Diagnostic Imaging North America

NOVEMBER 2006

COVER STORY

By: John C. Hayes

• Teleradiology: New players, high stakes create capital opportunity

DEPARTMENTS

X-RAY VISION

By: John C. Hayes

Radiology needs to be cautious as teleradiology business expands

Overread

• Payers move to embrace coronary CT angiography
• Radiology, religion cross paths at University of Penn
• Simple schema of imaging findings aids arthritis Dx
• Interventional oncology adds hope, time to survival
• Biliary stent undergoes study for PVD applications
• Functional MRI reveals clues to social behavior
• Correlative studies offer ample data on CTA's value in coronaries
• PET proves one puff isn't enough
• "To The Point"
• Battle of sexes begins in genes

Newsclips

• New agent proves its value in breast scintigraphy scans
• Meeting highlights needs of rads in sub-Sahara Africa
• PET shows positive effects of healthy lifestyle regimen
• Ultrasound-guided therapy puts pro athletes in play
• Reduced contrast CT lowers cost, risk in elderly patients

Mailbox

• 'Tight ship' column sparks memories of good old days of rad-tech collaboration
• It takes a team to keep tight ship on course
• Mammography pioneer reviews field's progress over past quarter-century

Tech Watch

• 3D radiography and filmless future offer exhibit highlights
• Variety, ingenuity spice up latest CT scanner designs
• New PET scanners improve Dx in problem patients
• New CT scanner designs break the surface at RSNA

Agenda

• RSNA adds, subtracts, and morphs ideas to stay a step ahead of trends

Cardiac Care

• Cardiac imagers evaluate modalities' roles
  C.P. Kaiser
• Nuclear cardiology adopts hybrid and dynamic imaging
  Daniel S. Berman, M.D.
• Software analyzes MR first-pass perfusion data
  Christopher Klassen, M.D., Minh Nguyen, M.D., Franz von Ziegler, M.D., Alan Siuciak, and Norbert M. Wilke, M.D., FACC
• Echo maintains crucial role in clinical cardiac practice
  Mario J Garcia, M.D.
• Cardiac CT's promise awaits aid of outcomes studies
  Franz von Ziegler, M.D.

Imaging & the Law

By: Thomas W. Greeson, J.D.

• Fall means open season on imaging payments

Digital Department

By: Bruce Reiner, M.D.

• Acorn doesn't fall too far from the tree

Magnetic Resonance

By: Steven R. Renard

• Hands-on know-how guides successful switch to 3T

Bowel Imaging

By: Alec J. Megibow, M.D., MPH, FACR

• MSCT enterography rapidly emerges as first-line exam

Radiation Exposure

By: Emily Hayes

• Imagers craft protocols for pregnant patients
• Study rings alarm bells on ultrasound exposure risks

Liver Disease

By: Andrew Kennedy, M.D.

• Imaging bolsters accuracy of microsphere therapy

Nuclear Medicine

By: James Brice

• Gottschalk plots strategy to preserve V/Q diagnosis

Technologists

By: James Brice

• Physician extenders bolster productivity of practices

Town-Gown Issues

By: C.P. Kaiser

• Academics align with private practice to boost bottom line
• Radiologist shortage harms faculty/resident ratio

Perturbations

By: Eric Trefelner, M.D.

• Thinking small leads to growing profits

Special Sections

Technology Advisor

• PACS vendors face rising tide of imaging volumes
• Hand-carried ultrasound market finds new legs
• MR vendors break clinical ground by playing the field
• CR mammography could split digital marketplace
• CT improvements attack slice overload issues