Ultrasound

Siemens Healthcare unveiled a breast ultrasound system at RSNA 2008 whose automated exams could help women’s health practitioners achieve the potential of ultrasound as a complement to mammography.

GE Healthcare combined ultrasound scanner controls and real-time imaging on a single display with the integration of a touchscreen monitor into its compact Logiq e product.

Automated breast ultrasound should not replace handheld ultrasound in a diagnostic breast center but rather should be used in conjunction with it or play a role in screening breast ultrasound, according to a study presented at the 2008 RSNA meeting.

The latest development in ultrasound from GE Healthcare, its Logiq E9, promises to tap the modality’s true diagnostic potential while exceeding that of ultrasound alone to provide interventional guidance. The ability to merge data from CT and other modalities into a live ultrasound scan distinguishes this new scanner, which began commercial deliveries in September.

GE launches new digital XR systemsPhilips unveils new 16-slice CTDigital stereotaxy adds to GE digital mammoTouchscreen enhances GE compact ultrasound

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.

A new kind of self-mutilation is creeping into the teenage population, one that involves inserting objects into the body, according to radiologist Dr. William E. Shiels, II, who presented the first study of the adolescent phenomenon 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.

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.

Supplier highlights image enhancement softwarePhilips expands CT portfolio with 128-slice CTToshiba unveils breast MR suiteToshiba extends ultrasound reach in breast imagingGE launches low-dose LightSpeed VCTGE debuts thin-client 3D system

When offered $5000 bonuses, motivated residents at Massachusetts General Hospital completed scan signoffs in a fraction of the usual time.

Interventional guidance is getting a boost at RSNA 2008 through a novel ultrasound system developed by GE Healthcare and a partnership between Philips Ultrasound and interventional workstation developer Traxtal.

Evaluation of carotid artery plaque density performed on serial ultrasound scans could help identify patients at high risk for a heart attack or other adverse cardiovascular events, according to Austrian researchers.

Ultrasound has long been an efficient and useful adjunct technique for breast imaging. It is the first modality to be proposed in some situations: if a young or pregnant woman has a palpable mass, for example, or immediately after surgery.

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.

Researchers from Egypt and Austria are taking a leap of faith to evaluate several possible ultrasound elastography applications in musculoskeletal radiology. Everyone from weekend warriors to elite athletes may benefit if the test is proven effective, according to papers released Monday at the RSNA meeting.

High-resolution sonography can accuratelydetect the causes of residual limbpain in amputees, according to Britishresearchers, who found that ultrasoundcan guide proper treatment andrehabilitation, help educate patientsabout their condition, and even helpwith design and fitting of prostheses.

Enhancements in breast imaging mark the latest ultrasound upgrade from Philips Healthcare. Tissue aberration correction technology and algorithms built into the Vision 2009 upgrade for its iU22 radiological flagship are part of an integrated effort to better define tissue in fatty breasts, according to the company. An enabling technology is the Philips PureWave transducer and its coded beamformer, which have been present on earlier technologies.

Elastrography forms the cornerstone of an ultrasound system unveiled by first-time RSNA exhibitor SuperSonic Imagine. The Aixplorer system is dedicated to breast imaging. It differentiates healthy from cancerous tissues by quantifying differences in the elasticity of the tissues. SuperSonic’s ShearWave Elastography technique produces consistent results regardless of the operator’s skill, according to the company.

RSNA newcomer readies breast ultrasoundVital Images launches workstation for webZiosoft allies with MedicsightMerge expands support, OEM offeringsMammo digitizer prepares for RSNA 2008Visage pairs with Viatronix

Themes emerging from breast imaging abstracts at the upcoming RSNA include the increased use of breast MRI, full-field digital mammography versus film-screen mammography, and more.

You can tell by the titles of special focus sessions planned for the 2008 RSNA that program committee chair Dr. Robert M. Quencer sees an opportunity to use the sessions to examine tough issues affecting clinical imaging practice.

Fonar rejects acquisition offerGE plans to supply international oncology centersStereotaxis reintroduces irrigated catheter Dilon allies with Terason UltrasoundZiosoft expands with new facilityPryor appointed to eRAD board

Ultrasound contrast agents took a hit on the chin a year ago when the FDA decided to issue a black-box label for them warning physicians of potentially fatal reactions. The black-box labeling of the echocardiography agents was imposed after more than 100 cases of serious cardiopulmonary reactions and at least four deaths from cardiac arrest were reported during their administration.

Results from a large study by Italian investigators suggest that ultrasound can predict the risk of stroke in mostly asymptomatic patients based on the assessment of carotid artery plaque morphology, not just stenosis degree. Sonographic surveillance of plaque evolution could boost stroke prevention.