Beyond Imaging - Diagnostic Consulting Center, Cockburn Central, WA

Beyond Imaging

    

"Beyond Imaging" is a unique concept in patient care conceived by Radiologist Dr. Luke Matar which grew out of his dissatisfaction with the limitations of traditional “Imaging practices” which did not allow him time to offer patients the very best in care. Work pressures and financial imperatives simply did not allow for the time to consult patients, advise them of what the imaging results meant, what treatment options were available (beyond those usually ordered by referring doctors) and what would best suit their individual circumstances.

Dr. Matar decided that there must be a better way to utilize his skills to help patients achieve better outcomes. "Beyond Imaging" allows him to offer diagnostic consultancy services, interventional pain management, sports medicine treatments, and also provide a growing number of new and novel treatments not available at most imaging centres. All through his affiliated business "The Vein Clinic" is also available to offer non surgical treatment of varicose veins.

Through 'Beyond Imaging' Dr Matar is also able to offer a diagnostic consultancy service for patients wishing to discuss imaging findings and what they mean as well as discuss treatment options prior to a procedure. This referral avenue also allows him to follow up the results of treatment and recommend or arrange for further investigations (such as MRI/bone scan) or referral to other appropriate specialists and allied health professionals.

Dr. Matar works in conjunction with Western Radiology and Imaging Central where he also provides reporting services. These businesses are new, modern, progressive and independently owned. They provide a venue that enables him to offer patients the best facilities for their interventions in a warm friendly, caring and non - rushed environment.

Dr. Matar has literally performed thousands of ultrasounds and CT guided interventional procedures and offers a wide range of procedures:

Ultrasound guided cortisone injections for bursae and soft tissue i.e.:

• Subacromial bursa
• Greater trochanter bursa
• Pes anserine bursa
• Olecranon bursa
• Prepatella bursa
• Iliotibial band friction syndrome
• Ganglion/Bakers cyst aspiration/Injection
• Carpal tunnel injection
• Trigger finger injection
• Plantar fasciitis injection
• De Quervain’s tenosynovitis injection
• Common extensor and flexor tendinopathy
• Flexor and extensor sheath injections
• Intermetatarsal bursitis
• Aspiration of calcific tendinitis
• Fine needle biopsies
• Breast, Thyroid, Soft tissue etc.

CT Arthrography:

• Knee
• Hip
• Shoulder
• Ankle

CT Guided cortisone injections of virtually any joint i.e.:

• Hip, Shoulder, Knee
• Hand, feet, wrist, ankle, subtalar joint
• AC joint, Pubic Symphysis, SI joint
• Temporomandibular joint injection
• Frozen shoulder - cortisone injection +/- hydrodilatation

Spinal injections:

Spinal injections are used to inject medications into the painful/injured area of the spine. Spinal injections can be used to diagnose (diagnostic) the cause of pain as well as treat (therapeutic) it.  There are different types of spinal injections, often referred to as spinal blocks. Medications are injected into different segments of your spinal column such as the epidural space, intervertebral space, nerve roots or facet joints, depending on your condition.

In a diagnostic block, only a contrast agent along with a local anaesthetic is used to determine the source of pain.  In therapeutic blocks, a contrast agent, local anaesthetic, and steroid are injected to reduce the pain and inflammation.

Spinal injections are usually performed under X-ray (fluoroscopy) guidance. This helps in accurate positioning of the needle. During this procedure, a local anaesthetic is injected around the affected region to produce numbness. This is followed by the injection of a contrast material to delineate the structures in and around your spine. Then a steroid is injected to reduce inflammation and decrease your pain. Once injected into the affected region, the medication travels through the entire length of the spine to coat the nerve roots and the lining of the facet joints. The affected region becomes numb, often relieving pain.

Before your injection, an allergy testing may be required to check if you are allergic to the contrast agent.

• Facet Joint Injections (Cervical/Thoracic and Lumbar)
• Nerve Root Sleeve Injections (Cervical, Thoracic, Lumbar)
• Epidural Injections - Transforaminal and inter-laminar lumbar injections
• Costotransverse joint injection
• Costovertebral joint injection
• Facet cyst injection/rupture
• Pars defect injection
• Sacrococcygeal joint injection and ganglion impar block for Coccydynia
• Greater occipital nerve blocks

Advanced and novel treatments (not fully covered by medicare) offered include:

• Platelet rich plasma injections for:
  • Common extensor/flexor tendinosis +/- partial tear
  • Achilles tendinosis +/- partial tear
  • Plantar fasciitis +/- partial tear
  • Rotator cuff tendinosis +/- partial tear
  • Gluteal tendinosis +/- partial tear
  • Hamstrings tendinosis +/- partial tear
  • Patellar tendinosis +/- partial tear
  • Acute ligament tears - MCL, ankle ligament tears
  • Osteoarthritis
• Viscosupplementation: with Hyaluronanfor treatment of early osteoarthritis of the Hip and Knee
• Alcohol ablation of Morton's Neuroma as an alternative to surgery
• Botox Injections for
  • Piriformis Syndrome
  • Axillary Hyperhidrosis
• Standard and ultrasound guided sclerotherapy for varicose/spider veins
• Dry needling and Prolotherapy (i.e. plantar fasciitis and Achilles tendinopathy)
• Paratenon stripping (Chronic Achilles tendiniopathy)