News

First Year Offering This State-of-the-Art Imaging

By Trish Yerges, for Grande Ronde Hospital

September is Prostate Cancer Awareness Month—a reminder that men age 50 and older should talk with their primary provider about prostate screening. Prostate cancer is the second most common cause of cancer death in men, but early detection through screening and advanced imaging can save lives.

Grande Ronde Hospital (GRH) is proud to announce that it now offers prostate MRIs in its diagnostic imaging department. This service, available locally since March, means patients no longer need to travel to Tri-Cities or Boise for this critical test.

“Last month, we performed 12 prostate MRI exams,” said Troy Juniper, GRH Radiology Manager. “Before we offered this service, those patients would have had to leave the community. It’s an honor to bring this level of care close to home.”

The diagnostic imaging team, led by Juniper and Supervisor Carleen Burton, oversees seven imaging services at the hospital as well as those offered at GRH clinics and Urgent Care. PET scans are also provided every other week.

Growing Expertise
Radiologist Dr. Matthew Kay, who joined GRH in January, shared that the department has access to two sub-specialists who read prostate MRI images. With demand rising, GRH expects to expand to four sub-specialists by year’s end.

“We started with just one at the beginning of the year,” Kay explained. “The need keeps increasing, and this expansion will ensure patients get timely, expert interpretations.”

What Patients Should Know
Screening begins in the primary care office with a digital rectal exam (DRE) and a Prostate-Specific Antigen (PSA) blood test. If results are abnormal, a referral is typically made to a urologist, who may then recommend a prostate MRI.

Unlike traditional imaging, a prostate MRI uses magnetic fields and radio waves—not radiation—to produce detailed, three-dimensional images. The test takes about an hour and generates roughly 600 images, often with the use of a contrast dye.

“Prostate MRIs help detect or confirm cancer, guide biopsies, assist with treatment planning, and monitor response to therapies,” Kay said.

Preparing for the Exam
Patients preparing for a prostate MRI will be asked to:
• Avoid food for four hours beforehand.
• Complete an enema at home.
• Avoid ejaculation for 72 hours prior.
• Wear clothing without metal or use a hospital gown.

If a patient is claustrophobic, they can request a prescription sedative. The scanner at GRH has a wide opening—27.5 inches across—and patients receive a squeeze ball to alert technicians if they need a break.

“The technologists explain each sequence before it begins, so patients know what to expect,” Juniper said.

Seamless Care
After the exam, images are stored in GRH’s Picture Archiving and Communications System (PACS) and shared electronically through PowerShare, a secure cloud platform connecting GRH to nearly 300 hospitals, clinics, and specialists nationwide.

“It has really changed the efficiency of patient care,” Juniper noted.

Takeaway
If you are 50 or older—or have a family history of prostate cancer—talk with your primary provider about prostate screening. Early detection can save lives, and now, advanced prostate MRI imaging is available right here at GRH.