The event will be held at:

Brain & Spine Imaging Center
128 Lilly Road NE, Suite 101
Olympia, WA 98506

November 03, 2011 at 6:30 p.m.

3 Hours of Continuing Education. Credits are available.

Seating is limited, so please make Your reservation today by calling Carol at 360-464-6030

There is no charge for this event!

Complimentary Wine and Hors D’oerves will be served

Dr. Kaiser will discuss how the use of specialized MRI techniques and observations in diagnosing Spinal Instabilities has enabled MRI to be more sensitive and specific in the evaluation of Neck and Back pain.

Dr. Jay Kaiser

Dr. Kaiser founded National Orthopedic Imaging Associates (NOIA) in 1989. NOIA now provides specialized spine and musculoskeletal readings for 83 Orthopedic Centers in the United States and Singapore. He has published and lectured extensively on advanced diagnostic imaging of the lumbar and cervical spine and co-authored chapter five (“MRI And CT Imaging for Injuries of the Spine”) of the book “Motor Vehicle Collision Injuries” by Lawrence Nordhoff, DC. Dr. Kaiser is a member of the editorial review panel of the peer-reviewed journal “Spine”.

The NSIA network guarantees that all imaging done on its network will be completed by fellowship-trained radiologists with specific expertise in the area imaged.

Brain & Spine Imaging Center specializes in delivering the region’s most precise MRI scans. Our experienced and well trained staff utilizes the high-field GE 1.5 Tesla “Excite” MRI system. All Scans completed at BSIC are read by sub-specialized NSIA Radiologists and results are returned in 24-48 hours.

Used in conjunction with high-resolution imaging, SIENA (Structural Image Evaluation using Normalization of Atrophy) produces quantitative brain volume measurements that can precisely track brain shrinkage in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS).

Multiple sclerosis is believed to be caused by inflammation in the brain and spinal cord. Symptoms may include blurred vision, loss of balance, poor coordination, slurred speech, tremors, numbness, and extreme fatigue. Washington state has one of the highest MS rates in the nation.

James McDowell, MD, of Olympia Neurology

“Until now, MRIs have generated only adjectives,” said Olympia neurologist James McDowell, MD, who was instrumental in bringing the SIENA program to Brain & Spine Imaging Center. “Radiologists would look at the scans and give us reports that included things like ‘Moderate atrophy’ or ‘Somewhat worse than a year ago.’ But SIENA gives us numbers. And when we have specifics, we are much better equipped to prescribe the most effective medication.”

McDowell first heard about SIENA at a neurology conference, where researchers were discussing drug treatments for MS patients. They had used SIENA to assess the effects of various drugs and were impressed by the results the program provided.

McDowell shared what he’d learned with Ralph Koenker, MD – a neuro-radiologist at National Specialty Imaging Associates, a San Francisco area radiology group that interprets scans conducted at Brain & Spine Imaging Center.

Ralph Koenker, MD, of National Specialty Imaging Associates

Koenker flew to the United Kingdom and met with Oxford University researchers who had developed the SIENA program.

“This computerized approach is quite sophisticated,” Koenker said. “We use carefully tuned thin-section MRI scans to generate a three-dimensional virtual model of the brain; in turn, this high resolution MRI data is electronically sent to our specially configured computer which runs the UNIX based SIENA program. Highly accurate numbers indicating the amounts of gray and white matter are then provided.” Koenker said the ability to compare white matter loss over time is very important in helping physicians determine whether more aggressive treatment plans should be implemented.

Brain & Spine Imaging Center began using the SIENA program in December 2009. There is no additional charge for MRIs that utilize the SIENA software.

“Brain & Spine is one of only 10 to 15 facilities in the nation that offers SIENA,” Koenker said. “This is something you typically see only at university hospitals.”

Koenker said SIENA “may also have implications for treating patients with Alzheimer’s and dementia.”

What you get when you choose Brain & Spine Imaging Center:

• Easy scheduling.
  Physicians simply need to fax us the patient information and we will make the contact and set up the appointment.
• Minimal wait-time.
  Most scans are completed within two working days of receiving the referral call from the physician’s office.
• State-of-the-art equipment.
  Featuring the GE 1.5 Excite MRI system.
• Access to SIENA software.
  Cutting-edge technology assesses brain atrophy in MS patients. Click here to learn more.
• Rapid report delivery.
  Reports faxed to the patient’s physician within 4 to 24 hours after the appointment.
• Accuracy.
  All of our tests are read by National Specialty Imaging Associates. This means that a neuroradiologist specializing in the area being scanned will provide analysis.
• Patient comfort.
  Our short-bore, whole-body imaging system is designed with open, flared ends to alleviate patient anxiety.
• Clean, comfortable atmosphere.
• Courteous, professional staff.
• Competitive pricing.
• ACR accredited facility.
  Brain & Spine Imaging Center is accredited by the American College of Radiology.

Brain & Spine Imaging Center is owned by the physicians of Olympia Neurology PLLC. If you wish to have MRI services at a different location, please ask our staff for a list of local MRI providers.

Patients must have a physician’s referral in order to schedule an appointment.

Following your appointment at Brain & Spine Imaging Center, a fellowship-trained neuroradiologist from NSIA will read your scan and provide diagnosis. Reports will be forwarded to your physician’s office within 24 hours.

Because all scans are interpreted by sub-specialty trained experts, Brain & Spine Imaging Center patients are guaranteed the highest quality assessment and the most efficient service.

“The complex anatomy of the brain and spine warrants an extra degree of sub-specialty review,” said Dr. Leo Kesting of Olympia Neurology. “Having our scans read by world-class neuroradiologists will help ensure the proper interpretation for our patients.”

Additional information about NSIA is available at http://www.nsiaimaging.com/.