History

History of Institute of Diagnostic Radiology

First roentgen cabinet was opened in year 1910 in Riga's 2^nd Clinical Hospital, now called Paula Stradina Clinical University Hospital.

The beginning of Institute of Diagnostic Radiology was considered in year 1928 when chief of roentgenology course under auspices of Latvian University Medicine Faculty, profesor Eižens Vēbers together with his assistants Kristaps Butulis and Stefānija Linkoviča transformed it into roentgenology institute (department). Historically, it was one of the oldest departments in Eastern European countries, as well as the only one in the Baltics. Professor E. Vēbers as chief put in lot of effort to develop the institute, whose historic name remains until today, adorned with at institute's entrance. Professor called for compulsory lectures and classes for Faculty of Medicine students in roentgenology which contributed to the popularity of this medical branch among students. In ten years time, the number of examinations at institute increased more than threefold, which led to the acquisition of new and advanced roentgen-diagnostic and roentgen-therapeutic equipment. In year 1937, several new roentgen cabinets were created equipped with ‘'Siemens" company machines which worked perfectly until the year 1968.

Roentgenology institute became a post-graduate training and professional development base, which until year 1940 trained about 40 doctors, from whose perspective E. Vēbers assembled around him young doctors who eventually became well-known specialists: Pauls Neibergs, Jānis Zemzars, Tihons Bielijs, Vilhelms Pampe, Jānis Lediņš, etc.

Professor E. Vēbers as leader of roentgenology institute continued his work until the autumn of year 1944, when associate professor Jēkabs Romāns took over as chief of LU Medicine Faculty, and led till year 1953.

Tihons Belijs, a student of professor E. Vēbers, continued to lead the roentgenology course after   associate professor Jēkabs Romāns death, till the year 1956. In the beginning of year 1956, Riga Medical Institute Roentgenology Department was restored, and military roentgenologist associate professor Aleksandrs Poļakovs became chief, but in year 1957, a renewed leadership of department was set in motion by professor Jevgēnijs Nemiro.

In year 1958, roentgenology branch developed further, and it appeared necessary to put into shape one more roentgenology department, which in the following years was named as thoracic radiology department, whose chief was Dr. Vladimirs kosinskis, and in following years Dr. Zigrīda Brilovska, and Dr. Valts Raits. In its turn abdominal radiology department was founded in historic premises of the institute, which was led by roentgenologist Baldūrs Apinis.

In month of april, year 1993, radiologist Atis Arnolds Veinbergs became chief of restored Institute of Diagnostic Radiology (DRI), which successfully works even today.

Since year 2008, chief of Institute is radiologist Dr. Zanda Runkule.

 

Equipment:

• In year 1937 - conventional roentgen equipment "Siemens" was acquired.
• In year 1954 - first conventional tomography (produced in the Soviet Union), was used for examination of chest cavity organs.
• In year 1967 - the first electron optical picture enhancer "Philips" (image amplification 8000 times).
• In year 1969 - angiography equipment with television control system and automatic contrasting and serial filming device of "Siemens" brand were acquired.
• In year 1969-70 - three image enhancers with television and video equipment, making documentation of procedure possible.
• In year 1983 - the first Computed Tomography (CT) equipment of "Siemens" was established, the first of its kind in Baltic region.

 

Methods:

• In year 1954 - Tomography examination of thoracic cavity organs (professor Jevgēnijs Nemiro).
• In year 1957 - cardio-angiography : contrast enhanced examination of heart and large blood vessels (professor Jevgēnijs Nemiro).
• In year 1958 - lymphangiography: contrast enhanced imaging of lymphatic system (Dr. Aivars Stengrēvics, oncologist).
• In year 1963 - pneumomediastinography for diagnosis of mediastinal pathology (professor Jevgēnijs Nemiro).
• From year 1961-63 - cerebral and abdominal angiography (Dr. Valts Raits).
• In year 1970 - abdominal angiography with probing of blood vessel branch (associate professor Pauls Zlemets).
• In year 1970 - bronchial and coronary artery probing, medication administration, and endovascular manipulation (Dr. Juris Jansons, Andis Dombrovskis, Aigars Migals, Aigars Lismanis).
• In year 1975 - electro-roentgenography : film acquisition on repeatedly available electro-statically charged selenium semiconductor plates.
• In year 1980 - Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangiopancreatography (ERCP): catheterization of the ducts in the biliary tree and pancreas and contrast substance administration (Dr. Baldūrs Apinis, Dr. Med. Valentīna Baruļina, Dr. Andris Laganovskis).
• In year 1983 - Computed Tomography (Dr. Valts Raits, Doc. Rasma Heniņa, Dr. Jānis Līcītis).
• In year 2000 - Magnetic Resonance.
• In year 2003 - invasive neuroradiology: endovascular embolization of intracranial aneurysms (Dr. K. Kupčs, Gyula Gal (Sweden)).
• In year 2006 - Bi-planar angiography suite.
• In year 2006 - 16 multi slice Computed Tomography (CT).
• In year 2008 - 64 multi slice Computed Tomography (CT).