X-ray tube current modulation, a popular feature available on newer multislice CT scanners, improves image quality but may result in a higher radiation dose, according to a report at the Stanford MDCT meeting on Wednesday.

Clinical trials, practice issues, and innovation in CT will be explored at this year’s Multidetector-Row CT (MDCT) Symposium, held June 14 to 17 in San Francisco.

In some cases more is, simply, more. Siemens’ decision to add crystal to build out the detector ring on its PET/CT scanner increases axial coverage by 33%, according to the company. The result is a jump in photon detection of 78%, which translates into faster scan times or higher quality images.

GE Healthcare upgrades echo systemKonica extends mobile stitchingFDA clears Medrad pumpSiemens introduces syngo ultrasoundTim reaches 1000th customer

A prospective trial involving 75 patients from six Dutch hospitals recommends whole-body FDG-PET over conventional scintigraphy for uncovering the cause of fevers of unknown origin.

Solid-state SPECT debuts for preclinical researchGE’s SPECT/CT enables cardiac appSiemens adds San Diego to PETNETNasdaq cuts Merge some slackAmicas unveils billing servicesGE improves nuc med workstation

A study evaluating MR’s contribution to diagnosis of emphysema may breathe new life into the use of hyperpolarized gases, contrast agents that provide the means for MR to image the lungs. It’s not certain whether the positive findings, published in the June issue of Radiology, will lead to an economically viable commercial path for the technology. But at the very least they have proven that hyperpolarized MR can do what no other modality can. They have also provided encouragement for GE Healthcare, which owns the technology, to commercialize it.

The future of PET instrument design is likely to follow the pattern of past developments, with incremental improvements to sharpen resolution and increase sensitivity to physiological aspects of disease.

Clinical trials, practice issues, and an innovation in CT -- dual-source imaging -- will be explored at this year’s Multidetector-Row CT Symposium held June 14 to 17 in San Francisco.

From the Society of Nuclear Medicine meeting, an audio interview with Jeff Grenier, director of marketing and sales for Stockholm-based Hermes Medical Solutions, about the company’s plans for referring physician outreach and expansion into PACS.

GE cyclotron products debut at SNMHologic recruits new ally in bone evaluationAMS adds PACS, upgrades current lineIntelerad recruits PACS distributor

GE Healthcare commercially launched its quad-slice Infinia Hawkeye SPECT/CT at the Society of Nuclear Medicine meeting. The company also kicked off a sales campaign for its 64-slice Discovery PET/CT.

From the Society of Nuclear Medicine meeting exhibit floor, an audio interview with Karthik Kuppusamy, Ph.D., general manger for Americas nuclear medicine, PET/CT, and cyclotron business at GE Healthcare, who touted the company’s Discovery VCT.

On June 30, Thomas N. McCausland will retire from Siemens. In an exclusive interview with DI SCAN, McCausland discusses his approach to the U.S. business since taking over in 1996, his major accomplishments, and how they were achieved.

Philips’ time-of-flight PET boosts accuracy, speedSiemens expands PET field of viewSiemens SPECT/CT enhances bone scanningGE unveils dynamic cardiac review software

With $2.6 million in early commitments, the Society of Nuclear Medicine passed the halfway point in its $5 million goal on the first day of a planned five-year campaign to promote the translation of molecular imaging discoveries into clinical practice.

Siemens Medical Solutions USA announced today that Heinrich Kolem, Ph.D., has replaced Thomas McCausland as president of its Customer Solutions Group. In an exclusive interview with DI SCAN, Kolem discussed how his experience in the MR business will shape his now broader agenda, his early plans for the company’s U.S. operations, and how Siemens’ pending acquisition of Diagnostic Products might change the character and approach of Siemens Medical Solutions USA.

Siemens shuffles execsEffect of p53 therapy shows up in PET BrainLab introduces drug softwareCardiArc taps new COO

Gastroenterologists and other GI specialists are cautiously embracing virtual colonoscopy while calling for more data to shore up favorable experience.

Technical advances continue to make PET/CT and SPECT/CT suitable as platforms for molecular imaging. Pharmaceutical companies and specialty laboratories are developing and refining new radiopharmaceuticals. Imaging equipment manufacturers are incorporating more powerful and sensitive technology into their equipment and sophisticated reconstruction software is producing clearer images.