Maintaining order in the rapidly changing, sometimes contentious development of cardiac CT imaging may have become easier. Last weekend, two independent groups met in two U.S. cities to establish two separate professional societies geared toward promoting the clinical use of cardiac CT angiography.
PET/CT stepped up to 64-slice scanning, while many visitors to the RSNA meeting got their first close-up look at the next generation of gamma cameras. Hybrid SPECT/CT was first publicly seen in June 2004 at the Society of Nuclear Medicine meeting.
CT vendors delivered on promises made a year earlier with the delivery of 64-slice scanners. As the RSNA show floor opened, each of the four major vendors -- Siemens, GE, Philips, and Toshiba -- was either shipping these megaslice scanners or planning to begin doing so in early 2005. The offerings, however, were anything but homogeneous. The differences became apparent in each company’s presentation of its products and discussion of its competitors.
CT vendors were exceptional in their predictability, as each bore product pathways to the RSNA meeting as true as rifle shots. High-end and midtier scanners appeared on cue, their makers registering claims for their own products and criticism of the competition. It all came as little surprise to anyone familiar with the RSNA exhibit floor.
Virtual colonoscopy took a roller coaster ride last year. Some peer-reviewed studies touted the technique, while others favored conventional colonoscopy. Experts on each side complained of flaws in the other side's methodology. With that background, an international working group has developed a standardized reporting system for CT colonography.
Hybrid imaging dominated the nuclear medicine section of the RSNA exhibit floor. Philips and Siemens promoted multislice SPECT/CT, while GE, which pioneered the idea five years ago, showed an upgraded version of its Infinia gamma camera coupled to a single-slice, nondiagnostic CT for attenuation correction.
Radiologists eagerly expecting a clear winner to emerge from the RSNA session on CT colonography interpretation technique walked away disappointed Tuesday afternoon. A series of four presentations provided no clear consensus on which method would increase sensitivity for polyp detection.
Hybrid imaging dominates the nuclear medicine section of the RSNA exhibit floor. Philips and Siemens are promoting multislice SPECT/CT, while GE, which pioneered the idea five years ago, is showing an upgraded version of its Infinia gamma camera coupled to a single-slice, nondiagnostic CT for attenuation correction.
Perforation rates for a CT colonography, while still low and acceptable, are fast approaching those of traditional optical colonoscopy.
Proponents of CT colonography may lower the bar in measuring the imaging modality against conventional colonoscopy. After a wave of mediocre sensitivity results, many experts are asking whether it should be compared instead with optical colonoscopy or air contrast barium enema.
PET pioneer acquires micro-CT firm CTI Molecular Imaging plans to acquire ImTek, a provider of micro-CT systems for imaging laboratory animals used in medical research. The $3.75 million cash deal is expected to close by the end of November. Financial performance and milestone achievements hold the potential for future incentive payments. The acquisition of ImTek, which designs and manufactures the MicroCAT scanners, would complement CTI Concorde, a business unit of CTI Molecular Imaging dedicated to the manufacture of micro-PET scanners.
CT angiography can identify patients with subclinical atherosclerosis who may be inaccurately diagnosed as normal by traditional catheter angiography, according to a study from South Carolina.
Providing attenuation correction in SPECT/CT is no longer enough for GE Healthcare. The company that pioneered hybrid imaging five years ago with its Hawkeye Infinia will release a multislice version of the system a few weeks from now at the RSNA meeting. The reason is not so much the market as GE’s competitors.
A lull enveloped September, as FDA reviewers cleared just 25 new radiological devices -- a slight dip from August and well below the earlier summer months, which rode into the high 30s. The industry was still well ahead of last year, however, in the total number of devices cleared for marketing in the U.S.
Radiology's cardiac turf losses are legion: cardiac catheterization, cardiac angioplasty, echocardiography, and nuclear cardiology. Today, another turf battle is taking shape: control of cardiac CT and MR.
Taking a cue from breast imaging, an international working group has developed a standardized reporting system for CT colonography. The step could help it win wider acceptance as a screening strategy for colon cancer.
Philips cuts deal with healthcare enterpriseMarietta Memorial Hospital and Philips have struck a multiyear strategic agreement to bring advanced medical technology, clinical support, and staff education to the southeastern region of Ohio. Marietta and Philips have worked together for more than 10 years to outfit Marietta’s Cancer Center with digital x-ray and CT simulator systems.
Weakness seen in the CT market during the preceding two years continued in the first half of 2004. And the second half is starting out worse than the first.
Philips Medical Systems has followed the launch of its private practice cardiology CT system with a cascade of unveilings, each aimed at a distinct segment of the CT marketplace.
If you think cardiology is the only opportunity for niche CT, think again. CT could well be on the verge of a major change in usage fomented not by technology but by perspective. And MR might not be far behind. As happens so often, history will guide the way.
Cardiologists can make money owning CT scanners and performing coronary CT angiography, according to a presentation given at the North American Society for Cardiac Imaging meeting this week in Amelia Island, FL.
Cardiology fellows may find their cardiovascular MR training inadequate compared with nuclear and vascular imaging, according to a study by the American College of Cardiology Foundation. The lack of CMR equipment and/or curricula concerns the ACCF because recently revised training guidelines require a minimum exposure to the modality.
Cardiology fellows may find their cardiovascular MR training inadequate compared with nuclear and vascular imaging, according to a study conducted by the American College of Cardiology Foundation. The lack of CMR equipment and/or curricula concerns the ACCF because recently revised training guidelines require a minimum exposure to the modality.
