SPOTLIGHT -
CT Scan Identifies Risk for COPD Exacerbation
CT imaging can identify pulmonary artery enlargement, which is associated with exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
Some Radiologists Overestimate Mammography Skills
Radiologists have a higher level of confidence in their ability to interpret mammograms than their performance may indicate.
Educational Prep Helps Kids Undergo MRIs Without Sedation
A brief intervention program makes it easier for children as young as 5 years old to stay still during MRI exams so they can be scanned without sedation.
Medical Imaging Not Driving Escalating Medicare Costs
The use of non-invasive diagnostic imaging has evolved and fewer such tests are being performed, so it’s not to blame for rising Medicare costs, according to a new study.
MRI Scanner Exposure Affects Workers in Immediate Vicinity
The powerful magnetic fields and radio waves used by MRI scanners appear to affect the concentration and visuospatial awareness of exposed workers.
Novel Non-invasive Test Identifies Coronary Artery Disease
Non-invasive fractional flow reserve plus CT is superior to CT alone for diagnosing significant coronary artery disease among stable patients.
Ultra-Fast CT Scan Accurately Assesses Coronary Blockages
Computed tomography imaging performed with an ultra-fast 320-detector scanner accurately assesses the need for cardiac angioplasty.
MRI Shows Memory Changes Following Traumatic Brain Injury
MR imaging demonstrates that mild traumatic brain injury affects working memory function, even if there is no obvious change in behavior.
Breast Density Doesn’t Increase Risk of Dying from Cancer
Women with dense breasts have an increased risk of developing breast cancer, but that doesn’t raise their risk of dying from breast cancer.
MRI Shows Brain Blood Flow Blockages Not Specific to MS
MRI shows that chronic cerebrospinal venous insufficiency is likely an accessory process to multiple sclerosis and not necessarily related to the disease.
Iterative Reconstruction Cuts Dose for CT for Urinary Stones
CT radiation doses for urolithiasis reduced with adaptive statistical iterative reconstruction allows for effective evaluation without affecting image quality.
Patient-Controlled Access Registry Aids in Image Sharing
A patient-controlled registry allows imaging data to be shared without placing undue burdens on the patients, providers or infrastructures.
Functional MRI Shows Effects of Leukoaraiosis in Elderly
Use of functional MRI scans to detect leukoaraiosis benefits patients undergoing brain mapping for surgery or other treatments.
Quality Improvement Program Cuts Inappropriate CCTA Exams
Applying a systematic continuous quality improvement program can significantly reduce the number of inappropriately recommended coronary CT angiography exams.
3D Digital Watermarks Protect Transmitted Medical Images
Digital watermarks can determine if volumetric medical images have been altered by hackers or other parties, and what areas have been affected.
White Children More Likely to Receive Head CTs
White children at low risk for brain injury are more likely to receive CT scans in the emergency room - often because of parental anxiety or request.
Breast Cancer Awareness and Education Needed in Pakistan
One-fifth of practitioners in Pakistan didn’t think breast cancer occurred there, researchers found. Education is needed, they say, for early detection.
PET/MRI Comparable to PET/CT in Staging Lung Cancer
PET/MR imaging offers comparable diagnostic image quality and tumor delineation in staging of lung cancer to PET/CT - with less radiation exposure.
Autopsies Can Help Radiologists Sharpen Skills
Radiologists can sharpen their interpretation skills by reviewing autopsies and learning from missed diagnoses.
Stage IV Cancer Patients Undergo More Diagnostic Imaging
Most Medicare patients with stage IV breast, colorectal, lung, or prostate cancer undergo more high-cost imaging scans than do those with early stage disease.
CCTA Helps Diagnosis Heart Disease in Low-Risk Patients
Adding coronary CT angiography to the evaluation of low-risk patients presenting to the emergency department with chest pain reduced hospital stay.
Medical Imaging Rates Slowed Sharply Since 2006
Advanced imaging use has declined significantly among Medicare and privately insured patients over the past seven years, according to a Health Affairs study.
ABUS Effective Screening Alternative to MRI
Automated breast ultrasound (ABUS) is as effective as MRI in breast cancer screening in women with dense breast tissue, researchers say.
iPads Reliable Tool to Assess MR Images
Physicians can rely on iPads to provide MR images that are on par with DICOM calibrated secondary-class monitors, researchers say.
MRI Detects Higher Sodium Concentration in Advanced MS
Sodium MRI may help physicians monitor the level of total sodium concentration levels in the brain, which increase dramatically in the advanced stages of MS.
Breast Cancer Mortality Dip Not Related to Mammo Program
The decline in breast cancer mortality in Sweden is not associated with the country’s nationwide breast cancer screening program, researchers say.
PET with Florbetapir Predicts Cognitive Decline
Amyvid with PET imaging of the brain detects early evidence of Alzheimer’s in patients with mild decline or who are not yet showing cognitive impairment.
Screening for AAA Among Older Men Most Cost-Effective if Done Twice
It is most cost-effective to screen men over the age of 65 for AAA twice than not to screen them at all.
Updated Guidelines Issued by American College of Radiology
Updated guidelines help radiologists choose appropriate medical imaging exam for a patient's clinical condition.
CT Colonography Screening Viable Option for Medicare Patients
CT colonography screening compliance could be increased by 15 percent if covered by Medicare or third-party payers.