Ultrasound

Siemens’ mammography system rolls through Vegas Infrared breast scanner appears on television talk showEuropeans apply special catheterMindray revenues boom in 3QMindray appoints new director

Doppler ultrasound is accurate enough to equal the standard diagnostic test for temporal arteritis, which requires a biopsy of the temporal artery. This is a condition in which early diagnosis and treatment is crucial: 50% of patients with temporal arteritis lose their sight if untreated.

In a word, RSNA.

CT marked RSNA 2007 as the most exciting gathering for radiologists in recent history. But there was plenty happening outside of CT, too.

Despite its widespread use as a tool that provides rapid diagnosis at a relatively low cost without the need for bulky equipment or ionizing radiation, ultrasound faces mounting competition from modalities such as CT and MRI, which combine short acquisition times with the ability to rapidly generate multiplanar and 3D images. That may change with volume ultrasound, a technique that lets clinicians and sonographers scan the patient and rapidly analyze data from a volume of interest.

Three-D reconstructions are routinely used in the imaging of many organ systems. Not only do referring physicians and patients like the volume-rendered images, but radiologists are finding the inclusion of coronal and sagittal reformats imperative to making the most confident diagnoses. The use of advanced imaging over the last year has become important in several organs, mainly the heart/chest (Figure 1) and the abdomen/pelvis.

Mountaineering and climbing have been popular sports for many decades. The recent advent of artificial climbing walls and improved safety equipment have transformed the sport and brought it to a wider audience than ever. Such innovations allow individuals to climb safely in any weather conditions.

The onslaught of faster, smaller, more precise, and more portable ultrasound imaging technology continues. Nearly three dozen RSNA exhibitors will be showing ultrasound scanners whose portability has lately crowded onto center stage along with image quality and once optional capabilities, such as 3D/4D.

Of the 6000 scientific abstracts submitted to the RSNA this year, four major areas dominate, according to Dr. Gerald Dodd III, chair of the RSNA's scientific program committee.

Researchers in Belgium have found that MR elastography is more accurate than a blood test commonly used in the noninvasive staging of liver fibrosis. The study adds weight to clinical literature that suggests MR elastography could replace biopsy.

The live audience for Diagnostic Imaging’s Netseminar “Emerging Trends in Breast Ultrasound” had a number of questions for the faculty. Below, Dr. William Svensson responds to their queries:

MR proves genetic role for multiple sclerosisTwenty-five years ago, when the clinical value of MR was only beginning to be appreciated, one application was beyond question. MR could clearly visualize the lesions characteristic of multiple sclerosis. Now it has provided the first evidence that those with a family history of MS show more severe brain damage than patients who have no relatives with the disease. Bracco bids for E-Z-EMWide-bore 3T enters marketCarestream unveils digital radiography systemSonoSite grows 3Q revenues and netVital Images falters in 3QNightHawk revenues soar Howard steps down at iCAD

The first drop in recent memory in demand for nuclear medicine served as the backdrop for pending advances.Features: Nuc med volume falls in 2006, show partial rebound this year Spectrum Dynamics prepares new gamma camera for market Calibration tool ensures proper radionuclide dose MR scores advance in body imaging Q&A: Consultant, manager-or both?

Merge sets date to file restatementsFifth SonoSite system tackles interventionsAloka plans release of two imaging systemsWide-bore PET/CT debutsPhilips unveils cardiac IT workstation

Transvaginal ultrasound is better at identifying cases of deep retrocervical and rectosigmoid endometriosis than MRI and clinical examination. It has better sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value, and accuracy, according to a recent study in Brazil.

Bone exam predicts risk for cardiovascular diseaseFocusing on vasculature rather than bone, researchers at Park Nicollet Health Services in Minneapolis, MN, found that a high level of abdominal aortic calcification, detected with a bone densitometer by Hologic, is predictive of myocardial infarction or stroke among elderly Caucasian women.X-ray/ultrasound combo saves timeIntravascular MRI device passes feasibility testInfinix VF-i/SP shines at TCT 2007Study examines risk from contrast agentF&S teleradiology expandsFonar snags German saleRIS Concepts teams with billing firm

Digesting the mediocre performance by Philips Medical in the third quarter, financial analysts peppered Pierre-Jean Sivignon, chief financial officer of Koninklijke Philips Electronics, with questions about the company’s plans for the upcoming RSNA. They were looking for reasons to believe the CFO’s assertions that Philips’ financials would soon improve.

The worst effects from the Deficit Reduction Act may be over, according to GE Chairman and CEO Jeffrey R. Immelt. But Pierre-Jean Sivignon, chief financial officer of Koninklijke Philips Electronics, has some reservations.

Strategic moves and executive spin shaped the week.Features: RadNet’s purchase of Liberty Pacific MRI clears the way for strategic and tactical operations-DI SCAN describes how. GE’s Immelt and Philips’ Sivignon spin DRA and logistical problems. Sivignon dodges questions about new products. Siemens launches industry’s lowest priced MRI. The prize behind door number 1.5T (Where’s Monty Hall when you need him?).

SonoSite launches dedicated ICU product IV ultrasound study setCytyc to buy back notesTopSpin Medical taps clinical affairs VP

Simple gray scale and color Doppler sonography can show differences between compensated liver cirrhosis and chronic viral hepatitis in patients with liver problems. Certain color Doppler indices can even help narrow down the stage of chronic viral hepatitis, reducing the need for biopsies.

SonoSite unveiled its second hand-carried ultrasound unit in as many weeks. This one, like the one that came out Oct. 1, is focused on point-of-care ultrasound. Unlike the M-Turbo, however, which can handle a broad range of bedside applications, the S-FAST (Focused Assessment with Ultrasound for Trauma) was designed specifically for emergency medicine.

A surprise acquisition appeared at week’s end, as ultrasound saw both opportunity and threat. Features: GE acquires Web-based RIS/PACS vendor Dynamic Imaging; company execs give the inside story behind why and how. SonoSite launched its second point-of-care ultrasound system in as many weeks. The MR market in the U.S. is weathering the DRA rather well-here’s why. How to make sales at the RSNA (and look like you’re not really trying).

Europe expands Exablate clinical reachConvertible ultrasound shines at ASAToshiba fleet turns greenLCDs head for RSNAHigh-speed imager suits tight spaces

The Cardiac Diagnostic Laboratory at Barnes-Jewish Hospital in St. Louis has stopped using Definity, the echocardiographic contrast agent marketed by Bristol-Myers Squibb, according to an Oct. 11 memo obtained by Diagnostic Imaging.

SonoSite unveils handcarried ultrasound for nerve blocksBarnes-Jewish drops DefinityDRA stings GE, PhilipsSymbia adds low-cost cameraDictaphone plans RSNA releaseDigirad counsel steps down

Patient-controlled sedation and analgesia with a combination of propofol and fentanyl worked just as well as the standard gastroenterologist-administered midazolam and pethidine for upper gastrointestinal tract endoscopic ultrasound exams. Patients and endoscopists were equally satisfied with each method.

FDA advises black box warning for ultrasound contrast agents

Hidden NSF cases appearDel Medical sales boom in 4QWeb tool calculates hand-carried ROIFDA clears low-dose x-rayACRIN Trial looks at cervical cancer UltraRAD recruits new exec

Point-of-care medicine took a step forward Oct. 1 with the release of SonoSite’s latest hand-carried ultrasound system. M-Turbo, so named because of its speed, offers improved image clarity and ease of use. This is achieved, according to the company, through a 16-fold increase in processing power that allows the running of several algorithms that reduce artifacts, boost spatial resolution, and match imaging parameters to exam type.