Diagnostic Imaging
The Diagnostic Imaging Service has two dedicated radiography suites, one for routine radiography and the other for specialist techniques such as myelography, as well as a state of the art CT scanner. A mobile image intensifier is used for intraoperative radiography. The radiologists also do ultrasonography for all noncardiac applications in small animals, including ultrasound guided biopsy.
The Diagnostic Imaging Service in the hospital includes:
- Two radiography suites
- Intraoperative radiography
- Ultrasonography
- Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)
- CT scanner
Ultrasound Clinic
An outpatient ultrasound clinic is available weekdays. Our radiologists perform ultrasound examinations on out-patients using a state of the art ultrasound system, enabling evaluation of a variety of body parts and reducing the need for exploratory surgery.
MRI Facility
A mobile MRI scanner is available on a weekly basis at the Hospital. This is an extremely useful facility which is available for outpatients as well as for inpatients. We deal with kennelling, anaesthetic procedures and reporting for all your MRI cases. Scans are carried out by specialist technicians and interpreted by our radiologists. Our anaesthetists are on hand to provide optimal care, particularly for high risk patients.
Mail-in Radiographic Interpretation
A rapid radiograph reporting service is available for veterinary surgeons in practice. To use this service, you simply need to send in your radiographs with a brief history of the case clearly marked for the attention of our Radiology Service, The Queen Mother Hospital for Animals, Hawkshead Lane, North Mymms, Nr Hatfield, Herts AL9 7TA. For further details, please phone the veterinary surgeons' line (01707 666365).
CT Scanner
The CT also known as computed axial tomography or "CAT scan" measures electronically the absorption of x-rays by structures within the body and produces images with similar properties to conventional radiographs.
CT has two major advantages:
- Images represent thin slices through the body, which eliminates the problem of superimposition of structures that affects conventional radiographs.
- Tissues of similar attenuation can be distinguished whereas they would appear the same in conventional radiographs.
The scanner is based on a helical CT designed for humans with the addition of a detachable table to support the weight of equine patients. The engineering of the table is particularly impressive: fully loaded, the table top glides easily allowing precise positioning of the patients and rapid scan acquisition.
There is a wide range of clinical applications for small animals including detailed examination of the head, investigation of suspected mediastinal or pulmonary disease, through abdominal examination, including the pancreas, and assessment in dogs with suspected fragmented coronoid process.
This facility has greatly increased our capability to investigate a variety of small animal and equine conditions.
Key Clinicians
Chris Lamb
Chris has worked at The RVC since 1992. He is Senior Lecturer in Radiology, Head of the Radiology Service and Head of the Small Animal Medicine & Surgery Group. Outside College, he has administrative duties for both the ACVR and the ECVDI. He is a frequent contributor to CPD.
Pete Mantis
Pete is Senior Lecturer in Radiology. He is a European Specialist in Veterinary Diagnostic Imaging and an RCVS Recognized Specialist in Diagnostic Imaging. Pete is a regular author, speaker and tutor on the subjects of small animal radiology, ultrasonography, computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging.
Lizza Baines
Lizza is a Lecturer in Diagnostic Imaging at the Queen Mother Hospital for Animals (QMHA). She is an RCVS Specialist in Diagnostic Imaging and a European Specialist in Veterinary Diagnostic Imaging.
Livia Benigni
Livia is a Lecturer and a European Specialist in Veterinary Diagnostic Imaging. She is primarily involved with the clinical work, clinical research, residents training and intramural teaching at the Queen Mother Hospital. Livia also regularly provides diagnostic imaging CPD at the RVC and abroad.
Frederic David
Andrew Parry
Andrew is a Senior Clinical Training Scholar in Veterinary Diagnostic Imaging. This three year post is designed to equip him as a specialist in veterinary diagnostic imaging.
Chris Warren-Smith
Chris is a Senior Clinical Training Scholar in Veterinary Diagnostic Imaging.