Diagnostic Imaging.
Head for technical exhibition to learn about latest advances in CT
By John Bonner |
March 6, 2009
Speed and efficiency are two of the buzzwords used most commonly in the highly competitive field of CT imaging. When the wraps were lifted from the ECR 2009 technical exhibition, the dazzling improvements in data acquisition speed achieved by the new generation of CT scanners emerged. Vendors claim that huge improvements can be expected, in both radiology department workflow and patient safety.
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| In this cardiac CT scan using Flash Spiral Cardio facility of Somatom Definition system, only a 0.9-mSv dose was needed to show the fine details. (Provided by Siemens) |
Siemens is showcasing its Somatom Definition Flash, which the company insists will set new standards for speed and radiation dose reduction in CT. The scanner is a dual-source machine in which the gantry can rotate around its own axis in 0.28 seconds. This enables a scan speed of up to 43 cm per second with a temporal resolution of 75 msec. The patient is moved through the CT tube more than twice as fast as with any conventional system, according to Siemens.
Radiation dose is much lower than with previous generations of CT scanners, which operate with an average effective dose for a heart CT examination that ranges from 8 mSv to 40 mSv. The new Siemens machine exposes the patient to 1 mSv. Because the radiation dose for the new scanner is less than that from an intracardiac catheter examination, it is possible for CT to be used as the modality of choice for routine cardiac examinations. A scan of the entire heart can be performed in 250 msec, less than half the time required for a normal heart beat.
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| Thorax scanned by Somatom Definition Flash system. Triple rule-out without breath-hold in less than one second, at a dose below 5 mSv. (Provided by Siemens) |
The machine also features a new application, X-CARE, intended to selectively reduce the radiation exposure of particularly dose-sensitive regions of the body, such as the female breast. This is achieved by switching off the x-ray tube assemblies during the rotation phase in which the anatomical regions concerned are most directly exposed to radiation. In this way, it is possible to reduce the radiation exposure of individual anatomical regions by up to 40%.
ECR 2009
Sponsored by an educational grant from Sectra
 | The European Congress of Radiology has emerged as a leading venue for sharing clinical and technological advances with European and international radiologists. This year reporting teams from Diagnostic Imaging’s European and North American editions will cover breaking developments from the plenary and scientific sessions, the exhibit floor, and other meeting exhibits and events. Watch for our coverage on the first day of the meeting, March 6, and continuing March 9-11.
--John C. Hayes
Editor, Diagnostic Imaging |
NewsfromECR2009
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Today’s pulmonary infections pose multidimensional challenges for radiologists
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Radiologists should be clinically focused when handling HIV cases, according to a leading chest expert. They must know if patients are drug-naïve or whether they are already on antiretroviral therapy. It is also important to determine how they acquired their HIV, whether onset is acute or more gradual, and how profoundly unwell the patients feel.
MRI and ultrasound reveal early signs of rheumatoid arthritis
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