SPOTLIGHT -
Bone Suppression Program Plus CAD Detect More Lung Nodules
Electronic bone suppression programs used in addition to CAD allow radiologists to detect more lung nodules than with chest X-rays alone.
Enhanced PET/CT May Help Detect Inflammatory Bowel Disease
Use of 18F-FDG PET/CT may help detect advanced disease in patients with ulcerative colitis or Crohn’s disease.
Demand for Mobile Driving Global X-ray Growth
The global X-ray market is expected to see strong growth in the next few years, thanks to demand for mobile X-ray and retrofit upgrade kits.
Integrated 2D and 3D Mammography Detects More Cancers
Integrating 2D and 3D screening increases breast cancer detection and may lower reports of false positives.
Transvaginal Sonography Helps Detect Ectopic Pregnancy
Use of transvaginal sonography increases detection of ectopic pregnancies when patient history and clinical evaluation alone aren’t sufficient for diagnosis.
MRI Measures Thalamic Atrophy in MS Progression
Using MRI to measure thalamic atrophy in patients with clinically isolated syndrome can help predict which patients will develop multiple sclerosis.
CAD-enhanced Mammo Gives More Early Cancer False Alarms
Screening mammograms enhanced by CAD trigger more false alarms than non-CAD screenings and detect more early cancers that may never have needed treatment.
Lower Dose Lumbar Spine CT Delivers Diagnostic Quality Images
Lumbar spine CT radiation doses were lowered by 41 percent and still delivered diagnostic quality images.
Some Abdominal CT Scans May Help ID Osteoporosis
Abdominal CT scans that include the lumbar spine but that are performed for other purposes may help identify patients with osteoporosis.
Too Many CTs for Trauma Patients Under Standard Protocol
Standard CT protocol for trauma patients is leading to overutilization of the exam.
Patient Photos Help Detect Radiograph Label Errors
Attaching patient photos to radiographs helps increase label detection errors without adding to time for interpretation.
FDA Clears ResolutionMD for Android Devices
Calgary Scientific Inc. has received FDA clearance for its software for diagnostic medical image viewing on Android mobile devices.
Obama’s Budget Aims to Close Imaging Services Loophole
A proposal in the new Fiscal Year 2014 budget to close a loophole in the Stark self-referral law to unnecessary imaging scans and therapy aims to cut costs.
Different Docs Reading Scans Doesn’t Provide Efficiencies
Interpretation of imaging scans of the same patient by different physicians during the intra-service period provides little or no work efficiencies.
MRI Use Dropped Since 2008
After several years of strong growth in use of MRI, trends are reversing, with fewer scans performed.
Early FLT-PET/CT May Help Predict Head and Neck Cancer Outcomes
Early use of FLT-PET/CT screening during treatment for head and neck cancer can indicate long-term patient outcomes.
CTC Appropriately Used Despite Reimbursement Limitations
Concerns over inappropriate use of CTC prompted CMS to halt reimbursement, but research shows that CTC is not being used inappropriately.
FDA Clears Hitachi’s 128-slice CT Scanner
Hitachi Medical Systems America Inc. has received FDA 510(k) clearance for its Scenaria Advanced 128 CT system, the company announced.
MRI Doesn’t Show Sciatica and Lumbar-Disk Herniation Link
Physicians are using MRI to assess the association between sciatica symptoms and lumbar-disk herniation, despite controversy over its validity.
Breast Biopsy Anxiety Drops with Good Communication
Better communication between radiologists and patients undergoing image-guided breast biopsies results in lower anxiety before and after the procedure.
SPECT V/Q May Detect Early Smoking-Related Lung Changes
Single photon emission computed tomography ventilation/perfusion imaging may show early changes to the lung caused by cigarette smoke exposure.
CAD With Chest X-Ray for Cancer Detection Needs More Study
CAD with chest X-ray to screen for lung cancer may reveal abnormalities, but more study is required.
MRI Detects Brain Abnormalities in Migraine Patients
Brain MRIs migraine sufferers reveal abnormalities in cortical thickness and some surface area. These measurements could improve understanding of migraines.
MRI for Lumbar Spine Often Unnecessary
Most lumbar spine MRIs are unnecessary; most MRIs for headache are necessary. Physicians should strictly adhere to appropriate imaging guidelines.
FDA Approves Gadolinium-based Contrast Agent for MRI
The FDA has approved gadolinium-based contrast agent Dotarem (gadoterate meglumine) for MRI of the central nervous system.
ACR and SBI Question False-Positive Mammography Study
The ACR and SBI took issue with a recent study on the long-term mental anguish caused by false-positives from mammograms.
FDA Approves Lymphoseek Imaging Agent
The FDA has approved Lymphoseek (technetium Tc 99m tilmanocept) Injection imaging agent that helps locate lymph nodes in patients with certain cancers.
3D MRI Shows Lasting Brain Damage After One Concussion
3D MR images reveal some patients show signs of lasting structural damage to the brain after sustaining just one concussion.
Mummy CTs Show Atherosclerosis a 4,000-Year-Old Problem
CT scans of mummies show that plaque build-up and clogged arteries occurred among people 4,000 years ago, as well as today.
Idaho Law Would Require Radiologic Technologist Licensure
Idaho senators are considering a measure to require radiologic technologists have a license before performing imaging and radiation therapy procedures.