T E L E 3 D I M A G I N G
MGH - Tele3D Relationship:
The MGH - Tele3D Imaging Service uses clinical protocols, research, and innovation developed, tested and refined at Massachusetts General Hospital, which has been a pioneer in the field of radiology for more than a century. The MGH 3D Imaging Service, which was established in 1999, is among the largest and most experienced such programs in the world and has remained at the forefront in advancing and enhancing 3D medical imaging technology.
3D imaging is a technique that uses advanced computer technology to take cross-sectional 2D scan images, such as from CT and MR, and convert the images into 3D models. The 3D images offer precise anatomical visualization for improved diagnosis and treatment planning. 3D imaging also allows for more accurate quantitative measurements to plan and assess treatments.
The MGH 3D Imaging Service launched its Tele3D service in 2009 to deliver clinically focused 3D services to hospitals throughout the country, enhancing the diagnostic and treatment services they can offer to patients.
Tele3D will enable hospitals to supplement or eliminate their costly 3D programs, enabling significant savings in equipment and staff and improving operational efficiency, with increased productivity for technologists and radiologists for high-margin procedures such as CT angiography (CTA) and MR angiography (MRA). Tele3D can help hospitals become more competitive in their regions by offering state-of-the-art 3D protocols and cutting edge technology that can be marketed to referring physicians and patients to help grow their practices.
James H. Thrall, MD, chief of the Department of Radiology at MGH and chairman of the American College of Radiology, says that the most important implication of moving into the 3D era is the prospect of better care for patients. "The extraordinary capabilities of 3D technology have enabled physicians to vastly improve their surgical planning and reduce invasiveness of the diagnostic process. In addition to the benefits to patient care, quality and safety, advanced quantitative image analyses enable more precise surrogate endpoints, which can help save significant expenses, and can save years in cancer clinical trial research."
Gordon J. Harris, PhD, director of the MGH 3D Imaging Service and associate professor of Radiology at Harvard Medical School, says that in many ways 3D technology has transformed the field of radiology. "The 3D imaging services developed and refined at the MGH during the past decade have greatly enhanced the diagnostic and treatment planning value of advanced imaging, reducing invasiveness and cost, and improving patient care. 3D imaging enables a radiologist or referring physician to view a concise summary of the anatomy and pathology in life-like display, whereas the original scan may involve sorting through 1,000 or more image slices. Our goal has been to make this expertise available to caregivers and patients far beyond our walls."