MRI

Studies examining the clinical historiesof patients who developednephrogenic systemic fibrosis aftertreatment at distinguished teachinghospitals in New York City andVienna suggest that gadoliniumbasedcontrast dose and post-MRIhemodialysis are keys to controllingthe rare but deadly skin disorder

Researchers at a private diagnostic imaging center in central Florida have shown 3T MRI of the wrist is nearly as sensitive and specific as arthroscopy for detection of wrist ligament tears. MR could spot abnormalities missed by standard imaging tests and avoid needless surgeries, according to the investigators.

Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan has reached a $1.2 million settlement with a group of 14 Illinois radiology centers that allegedly paid illegal kickbacks to doctors in exchange for referrals.

After prolonged deliberation and repeated demands for more research, the FDA has approved Vasovist (gadofosveset trisodium), the first contrast imaging agent to gain regulatory clearance specifically for MR angiography.

Preliminary results from a Mayo Clinic study suggest that patients who undergo vertebroplasty may die sooner than patients with vertebral fractures who do not undergo the procedure.

FDA approves Epix MR blood pool agentGlobal meltdown burns EmageonSiemens helps chalk one up for kids in need

Prostate cancer is a leading cause of cancer death inU.S. men, second only to lung cancer. During2008, an estimated 186,320 new cases of prostatecancer will be diagnosed in the U.S.

Ultrasound has long been an efficient and usefuladjunct technique for breast imaging. It is thefirst modality to be proposed in some situations:if a young or pregnant woman has a palpablemass, for example, or immediately after surgery.

Adolescent gymnasts are developing a wider variety of arm, wrist, and hand injuries than previously described in gymnast-related medical literature.

Medicare’s outpatient imaging program has issued a New Year’s greeting in the form of rules in the 2009 Physician Fee Schedule that raise professional reimbursement rates, expand the discount for contiguous body part imaging to more applications, and introduce anti-markup rules that are far less harsh than those originally proposed.

Efforts to raise awareness about the associated risks of CT-based radiation exposure and the need to keep children from receiving unnecessary scans seem to be achieving traction among healthcare providers, according to a study by Ohio researchers. Their findings suggest that such increased awareness may make referring physicians less likely to order imaging that involves ionizing radiation for young patients.

Alternating MRI with mammography every six months picks up breast cancers not identified by mammography alone for women at high risk, according to research out of the University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center in Houston.

An incidental finding of multiple sclerosis-type lesions during brain MRI is no fluke. A new study has found that some patients develop the physical symptoms of the disease within five years of the abnormalities’ discovery on MRI.

Despite encouraging earlier results, the much-awaited follow-up phase III DIAS-2 trial did not show any improvement in clinical response at 90 days for ischemic stroke patients who were given either of two doses of desmoteplase up to nine hours after the onset of symptoms of stroke compared with those who were given placebo.

Simple strategies, based on past experience with contrast-enhanced MRI for patients with compromised renal function, have helped radiologists and allied physicians bring the incidence of nephrogenic systemic fibrosis, a rare but deadly skin disorder, under control.

Educational efforts to raise awareness about the associated risks of CT-based radiation exposure and the need to keep children from receiving unnecessary scans seem to be achieving traction among healthcare providers, according to a study by Ohio researchers. Their findings suggest that such increased awareness may make referring physicians less likely to order imaging that involves ionizing radiation for young patients.

Educational efforts to raise awareness about the associated risks of CT-based radiation exposure and the need to keep children from receiving unnecessary scans seem to be achieving traction among healthcare providers, according to a study by Ohio researchers. Their findings suggest that such increased awareness may make referring physicians less likely to order imaging that involves ionizing radiation for young patients.

Siemens debuts breast ultrasound scannerSiemens dedicates MR scanner to breastFujifilm acquires RIS firmFujifilm unveils flat-panel DRNuance enhances decision support

Siemens underscored its commitment to women’s health with its introduction at RSNA 2008 of Espree Pink, a 1.5T scanner dedicated to breast imaging.

A new 3D, fast spin-echo MR sequence at 3T could one day help musculoskeletal radiologists perform a comprehensive evaluation of articular cartilage of the knee in only five minutes, according to researchers from Wisconsin and California.

For victims of psychological trauma, the challenge of suppressing painful memories may be rooted in the wiring of the brain, an ongoing study revealed at the RSNA conference Wednesday.

With the help of new robotic training, victims of stroke may be able to extend the narrow six-month window to regain their mobility, according to a recent study presented at the RSNA conference Wednesday.

A neuroradiologist, a neurosurgeon, and a radiological technologist explained to an RSNA audience how working together to analyze fMR scans has significantly helped them pinpoint hard-to-reach brain tumors and plan delicate surgery, resulting in improved surgical outcomes.

Adolescent gymnasts are developing a wider variety of arm, wrist, and hand injuries than previously described in gymnast-related medical literature, according to a retrospective review presented Monday at the RSNA meeting.

Results of a study by University of Vermont researchers suggest that 3T MRI should be considered as an alternative to CT in the evaluation of pediatric and young adult patients presenting to the emergency room with acute abdominal pain.

Philips Healthcare unveiled two MR scanners on the RSNA 2008 exhibit floor: one at 3T, the other at 1.5T. Both emphasize productivity and clinical value, albeit by different means.

Results from papers released Sunday at the 2008 RSNA suggest that a less rigid approach to treatment, coupled with knowledgeable practitioners and judicious patient selection can improve the commercial prospects of outpatient MRI-guided focused ultrasound ablation of uterine fibroids. There are caveats, though.

Breast MRI can have a positive impact on clinical decision making for African American women with newly diagnosed breast cancer, leading to wider excisions and mastectomies, according to a new study carried out in Ohio. Age is also a factor.

An aggressive, stealthy small breast cancer sub-type accounts for 10 percent of all breast cancers but half of all lesion-related deaths.