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January 2009 Blog Posts (68)

Study faults regulators for relying on ‘reference man’ radiation dose standard

January 12, 2009 Study faults regulators for relying on ‘reference man’ radiation dose standard By James Brice A study from the Institute for Energy and Environment Research indicates that U.S. radiation exposure regulations and compliance assessment guidelines often underestimate the risk of radiation for women and children because they are based on standards of a "reference man," a hypothetical 20- to 30-year-old white male. At least three federal agencies -- the Environmental Protection… Continue

Added by Diagnostic Imaging on January 12, 2009 at 5:30pm — No Comments

Research News: Imaging utilization in the management of appendicitis and its impact on hospital charges

radRounds (BOSTON) -- Otero, et al, at the Department of Radiology at the Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School in Boston has recently published a study evaluating the trends in imaging utilization in adults with diagnosis of appendicitis and the role that imaging plays in the escalating appendicitis hospital charges. His research has demonstrated that imaging utilization has increased rapidly, but trends show a slowdown that might correspond with achievement of standardization.… Continue

Added by radRounds Radiology Network on January 10, 2009 at 7:00pm — No Comments

Digital mammography interpretation takes longer than film reading

January 9, 2009 Digital mammography interpretation takes longer than film reading By H.A. Abella -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Researchers at the University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center in Houston have confirmed what mammographers have long suspected: Digital screening mammograms may take twice as long to read than film. Understanding all variables could boost or make up for interpretation speed. According to the FDA's Center for… Continue

Added by Diagnostic Imaging on January 9, 2009 at 3:00am — No Comments

Digital mammography interpretation takes longer than film reading

Added by Diagnostic Imaging on January 9, 2009 at 1:00am — No Comments

RSNA memories dwell on more than radiology

January 8, 2009 RSNA memories dwell on more than radiology By the Diagnostic Imaging staff -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Between the inevitably slow cab rides to and from O'Hare International Airport, the RSNA experience creates indelible memories. Old-timers recall how the world's largest medical meeting was once contained in a ballroom at Chicago's Palmer House Hotel. Newcomers remember their first exposure to world-class radiological… Continue

Added by Diagnostic Imaging on January 8, 2009 at 3:00am — No Comments

NovaRad announces combined availability of NovaRIS and NovaPACS Radiology System

NovaRad's NovaRIS/NovaPACS 7.1 combined radiology system will be helpful for hospitals, imaging centers and clinics improve reading and scheduling efficiencies for enhancement in the productivity. NovaPacs offers fast image retrieval; full-feature viewer with interface which can be understood easily and also has 7-year on-site archive with off site emergency back up.

The combined RIS/PACS system is a web based system which runs on the same open source platform for speedy installation… Continue

Added by radRounds Radiology Network on January 7, 2009 at 10:00am — No Comments

Proponents call CMS proposed PET coverage decision ‘bittersweet’

January 7, 2009 Proponents call CMS proposed PET coverage decision ‘bittersweet’ By H.A. Abella -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- A proposal by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services to expand coverage of FDG-PET studies elicited mixed reactions among proponents. Though some applauded the move, others, particularly PET researchers, felt that it fell short of expectations. CMS proposes to cover one FDG-PET study for Medicare beneficiaries… Continue

Added by Diagnostic Imaging on January 7, 2009 at 4:00am — No Comments

Medicare proposes expanded coverage for cancer-related FDG-PET

January 7, 2009 Medicare proposes expanded coverage for cancer-related FDG-PET By James Brice -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services proposed Tuesday to grant routine Medicare payment for numerous cancer-related FDG-PET applications evaluated by the National Oncology PET Registry, a program managed by the American College of Radiology Imaging Network. The proposed coverage determination potentially… Continue

Added by Diagnostic Imaging on January 7, 2009 at 3:30am — No Comments

FDA approves first imaging agent for MR angiography in U.S.

January 7, 2009 FDA approves first imaging agent for MR angiography in U.S. By Rebekah Moan -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 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. The agency approved the New Drug Application for Vasovist on Dec. 24. Epix Pharmaceuticals, the agent's… Continue

Added by Diagnostic Imaging on January 7, 2009 at 3:00am — No Comments

Now a safer eye cover mask for medical MRI and Radiology and imaging practitioners

Terry Weber of Originals by Weber introduces their new MRI Safe Eye Cover examination mask. This new product in specially designed to enhance radiological procedures and assists radiologists during MRI and Radiology examination of patients. This mask is made of disposable lightweight black foam. At the same time the product is nontoxic and comes with an adjustable elastic strap. The best thing about this product is that, it extremely comfortable to wear and come at a very low cost. The company… Continue

Added by radRounds Radiology Network on January 6, 2009 at 10:10am — No Comments

Vertebroplasty data hint at negative effect on patient survival

January 6, 2009 Vertebroplasty data hint at negative effect on patient survival By H.A. Abella -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 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. Vertebroplasty has long been validated as a safe and effective treatment for patients with vertebral compression fractures from osteoporosis.… Continue

Added by Diagnostic Imaging on January 6, 2009 at 4:00am — No Comments

Awkward, illegal patient info sneaks into PowerPoint files

January 5, 2009 Awkward, illegal patient info sneaks into PowerPoint files By Philip Ward -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Radiologists should take much greater care over the patient information contained in their PowerPoint files, according to researchers from the University of Michigan. "Think twice before publicly releasing PowerPoint files," said Dr. Frank Londy, lead author of an informatics education exhibit at RSNA 2008. "Review common… Continue

Added by Diagnostic Imaging on January 5, 2009 at 4:00am — No Comments

Imaging utilization rises where radiology presence drops

January 2, 2009 Imaging utilization rises where radiology presence drops By John C. Hayes -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Rates of diagnostic imaging utilization varied by more than 56% across the 10 Medicare regions of the U.S., according to a study presented at the RSNA meeting. The regions with the highest utilization had the lowest percentage of imaging services provided by radiologists. The study looked at trends in noninvasive imaging… Continue

Added by Diagnostic Imaging on January 2, 2009 at 4:00am — No Comments

'Yes we can' change our minds about reform

January 1, 2009 Diagnostic Imaging. Vol. 31 No. 1 'Yes we can' change our minds about reform It's been 15 years since Hillary's effort fell apart, and I'm just starting to catch up BY ERIC TREFELNER, M.D. Dr. Trefelner is a radiologist and cofounder of NightShift Radiology. He invites comments by e-mail at ericxray@pacbell.net or fax at 650/728-5099. "Arrrgh!! Two hours on this motor vehicle accident case with CTs of the head, face, chest, abdomen, pelvis, lower extremities, and cervical,… Continue

Added by Diagnostic Imaging on January 1, 2009 at 12:30pm — No Comments

When the RSNA throws the book at us, we read it all

January 1, 2009 Diagnostic Imaging. Vol. 31 No. 1 When the RSNA throws the book at us, we read it all At 1186 pages, much of it in agate (very small) type, the RSNA 2008 program book is a pretty imposing document. Few people or organizations can claim to have reviewed most of it. But the Diagnostic Imaging news team did. Every year, for 11 years running, we've divided the program book by topics and conducted a comprehensive review that is summarized and shared as part of our RSNA coverage… Continue

Added by Diagnostic Imaging on January 1, 2009 at 12:30pm — No Comments

Ultrasound predicts stroke from carotid morphology

January 1, 2009 Diagnostic Imaging. Vol. 31 No. 1 Ultrasound predicts stroke from carotid morphology A large Italian study suggests that ultrasound can predict the risk of stroke in mostly asymptomatic patients based on the assessment of carotid artery plaque morphology, not just the degree of stenosis. Sonographic surveillance of plaque evolution could boost stroke prevention. Based on a prospective cohort of 1655 patients who underwent ultrasound-based assessments of carotid plaque… Continue

Added by Diagnostic Imaging on January 1, 2009 at 12:30pm — No Comments

True value comes to digital imaging via mining of medical databases

January 1, 2009 Diagnostic Imaging. Vol. 31 No. 1 True value comes to digital imaging via mining of medical databases BY JOHN C. HAYES, EDITOR For most of the past 15 years or so, radiologists joining the digital revolution have focused on getting their images into the PACS—and out again, properly annotated with a report. For many today, that's still the primary function of a RIS and PACS. That's changing rapidly. Though still largely the province of large academic institutions, data mining… Continue

Added by Diagnostic Imaging on January 1, 2009 at 12:30pm — No Comments

Targeted therapies gain ground on hard-to-treat liver tumors

January 1, 2009 Diagnostic Imaging. Vol. 31 No. 1 Targeted therapies gain ground on hard-to-treat liver tumors Radioactive microspheres treat lesions but spare healthy surrounding tissue, improving patients' odds against some of the deadliest cancers BY ANDREW KENNEDY, M.D., FACRO Dr. Kennedy is co-medical director of Wake Radiology Oncology in Cary, NC. Not long ago, our approach to treating difficult metastatic tumors was to "spray and pray." We knew that chemotherapy and other traditional… Continue

Added by Diagnostic Imaging on January 1, 2009 at 12:00pm — No Comments

SPECT trial helps solve mystery of fibromyalgia

January 1, 2009 Diagnostic Imaging. Vol. 31 No. 1 SPECT trial helps solve mystery of fibromyalgia By Rebekah Moan Millions of adults who suffer from chronic pain may no longer need to bear the added burden of wondering if their discomfort originates from a condition called fibromyalgia rather than depression or anxiety. French researchers have used SPECT to identify brain abnormalities that present physiological evidence of fibromyalgia. …

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Added by Diagnostic Imaging on January 1, 2009 at 12:00pm — No Comments

South Carolina radiologist stands against 'Rad Scare'

January 1, 2009 Diagnostic Imaging. Vol. 31 No. 1 South Carolina radiologist stands against 'Rad Scare' He encourages cardiac imagers to balance clinical risks and benefits of ionizing radiation By H.A. Abella Radiologists were urged at the RSNA meeting to combat distorted reports about cardiac CT radiation exposure that raise unreasonable public anxiety about the risk of medical imaging. Dr. Joseph Schoepf, a professor of radiology at the Medical University of South Carolina in Charleston,… Continue

Added by Diagnostic Imaging on January 1, 2009 at 11:30am — No Comments