Presently, the Department has three sections. These are the Diagnostic Radiology, Ultrasound, and CT Scan Sections. Under the Section of Diagnostic Radiology are two stationary machines, namely:
  • Hitachi Medix with remote fluoroscopy (donated by the DOH in 2000) and
  • Trophy X-ray machine without fluoroscopy
    Both are used for plain studies as well as for contrast studies. The section also has:
  • 2 portable Hitachi X-ray Machines (Sirius 125 MP) which are used for patients in the Emergency Room and ICU
  • Hitachi C-Arm DSA which is located in the Operating Room
     Before the fire, as much as 180 to 200 chest radiographs were done on a daily basis. Nine years after the fire and six years after the re-opening of the Center, the number of chest radiographs alone has reached 120 per day, and is steadily rising. The number is expected to reach the pre-fire census in a year or two. The section is gearing up for this with the acquisition of new machines and the computerization of patient data and radiological interpretations to facilitate speedy and efficient release of results.
    Under the Section of Ultrasound a multi-frequency-wideband imaging machine is being used (Hitachi EUB-6500). The machine contributes to enhanced clinical diagnosis through digital beamformers designed for bandwidths between 1.5 and 25 MHz. The Hitachi ultrasound probes offer up to five frequency ranges in B-mode, four in dynamic Tissue-Harmonic-Imaging (dTHI) and two for Color and Spectral Doppler Imaging. Hence, it is used for general ultrasound (ultrasound of the abdomen, hemithorax, small parts – thyroid, breast, scrotum, etc.), for guidance of fine needle aspiration biopsy of lung and mediastinal masses, for therapeutic interventions (i.e. aspiration of liver cysts) as well as for 2D Echochardiography and Doppler Studies which were recently introduced in 2000.

     Under the Section of Computed Tomography, a service recently included in those offered by the Radiology department in 2002 is a CT Scan using a sub-second spiral scanner (Hitachi Pronto VE). The "one monitor and sub-panel" system of Hitachi ensures fine resolution computing of large volumes of data. Pronto VE can do 0.8 second scanning with outstanding image quality. Image reconstruction is as fast as one second. This machine is used extensively for Cranial, Head & Neck, Chest and Abdominal CT scans, as well as for interventional procedures (i.e. CT Scan-guided Fine Needle Aspiration Biopsies).

     The Radiology Department of the Lung Center of the Philippines has embarked on the Radiotheraphy Section reconstruction in the first quarter of 2007 to expand the following:

  1. Radiation therapy;
  2. Brachytherapy; and
  3. Simulation/treatment Planning

     With the proposed acquisition of a linear accelerator, brachytherapy, simulator and computerized planning system, the section will be able to serve 80 to 100 patients a day. The bulk of projected cases is expected to be that of pulmonary tumor. Majority of patients in such cases come from the low income bracket. Other cases include breast cancer, prostate cancer, cervical cancer, bone matastasis, etc. Radiation therapy is designed to provide curative and/or palliative treatment for a significant number of patients afflicted with cancer.

     Corollary to its programmed expansion of services in the next five years, there is a plan to acquire a dual-head Gamma camera to provide the needed restoration of Nuclear Medicine services.

     The Department continues to grow in terms of the acquisition of new generation machines, the continuous rise in the number of patients it serves, and an increase in the number of highly-qualified medical staff and personnel.

     All this is in keeping with the Center’s Mission and Vision.

 

Radiology Department, Lung Center of the Philippines
Quezon Avenue, Quezon City, 1104 Philippines
Telephone Number: 924-61-01
Email: radiology@lcp.gov.ph