‘Pioneer’ Petra First Koala to be Diagnosed Using a Philips Brilliance CT Scanner

Sydney, Australia – Today, Petra, a 13 year-old Koala from Sydney Wildlife World became the first Koala to be diagnosed in Australia with the help of a 16-Slice Brilliance CT (Computed Tomography) scanner from Philips at the University of Sydney Veterinary Hospital. 

Petra is suffering from a fungal disease in the nasal cavity called cryptococcosis caused by a fungus associated with eucalypts such as River Red Gum, a key source of nutrition for Koalas.

Mark Krockenberger, Senior Lecturer in Veterinary Pathology at the University of Sydney’s Faculty of Veterinary Science and leading researcher into infectious diseases affecting Australia’s native Koala population says the fungus is always fatal unless treated, and even then it is difficult to reach a successful outcome.

“We have treated a number of koalas with this disease, and hopefully Petra will be the third successful one,” said Dr. Krockenberger.

“Today’s CT scan will allow us to view the nasal cavity and soft tissue in detail never before available to a veterinary hospital, making this a truly remarkable event. It will help us determine the extent of the disease and allow us to form an effective management plan.”

Sydney University’s Veterinary Hospital is the only veterinary hospital in Australia using a 16-Slice Philips Brilliance CT and one of few such Veterinary Hospital’s in the world.  CT technology is generally involved in the diagnosis of human ailments such as cancer, making this application all that rarer.

Phil Prather, Business Manager – Imaging Systems, Philips Healthcare Australasia believes this is a truly groundbreaking use for the imaging system.

“Philips is thrilled to have partnered with the University of Sydney and Sydney Wildlife World to provide an improved imaging system, which will ultimately allow better diagnosis by the veterinary team and lessen the trauma on Petra,” said Prather.

The Sydney University Veterinary Science Foundation relies on donations to ensure it remains a leading research and teaching institution in Australia.

For more information about donations to the Veterinary Science Foundation please contact: Jacqueline Booth on (02) 9351 8024