POTSDAM -- Canton-Potsdam Hospital has installed a second computed tomography (CT) scanner on its main campus.

The new CT was installed in the Center for Cancer Care to be used as an additional machine to handle the increasing volume of studies being ordered, and perform double duty as a planning simulator for radiation therapy for cancer patients.

According to Dr. G. Michael Maresca, chief of the medical staff and chief of radiology, interventional radiology procedures using CT guidance have increased 25 percent between 2011 and 2012.

To date this year, procedures are up by 60 percent from 2012. “I expect this trend to continue to increase in IR usage, especially with the introduction of CT fluoroscopy,” said Maresca.

The CT scanner is expected for afford patients shorter wait times and same appointment “add-on” of interventional radiology procedures during the scan.

“It’s also aligned with our commitment to lowering patients’ exposure to harmful rays,” Maresca said.

“It’s equipped with real-time image dose reduction based on the unique attributes of individual patients’ anatomy, which reduces the dosage by up to 68 percent, while maintaining image quality,” he said.

“CT scanners are expensive and delicate pieces of equipment,” said Frank Torti, director of Oncology Services. “We’re sensitive to the balance between cost and quality, so we selected a model and positioned it in a location that optimizes multipurpose use,” he said.