With the combination of the state-of-the-art Spectral CT 7500 computer tomograph from Philips and stereotactic navigation via the CAS-One IR system from Cascination, the WEGE Clinic in Bonn has an absolutely unique selling point in the German healthcare sector. We spoke to Prof. Dr. med. Attila Kovács, the internationally renowned head physician of the Clinic for Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology and Neuroradiology at the WEGE Clinic, about the advantages of the new technology.
Prof. Kovács, what makes the new procedure so special?
Kovács: The dual-energy technology of the Spectral CT 7500 from Philips already offers a whole range of advantages in diagnostics. Spectral technology imaging is a real game changer and significantly expands the previously known computer tomography. Previously, there were the three dimensions of space and, as a fourth dimension, the density of the tissue. Now a fifth dimension has been added: spectral absorption.
What is the advantage of this?
Kovács: Thanks to spectral absorption, we can finally assess what classic computed tomography has so far been unable to do, namely the atomic composition of the examined tissue. iodine, calcium, metal, blood clots – all of these can now be assigned with precision. The advantages for everyday diagnostics are obvious: we can now specifically suppress interfering high-contrast structures such as calcifications or metal implants, so that vascular constrictions can be assessed despite arteriosclerosis. In addition, patients with joint prostheses and other implants, such as pacemakers and defibrillators, can also be examined without any problems.
How is this possible?
Kovács: “Structures that were previously represented uniformly in grey with a similar X-ray density can now be clearly distinguished from each other in color – this is due to the limited grayscale perception of the human eye compared to color perception. In medical diagnostics, this gives us two advantages that cannot be overestimated: On the one hand, spectral technology leads to improved sensitivity – i.e. the ability to better detect diseases. On the other hand, it also leads to an increase in specificity – the more reliable classification of the disease found, for example whether it is benign or malignant, and other details. First and foremost, our patients benefit from this because they are spared uncertainties, delays and multiple examinations. In short: during the initial examination, we not only find out with greater certainty whether there is a problem, we also know more precisely what the problem is.
Does this also make the examinations less stressful?
Kovács: Yes, that is a very important point that cannot be emphasized often enough. The higher sensitivity and specificity allow us to avoid multiple examinations and thus reduce the radiation dose and save on contrast agents. So this is good news for patients: they can expect an improved quality of diagnosis of their complaints, while at the same time we can significantly reduce the physically stressful elements of CT imaging, such as radiation dose and lodging. As virtual non-contrast images can now also be calculated from a single phase, we can save many multi-phase examinations. This also protects patients.
You are the first and so far only clinic in Germany to combine Spectral CT from Philips with stereotactic navigation from Cascination for minimally invasive therapies. How do you benefit from this?
Kovács: As is generally known, our internationally recognized expertise is in minimally invasive precision medicine. And just as spectral technology is a game changer in diagnostics, it also provides us with a quantum leap in so-called keyhole interventions. In personalized cancer therapy, we use the new quality of spectral imaging in a targeted manner to take into account the heterogeneity of malignant cells within a tumour in therapy and to navigate in order to eliminate tumours that are difficult to access effectively, precisely and gently for the patient. In addition to these innovations in image guidance, we can also offer completely new procedures in interventional oncology: for example, electrochemotherapy, or “ECT” for short – here, tailored tumor therapeutics are directed precisely into the malignant tissue using electric shocks. And with maximum protection of the surrounding tissue. We played a pioneering role in the development of this technology and are proud to have been the first in the world to carry out this form of therapy with combined spectral and stereotactic control.
But it’s not just cancer patients who benefit from minimally invasive treatment options, is it?
Kovács: That is correct. There is a much wider range of applications, including the treatment of benign organ enlargements such as benign prostate enlargements or benign tumors of the uterus. Malignant neoplasms in organs such as the liver can also be treated very well using minimally invasive techniques. The spectrum extends to bloodless procedures on inflamed joints, for example in cases of osteoarthritis of the knee, painful shoulders, tennis elbow and golfer’s elbow. In all these procedures, we naturally benefit from the new possibilities offered by the combination of Spectral CT from Philips and stereotactic navigation via the CAS-One IR from Cascination. This gives us a whole new level of diagnostic certainty and allows us to explore new avenues in therapy. This is all the more important as diagnostic and interventional radiology is increasingly developing into an irreplaceable linchpin of modern medicine – there is virtually no therapy without prior imaging. This must be uncompromisingly reliable at the first attempt. And that is exactly what we can do.
About the WEGE-Klinik and the WEGE MVZ
The WEGE-Klinik was founded in 1937 by radiologist Robert Janker as the Robert Janker Clinic and has developed into one of the leading specialist clinics for the treatment of tumor diseases. The clinic in Bonn’s Dottendorf district is the largest radiotherapy clinic in Germany. The WEGE Clinic offers inpatient and outpatient care in the fields of radiotherapy and radiooncology, radiosurgery, interventional and diagnostic radiology and neuroradiology as well as palliative medicine. The WEGE Clinic uses innovative procedures such as embolization of prostate and liver diseases, CT-navigated fusion biopsies, stereotactic treatments of the brain, lungs, prostate and breast as well as brachytherapy for male and female reproductive organs. From 1998 to 2023, the clinic was part of the MediClin AG group of clinics.
Together with the new owner Mercurius Health (since January 2023), the strategic realignment and a transformation process were initiated, which also led to a new brand identity and the new name WEGE-Klinik. WEGE stands for: Knowing. Empathetic. Together. Committed. The WEGE Clinic has 83 beds. Outpatient care is provided by the Medical Care Center for Radiotherapy and Neurosurgery, WEGE MVZ for short.
About Mercurius Health
Mercurius Health Group is one of Europe’s leading providers of advanced oncology solutions, specializing in radiotherapy and nuclear medicine for hospitals and cancer centers.
With more than 35 years of experience, the highly specialized team has enormous expertise in state-of-the-art radiotherapy and nuclear medicine equipment and procedures, as well as in the construction and management of oncology facilities. Mercurius Health focuses on strategic partnerships with healthcare facilities to provide state-of-the-art treatments to their oncology patients. The solutions include the management of the entire project to develop new services or install new equipment, from planning, selection and procurement of equipment to project implementation, operation and financing.
The Mercurius Health Group operates its own centers such as the WEGE-Klinik (formerly Robert Janker Klinik), a renowned oncology hospital in Bonn, and CADPET, a nuclear medicine network in Spain. This means that the clinical, technical and management teams are always up to date and benefit from ongoing improvements in their projects.