SPOTLIGHT -
Americans Agree Radiology Scans Are Essential for Diagnosis
Most Americans say they would undergo radiologic imaging - and pay more - to receive a diagnosis, even if no cure or treatment was available.
MRI Helps Detect Spinal Infection from Contaminated Injections
Contrast-enhanced MR imaging can find undiagnosed infection at the site of contaminated spinal injections.
ACR CEO Neiman to Retire
Harvey L. Neiman, MD, FACR, head of the American College of Radiology, announced this week plans to retire as CEO next spring.
MRI Detected Atherosclerosis Indicates Future Heart Attack Risk
Using MRI to obtain two measurements in the abdominal aorta may help physicians predict which patients may go on to have a cardiac event.
Better Radiologist Communication Eases Patient Anxiety
Radiologists who communicate well with patients before and after breast biopsies can help lower patient anxiety levels.
HIEs Don't Reduce Direct Healthcare Costs
Sharing data across health information exchanges does not result in significant cost savings despite some reductions in test ordering.
PET May Indicate Which Patients Benefit from Antidepressants
PET images may help determine which patients with major depression will respond best to medication or to cognitive behavior therapy.
Hypometabolism in Healthy Brains May Indicate Pre-Alzheimer’s
PET finds hypometabolism in healthy brains that may indicate pre-Alzheimer’s disease.
PET Shows Nicotine in Smokers’ Brains Despite Vaccine
PET imaging aids researchers in search for anti-nicotine vaccine, but shows there is still a lot of work to do.
CMS to Cover Three Oncology FDG-PET Scans
CMS has agreed to cover three oncology FDG-PET scans, a revision from the proposed single-scan coverage, and one PET advocates lauded.
SPECT/MR Debuts as New Hybrid Modality
SPECT/MR debuted this week at the SNMMI annual meeting as a new preclinical hybrid molecular imaging system with promises of higher resolution and lower dose.
Stress MRI Cuts Adverse Events Acute Chest Pain Patients
Cardiac MRI can cut adverse events among patients with possible ACS, shortens hospital stays, and better identifies patients requiring invasive procedures.
MRI Detects Brain Injuries Caused by Heading Soccer Balls
Diffusion tensor imaging demonstrates changes in the brain of soccer players who head the ball frequently during games and practice.
CT-Related Cancer Risk Among Children Can Be Lowered
Children’s risk from radiation exposure from CT scans drops significantly when dose from the highest-dose exams is lowered and unnecessary exams eliminated.
MRI Shows Heart Damage in Some Children After Chemo
MR images detect heart damage in childhood cancer survivors who were treated with anthracycline-based regimens.
Virtual Colonoscopy Screening Can Be Later for Women
Experts may consider new guidelines for virtual colonoscopy, or CT colonography, screening after study shows women can be screened later than men.
How CIIPS Can Add Value to Radiology
Certified imaging informatics professionals have gained ground in radiology and are a major topic at SIIM. Paul Nagy, PhD, explains how they can transform radiology practice.
GAO to CMS: Establish Imaging Accreditation Standards
CMS should establish minimum standards and oversight for accreditation of advanced diagnostic imaging services, a recommendation hailed by industry groups.
PET Shows Highly Educated Alzheimer’s Patients Cope Better
PET images show why education can help people cope with the effects of Alzheimer’s disease in its early stages.
Early Colonoscopy Beneficial for Patients with CT-diagnosed Acute Diverticulitis
Patients with acute diverticulitis diagnosed by contrast-enhanced CT may benefit from early colonoscopies for colon cancer screening.
More Education on Radiation Risks Needed When Ordering Exams
Radiologists need more education on radiation risk to help make decisions for patients who may need imaging tests but have a history of radiation exposure.
Chest Tomosynthesis Shows Promise for Early Cancer Detection
Digital chest tomosynthesis used as a screening tool for lung cancer shows comparable rates of detection to low-dose CT.
MRI Measurement Can Help Predict Brain Vascular Disease
MRI measurements of aortic arch pulse wave velocity allow physicians to predict cognitive decline and cardiovascular diseases.
Digital Breast Tomosynthesis Reduces Recall Rates
Digital breast tomosynthesis for breast cancer screening reduces recall rates and biopsies, and detects more cancers.
Low-Dose CT Detects More Lung Cancers, Lowers Mortality
Study confirms earlier findings that low-dose CT detects more lung cancer than chest X-rays and lowers mortality from lung cancer.
Small Increased Cancer Risk for Children Who Have CT Scans
CT scans performed on children and adolescents may contribute to a slightly elevated risk cancer over the following 10 years.
MRI Shows Interrupted Brain Development in Premature Babies
Diffusion MRI has shown the interruption in development of the cerebral cortex among premature babies, compared with their full-term peers.
Maryland Enacts Breast Density Notification Law
Maryland became the seventh state to enact breast density patient notification laws.
GE Unveils MR Protocol for Patients with Metal Implants
GE Healthcare this week introduced a new MRI technique designed to allow for more accurate imaging of soft tissue and bone in patients with metal joint implants.
MRI Makes Virtual Autopsy Viable in Certain Cases
Non-invasive autopsies, performed by MRI, could help determine cause of death for fetuses and young children.