Akron Children’s First in Region to Offer EOS X-rays

AKRON, Ohio — A new system will allow Akron Children’s Hospital to produce full-body, 2D and 3D X-rays of patients in a standing position with a low dose of radiation.

The hospital added an EOS imaging system to its offerings – the first of its kind in northeastern Ohio, according to the EOS website. Cincinnati Children’s Hospital and Nationwide Children’s Hospital are the only other two locations in the state with the EOS technology

With EOS, patients seeing orthopedic specialists who need regular X-rays, such as those with scoliosis, will be exposed to much less radiation as they are assessed, the release states.

“The EOS is new, state-of-the-art technology that provides outstanding quality X-rays of the entire spine, while reducing radiation exposure to a fraction of that in traditional X-rays,” said Dr. Lorena Floccari, a pediatric spine surgeon in the department of Pediatric Orthopedics at Akron Children’s. “This improves our diagnostic capabilities while providing the highest level of safety to our patients at Akron Children’s Hospital. We are thrilled to offer this new technology to patients with a wide range of spine and other orthopedic conditions.”

According to the company, the EOS system offers 50% to 85% less radiation than traditional X-ray systems and 95% less dose than basic computed tomography (CT) scans, in accordance with the ALARA (As Low As Reasonably Achievable) principle for minimizing a patient’s exposure to radiation.

Reducing radiation dose is particularly beneficial for children requiring frequent imaging, such as children with spinal deformities like scoliosis, according to the release. The Micro Dose feature further reduces radiation exposure, offering frontal and lateral pediatric full spine images at a dose that’s equivalent to only a week’s worth of natural radiation.

In under 20 seconds, EOS captures highly detailed 3D models of a patient’s spine and lower limbs. The information better assists orthopedic surgeons with diagnosing the patient. Pairing the data with EOSapps allow for “precise, 3D surgical planning to help improve overall patient outcomes by identifying patients at risk and developing a customized surgical plan,” according to the release.

Pictured above: Vivian Wiley, registered X-ray tech, operates the EOS equipment at Akron Children’s Hospital.

Published by The Business Journal, Youngstown, Ohio.