Connecting Radiology | Enabling collaboration and professional development

October 2008 Blog Posts (116)

EBAY for Medicine and Diagnostic Radiology: Telerays Enters the Market

A new and interesting way to address the ever growing shortage of highly qualified radiologists, Telerays (http://www.telerays.com) has been founded by Houston-based Radiologist Dr. Daniel Roubein, MD. Telerays is essentially an auction-based system for delivery of radiology services, as some have already referred to as an EBAY for radiology and radiologists.

Unlike beanie babies and used car parts, medicine is a much different service and product. Not an uncontroversial topic and… Continue

Added by Jennifer Larson on October 22, 2008 at 4:30pm — 1 Comment

Obama’s health plan leads McCain’s in website poll

October 21, 2008 Obama’s health plan leads McCain’s in website poll John C. Hayes Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama's health plan continues to hold a lead over the plan put forth by Republican John McCain in a survey being conducted at DiagnosticImaging.com. As of Oct. 20, the survey had received 231 votes. Obama's plan was favored by 45% and McCain's by 40%. Another 6% favored a different plan, 6% favored no plan, and 3% were undecided. The survey was posted on Oct. 7 and is… Continue

Added by Diagnostic Imaging on October 21, 2008 at 11:00pm — No Comments

News Update from our Partner: WhichInterventionalDevice (WID)

Dear Colleague,

Here's whats new on WID. (Remember that you may unsubscribe from our occasional news letters via the link at the end of this email, your email address and details will never be disclosed).

CIRSE 2008 in Copenhagen was an excellent event. As usual there was an excellent exhibition area with a large range of manufacturers displaying their latest and most innovative products. Here are a few that caught my eye:

The Biotronic Dynamic renal stent. This… Continue

Added by radRounds Radiology Network on October 21, 2008 at 11:30am — No Comments

Simple ultrasound test diagnoses deep venous thrombosis

October 20, 2008 Simple ultrasound test diagnoses deep venous thrombosis James Brice Simpler is better when it comes to ultrasound applications for detecting deep vein thrombosis of the lower extremities. An Italian study found no significant difference in diagnostic power for this indication between two-point compression ultrasound plus a D-dimer exam and the more complex whole-leg compression ultrasonography. The study was published in the Oct. 8 issue of the Journal of the American Medical… Continue

Added by Diagnostic Imaging on October 20, 2008 at 11:00pm — No Comments

Sonohysterography may be associated with less chance of endometrial cancer dissemination

October 20, 2008 (WISCONSIN) - According to a recent report published in the “American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology” for September issue, it is found out that though sonohysterography is associated with transtubal fluid spills, there is less chance of endometrial cancer cell disseminating during any procedure.

Dr. David M. Kushner who is from the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health in Madison told Reuters Health that Sonohysterography is performed… Continue

Added by radRounds Radiology Network on October 20, 2008 at 1:30am — No Comments

Optical Imaging Innovation Update: Autofluorescence Videoendoscopy improves the chances of discovery of Colon Polyp.

(REUTERS) According to a report by the Reuters Health, Autofluorescence Videoendoscopy improves the chances of discovery of Colon Polyp.

According to the results of a study undertaken by some Japanese investigators, Compared to the white light colonoscopy, a new Autofluorescence Imaging Videoendoscopy System (AFI) can improve the detection chances of colon polyps. AFI system is developed by Olympus Medical Systems.

The lead investigator of this study Dr. Matsuda told… Continue

Added by radRounds Radiology Network on October 19, 2008 at 1:30am — No Comments

Surviving interviews for radiology residency!

It's that time of the year again. Many a medical student have navigated the waters of residency applications and the "interview trail." We here at radRounds are here to help you -- if you ever have any questions, please email us at residencyadvice@radrounds.com and dedicated volunteers who are staff attending radiologists and residents at premier institutions have volunteered to offer CONFIDENTIAL AND FREE advice. Our partner, Student Doctor Network (SDN)… Continue

Added by radRounds Radiology Network on October 18, 2008 at 10:00am — No Comments

Outsourcing is hot; don’t get burned

October 17, 2008 Outsourcing is hot; don’t get burned Douglas Page Teleradiology and the outsourcing of imaging studies continue to proliferate, but that doesn't mean they are always the right answer. Questions often arise over risks and rewards related to the practice, and how those risks and rewards vary among different practice models. "Outsourcing is a topic we [radiologists] need to understand well if we are to make informed choices about the future of radiology, our practices, and our own… Continue

Added by Diagnostic Imaging on October 17, 2008 at 11:30pm — No Comments

Medical de-identification system addresses health records privacy issues

October 17, 2008 Medical de-identification system addresses health records privacy issues Douglas Page The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act safeguards patient personal health information, but it also tends to complicate medical research by inhibiting access to medical records necessary to develop public health measures. A new medical de-identification tool announced in September by researchers at the Regenstrief Institute at the University of Indiana offers a way around this… Continue

Added by Diagnostic Imaging on October 17, 2008 at 11:00pm — No Comments

Medical de-identification system addresses health records privacy issues

Added by Diagnostic Imaging on October 17, 2008 at 11:00pm — No Comments

Federal legal opinion opens door to referring physician kickbacks

October 17, 2008 Federal legal opinion opens door to referring physician kickbacks James Brice An advisory legal opinion from the Department of Health and Human Services in favor of a specialized service to handle the processing of high-tech preauthorization requests for referring physicians has drawn a mixed response among legal and industry authorities. In a Sept. 19 report (OIG Advisory Opinion No. 08-12), the Office of Inspector General of the HHS concluded that the proposed service would… Continue

Added by Diagnostic Imaging on October 17, 2008 at 11:00pm — No Comments

Choosing next PACS gets complicated, especially where RIS is concerned

October 17, 2008 Diagnostic Imaging. Choosing next PACS gets complicated, especially where RIS is concerned Douglas Page Heated debates are not restricted to political circles. One debate currently flourishing in the imaging informatics community is whether to go with single or multiple vendors when purchasing or replacing a RIS or PACS. PACS have been around long enough that many hospitals are upgrading legacy systems to newer generations. An important consideration is whether to replace the… Continue

Added by Diagnostic Imaging on October 17, 2008 at 11:00pm — No Comments

Inhibition of melanogenesis helps sensitize melanoma cells to gamma radiation

According to a recent report published in the September issue of “International Journal of Cancer” notes that the inhibition of melanogenesis helps sensitize melanoma cells to the gamma radiation.

Dr. Andrzej T. Slominski from the “University of Tennessee Health Science Center” in Memphis said to the Reuters Health that he believes the concept is ready for clinical trials in the very near future. As chelators of heavy metals are allowed by FDA for treatment of diseases, the treatment… Continue

Added by radRounds Radiology Network on October 17, 2008 at 6:30pm — No Comments

Radiation Therapy Oncology Group (RTOG) and US Oncology Enter Collaboration to Increase Patient Access to National Clinical Trials

HOUSTON, October 15, 2008—The Radiation Therapy Oncology Group (RTOG) and US Oncology, Inc. today announced they have entered into a collaboration to increase patient access to national cancer clinical trials with a radiation focus in the community setting.

The collaboration means patients receiving cancer care at practices affiliated with US Oncology have access to RTOG trials for disease sites including brain, head & neck, lung, gastrointestinal, genitourinary, cervix, and… Continue

Added by radRounds Radiology Network on October 17, 2008 at 9:00am — No Comments

CT scans does not increase sensitivity of lung cancer detection

According to the researchers at New York University, the use of Computed Tomography to steer away bronchoscopy doesn't seem to increase the sensitivity of the lung cancer detection when compared the same with conventional bronchoscopy,

Dr. David Ost and his colleagues from the New York University had compared the ability of Computed Tomography scan-guided bronchoscopy with the conventional approach to detect the peripheral lesions and the mediastinal lymph nodes in approximately… Continue

Added by radRounds Radiology Network on October 17, 2008 at 4:00am — No Comments

Radiation provides additive benefit to hormonal therapy in prostate cancer

Men suffering with locally advanced prostate cancer, addition of radiation related treatment to their anti-androgen hormone reduces the risk of mortality by 50% over a period of ten years, compared to the hormone treatment independently.

This is according to a randomized research presented on Monday at the “American Society for Therapeutic Radiology and Oncology's” fiftieth Annual Meeting held in Boston.

The lead investigator of the study who also presented this report at… Continue

Added by radRounds Radiology Network on October 17, 2008 at 12:30am — No Comments

Teleradiology's financial forecast shows chance of rain

October 17, 2008 Teleradiology's financial forecast shows chance of rain Cooler climate, gusty winds ruffle industry's steady rise as reimbursement woes ripple out of hospitals and imaging centers Teleradiology's relatively smooth sail into the waters of commercial success may be in for some turbulence as prices per read drop like a barometer in a hurricane. Most of the pressure forcing rates downward comes from the perfect storm of increased competition, reduced reimbursements, commoditization… Continue

Added by Diagnostic Imaging on October 17, 2008 at 12:00am — No Comments

Teleradiology answers ring of phone images

October 17, 2008 Teleradiology answers ring of phone images A unique touchscreen iPhone-teleradiology application that allows physicians to navigate through diagnostic images from home, train, or golf cart was announced in June at the Apple user's meeting by an Ohio biomedical company. The system from MIMvista of Cleveland is called MIM. It lets radiologists and physicians retrieve digital images wirelessly on their iPhone or iPod touch, then manipulate the images with workstation functionality… Continue

Added by Diagnostic Imaging on October 17, 2008 at 12:00am — No Comments

Quackery smears MR

October 16, 2008 Quackery smears MR Greg Freiherr Last week the FDA posted a recall notice on its website, notifying healthcare providers that the maker of the Nebion HLX-8 Magnetic Resonance Device had made unsupported claims. The marketing folks behind this product apparently believed it possessed quasi-magical powers. From its single-pole mount several feet above floor level, this tube-like device, reminiscent of an oversized thermos bottle, had the power to treat breast, bone, lung, and… Continue

Added by Diagnostic Imaging on October 16, 2008 at 12:30am — No Comments

Significant benefit of initiating hormonal therapy sooner in men suffering from early prostate cancer

According to a recent research, there is a significant benefit of initiating hormonal therapy sooner in men suffering from early prostate cancer. Especially those men who experience a rapid doubling of Prostate-Specific Antigen (PSA) level within six months of the start of their radiation therapy.

The researchers were also view that holding on to hormonal therapy in men whose Prostate-Specific Antigen (PSA) increased more slowly in relatively longer period of time.

This… Continue

Added by radRounds Radiology Network on October 16, 2008 at 12:30am — No Comments