigger centres to have their advanced imaging done as this is now available locally.
He said cutting edge radiology imaging and reporting can be done for sport injuries, orthopaedics, oncology, rheumatology, urology and neurology by the TRSA reporting team who have extensive experience and training in these medical fields.
Identification of better quantification of certain cancers
He also mentioned that major recent advances now mean that certain cancers can be identified and better quantified due to this advanced technology.
“Imaging of prostate, breast and gastrointestinal malignancies are good examples,” he said.
He added that reporting radiologists report for international, national and local sports teams and have extensive experience in the imaging of the injured athlete. “This will also offer the medical referral network an optimal service, which will mean better standard of health care for the patient in Polokwane.”
This service is available 365 days a year, without interruption.
Enormous progress of radiological sciences
Davel, with reference to the new high-end multislice MRI said the last decade has been witness to enormous progress in radiological sciences. “From advances in minimally invasive approaches to ever improving image clarity, there is little question that these developments provide tangible benefits to the clinical outcomes of patients.”
He said the aim of his service is to make patient visits to the practice as comfortable as possible. “We value the feedback of our patients and referrers in optimising our service delivery and minimising patient waiting times,” he said
Exceptional radiographers and admin staff
Davel further referred to his exceptional radiographers, including female staff sensitive to the needs of female patients requiring specialised women’s imaging. “Our administration staff can also handle all of your workers’ compensation cases, arranging approvals and dealing with insurance companies for you, making it easier for referrers and the patient,” he concluded.

Pasiëntvriendelike hoëtegnologie
MRI-skandeerder
Die nuwe multimiljoen rand Siemens Magnetom Aera MRI-skandeerder wat in Duitsland gebou is, is by uitstek pasiëntvriendelik en met die nuutste tegnologie feitlik geraasloos (tot 99% vermindering van akoestiese geraas tydens ‘n ondersoek).
Die skandeerder wat magnetiese resonansiebeelding (MRI) vasvang, is gebou uit die beste hoëkwaliteitmateriale en die sagteware van die masjien is so ontwikkel dat alle metale van prosteses uitgeskakel word. Die groter masjien maak dit maklik en gerieflik vir pasiënte wat kloustrofobies is en spasie nodig het.
Danksy die jongste tegnologie is die spoed van die skandeerder tot 46% vinniger met uitstekende isotropiese 3D-beeldkwaliteit (Tim4G) en ‘n verskeidenheid kontraste en toepassings om diagnoses akkuraat te maak.

Storie: WILLIE ESTERHUYSEN
>>willie.e@mwebbiz.co.za