RSNA

The news was mixed for CT in the emergency department in research presented Wednesday at the RSNA meeting. CT was found to be better than ultrasound for diagnosing ER patients with abdominal pain, but radiation dose can be drastically reduced for patients suspected of appendicitis, according to authors of several studies.

Out of every 10 women whose mammogram or physical exam reveals potentially cancerous cells in their breasts, approximately three of them will have additional dangerous clusters the examinations missed, according to a recent study presented at the RSNA conference Wednesday.

Toshiba America Medical Systems has positioned its MicroPure ultrasound technology as a way to better characterize microcalcifications. The new technology, showcased at RSNA 2008 on Toshiba’s Aplio XG ultrasound scanner, improves the detection of small calcifications that otherwise may evade detection with ultrasound.

Extending its reach in applications for MR in women’s health, Toshiba unveiled at RSNA 2008 its Radiance Plus Breast Imaging Suite for use on the company’s two 1.5T scanners, the Vantage Atlas and Vantage Titan.

Philips Healthcare showcased its new value-oriented HD15 ultrasound system at RSNA 2008. The latest addition to Philips’ HD product line, commercially released in summer, is designed for use in small hospitals, clinics, and private practices.

Web-PACS and IT developer Infinitt North America unveiled at RSNA 2008 a software tool that uses 3D and other postprocessing techniques to improve visualization and analysis of coronary vessels.

The 2008 RSNA meeting serves as a reference point of sorts for two important trials testing the clinical efficacy of multislice cardiac CT. Results from the Core64 trials of 64-slice coronary CTA were published Nov. 28 while plans for a Core320 trial were announced in Chicago at the RSNA show.

As the mammography community embraces digital mammography, newly converted sites must overcome the challenge of comparing new images with old. PACSGEAR introduced at RSNA 2008 its solution to the problem.

Most radiologists know about the medical risks associated with patient exposure to ionizing radiation, but many are still in the dark about basic steps they can take to reduce patient exposure. A University of Michigan survey presented at the RSNA meeting found that a surprising percentage were unaware of methods to adjust mA and kVp during CT procedures.

A prototype system developed by the University of Maryland was able, for a time at least, to dramatically boost and document the communication of critical results findings, according to a presentation Tuesday. It’s since been sent back to the drawing board for more work, but points to a solution to a problem that vexes radiologists nationwide.

The 1.5T Discovery MR450 has joined the GE Healthcare portfolio armed with real-time cardiac imaging, multicontrast abdominal imaging in a single acquisition, and ultra high resolution musculoskeletal scanning at high patient throughput. The company also showcased its 3T Discovery MR750, shown initially last spring at the International Society for Magnetic Resonance in Medicine meeting. The FDA-cleared scanners bear GE’s new “Discovery” moniker, indicating premium performance.

Philips Healthcare is differentiating its PACS at RSNA 2008 by offering a wide variety of ancillary and complementary functions developed by other vendors but presented by Philips as optional software packages geared to work with its iSite system.