The new Centre for Image-Guided Therapy (IGT), which offers a combined approach to diagnosis and treatment using minimally invasive procedures and state-of-the-art interventional radiology equipment, opens today at The Hospital for Sick Children (SickKids).

Instead of traditional, invasive surgery, surgeons, radiologists, physicians and anaesthesiologist work together using needles, catheters, wires and probes inserted through small incisions in combination with imaging equipment and tiny cameras, to examine and treat patients. Four suites equipped with CT scanners, ultrasound, fluoroscopy, laparoscopy, endoscopy, lasers and operating microscopy, make it possible for a patient to undergo multiple or combined procedures in one day, under one general anaesthetic, all in one location. The Centre also includes a five-bed observation room to be used for pre-procedure assessment and post-sedation recovery. 

“We strongly believe that our international reputation for excellence is dependent on three things: having the best people in the world work here; providing those people with the best tools and equipment so that they can do their jobs; and building both a physical and cultural environment that allow people to do their best work.” said Michael Strofolino, SickKids president and CEO. “This new Centre for Image-Guided Therapy is an example of bringing these three elements together so that we can continue to develop new and better treatments for the children we serve.”

Construction to replace the two existing cramped and minimally equipped IGT suites began in October 1998. Physicians, anaethesiologists, surgeons, and interventional radiologists from SickKids collaborated with architects, engineers, manufacturers and interior designers to design all aspects of the Centre.

“The equipment was made to our specifications and in particular for a paediatric population,” said Dr. Peter Chait, a SickKids interventional radiologist. It was also designed to meet the needs of the children and their families from colourful jester motifs that adorn the walls in waiting rooms and corridors to the ability to offer both diagnostic procedures and treatments under one roof.

The CT scanner is the first of its type in North America and one of only three in the world. It was designed in Japan and expanded to meet SickKids' requirements. Weighing more than 1.3 metric tons, the scanner travels on floor rails that are precisely balanced to move over the examining table to take images. The bearings are smooth making it possible for the scanner to be pushed by hand in the event of a power failure.

The C-Arm, which weighs 1.4 metric tons, moves on ceiling rails over the examining table. It uses short pulses of X-rays to reduce the radiation dosage. And, it is water cooled to reduce noise. The CT scanner, examining table and C-Arm communicate with each other via fibre optic links to assure their movements do not interfere with each other.

“For the first time ever, multiple disciplines can work at the same table,” said Dr. Jack Langer, head of General Surgery at SickKids. “Children and their families will benefit from greater access to new and innovative procedures, shorter recovery times, less time in hospital and better quality of life.”

Research in the new Centre will include the development and refinement of innovative procedures, evaluation of the technology and of different types of images, as well as comparison of outcomes looking at such factors as quality of life, long-term results for patients and cost-benefit analysis.