Firefighters face great risk when battling a flaming building, but it could be what happens before and after that’s most dangerous.
‘Heart disease poses a higher risk to firefighters ? it’s a huge issue,? said Dr. Marc Kahn, medical director for Associated Radiologists of Clarkston.
As a community service to local firefighters, AROC is offering free scans on their state-of-the-art, 64-slice Computed Tomography Scanner.
‘It’s an underutilized tool, especially in this population,? Kahn said. ‘If we find even one problem, as far as I’m concerned, we did our job.?
The Toshiba AquilionR CT system produces highly detailed images of the entire body, bones, internal organs, circulatory system, in as little as 10 seconds.
Dan DeLongChamp, 54, Independence Township firefighter for the past 35 years, is one of four so far to accept their offer.
‘It’s great, excellent ? I’d recommend it for anybody,? DeLongChamp said. ‘I’m approaching retirement, so when they offered it, I thought I’d have it done.?
The scanner uses X-rays and computer technology to create cross-sectional images, or slices, of the body, making it easier to see plaque build-up and other warning signs of heart attack and stroke, as well as cancer.
‘This technology enables just about anyone to have a high-quality CT scan, including claustrophobic or anxious patients, children and those with difficulty breathing,? Kahn said. ‘I continue to be amazed at the precise detail of the images produced on this machine, particularly when it comes to the imaging of coronary arteries using CT angiography.?
Kahn said CT angiography is a ‘virtual catheterization? procedure, offering patient and doctor a view of heart and vessels without invasive catheter insertion of standard angiograms.
The CT scanner is housed in AROC’s new imaging facility in the Clarkston Medical Building, 5701 Bow Pointe Drive in Independence Township.
CT imaging shows show soft tissue, such as the brain, as well as dense tissue such as bone. The information gathered during a CT scan is processed by a computer and interpreted by a radiologist to diagnose, or rule out, disease.
Most CT scan procedures take about 5-15 minutes. Depending on the type of procedure, patients may be required to drink an oral contrast solution or receive a contrast injection. Scan results are usually provided to the patient’s physician usually within 24 hours.
AROC offers a diverse range of diagnostic imaging services in the Clarkston Medical Building as well as its original location, 7210 North Main Street.
Kahn, a board-certified radiologist with expertise in general and interventional radiology, oversees diagnostic and preventive imaging techniques at both imaging centers. He is a member of the American Medical Association; Michigan State Medical Society; Wayne County Medical Society; Society of Cardiovascular & Interventional Radiology; American College of Radiology; American Heart Association; and the Radiologic Society of North America.
For more information about AROC, call 248-620-5012 or visit www.arocimaging.com.