Revenue from the delivery of new CT units in the U.S. last year grew 15% compared with the previous year, and unit volume rose about 3%, making 2005 the best sales year in the history of the modality. The availability of 64-slice scanners capable of coronary CT angiography led the industry to those heights. This year, however, vendors are just hoping to hold onto last year’s gains.

Colonic diverticular disease does not necessarily spoil CT colonography, according to a study by University of Wisconsin researchers. There is a caveat, though: Radiologists must apply a 3D imaging approach.

Optical imaging visualizes heart electrical activityDobi wins Russian approvalCanada expands PACS projectRadlink signs distributor

The industry rebounded in March from a sluggish start to the year as the FDA cleared 34 devices under 510(k) review, nearly matching the number cleared in the previous two months together. March brought the total to 72 radiological devices cleared so far in 2006, making up for the slow start and putting vendors on track with previous years.

The use of intravenous contrast material during a PET/CT exam does not significantly affect the interpretation of the PET component. Contrast-enhanced PET/CT can be used routinely for oncologic imaging, according to researchers from the University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center in Houston.

BrainLab readies image-guided drug plannerCardinal Health taps new top exec

Radiofrequency ablation is a growing part of the practice established by interventional radiologist Dr. Paul Christy and his partners at Methodist Hospitals’ Interventional Radiology Center in Omaha. Most of their RFA practice focuses on lung tumors, but they also treat tumors of the liver and bone. The 13-person group includes one part-time and two full-time interventional radiologists, as well as medical oncologists, radiation oncologists, surgeons, and other specialists.

Women’s health imaging specialist Hologic has signed a definitive agreement to acquire Suros Surgical Systems, a maker of breast biopsy equipment. The deal, valued at more than $240 million, could make the Indianapolis company a wholly owned subsidiary of Hologic by the end of the second quarter, pending due diligence and final approval by Suros’ investors and regulatory clearances.

Larry Dentice wants to take Toshiba America Medical Systems to the next level. TAMS is coming off a stellar year during which sales rose 25%, but to continue that growth the company must make some refinements, according to its new general manager.

Interventional oncology is on the rise for several reasons. Cancer detection is increasing in our population as more imaging is done at an earlier stage. The technology is continuing to advance and improve.

New research conducted in Europe may guide strategies that determine the best time and optimal tools for coronary interventions. Results from one multicenter trial indicate that early intervention is better than a wait-and-watch policy for patients with partial vessel occlusion. Meanwhile, a Swiss team has published data questioning the cost-effectiveness of drug-eluting stents for revascularization.

Swissray goes privateR2 lands GPO contractExecs shuffle at Toshiba America

Renal cell cancer is the most frequently encountered malignant tumor in the kidney. Over 30,000 new cases are diagnosed annually in the U.S. Many cases are now detected incidentally, as a result of the widespread use of multislice CT. MSCT usage is also redefining diagnostic workup of renal lesions and facilitating renal cell cancer staging.

The market for 3T MRI is undoubtedly growing. Five years ago, few sites were using a 3T scanner for anything other than research. Now the higher field strength devices can be found in many clinical radiology departments and outpatient imaging clinics across the U.S. Clinical 3T is making inroads in Europe, too, though at a pace commensurate with its smaller MR base.

Whole-body MR scanners that operate at high field strengths are becoming widely available, and new 3T models have been launched in recent years. This generation of scanners offers exciting possibilities for radiological diagnosis while also posing challenges.

Demand dropped for gamma cameras in 2005, while it boomed for PET/CT. Trends driving this teeter-totter market, which links these two related but very different modalities, are continuing but moderating, according to industry sources.

Congressional moves to cut Medicare payments for outpatient imaging procedures tops the list of what worries executives at Toshiba America Medical Systems. But reimbursement problems won’t stop the company from developing and promoting new imaging technologies.

Vertebroplasty appears to be safe for people in their golden years. But as the range of applications expands and the age of eligibility grows ever younger, will the procedure materials stand the test of time? A study of goats suggests they will.

This month’s journal articles report on promising combination therapies, evaluate the effectiveness of new equipment, and assess liver and kidney treatments.

Duke University engineers have developed a miniature ultrasound transducer capable of generating data for high-quality real-time 3D images, transducers so small they fit in a laparoscope, intracardiac catheter, or transesophageal probe. So far the images have been only of dogs, but Duke’s lead engineer on the project believes the step to human application is a small one.