Diagnostic Imaging's Blog

Thermal effects of fetal US remain uncertain

September 8, 2008 Diagnostic Imaging. Thermal effects of fetal US remain uncertain -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- A study on thermal effects of diagnostic fetal ultrasound could not confirm a causal relationship between exposure and obvious adverse effects. Study authors cautioned, however, that subtle effects cannot be ruled out and called for more research. The report, led by Dr. Jacques S. Abramowicz of Rush University Medical Center, cited… Continue

Added by Diagnostic Imaging on September 8, 2008 at 10:00pm — No Comments

PET finds early coronary disease in diabetic patients

September 8, 2008 Diagnostic Imaging. PET finds early coronary disease in diabetic patients -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- PET may be diagnostically more powerful than ultrasound or CT for identifying early coronary artery disease in patients with type 2 diabetes. Nuclear cardiologist Dr. Thomas Schindler and colleagues at the University of Geneva in Switzerland and the University of California, Los Angeles measured coronary endothelium… Continue

Added by Diagnostic Imaging on September 8, 2008 at 10:00pm — No Comments

Nighthawks prove less popular than fears suggest

September 8, 2008 Diagnostic Imaging. Nighthawks prove less popular than fears suggest -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Dispelling concerns about teleradiology encroachment, a Yale University survey has found that use of external after-hours services accounts for a small percentage of radiology practices' total interpretations. Lead investigator Dr. Jonathan H. Sunshine and colleagues randomly selected 300 nonspecialty hospitals from the 2005… Continue

Added by Diagnostic Imaging on September 8, 2008 at 9:30pm — No Comments

MR guidance permits more precise localization

September 8, 2008 Diagnostic Imaging. MR guidance permits more precise localization -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Researchers from the University of Cologne in Germany report that real-time MR-guided wire localization of suspicious breast lesions using an open 1T scanner permits correction of the needle position during placement and reduces interventional procedure time. The study, published in Radiology, monitored needle placement in 30 women… Continue

Added by Diagnostic Imaging on September 8, 2008 at 9:30pm — No Comments

Mammo benefits improve, but recruiting remains big challenge

September 8, 2008 Diagnostic Imaging. Mammo benefits improve, but recruiting remains big challenge Malpractice and reimbursement worries depress supply, as breast experts make up largest pool of vacancies in academic settings BY YOMI WRONG -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- It's been a year since practice manager Lorna Vaughan took out an ad seeking a breast imager to work on the Jersey Shore. To her surprise, a "dream-come-true, fee-for-service,… Continue

Added by Diagnostic Imaging on September 8, 2008 at 9:30pm — No Comments

Learning digital mammography proves difficult but worth the effort

September 8, 2008 Diagnostic Imaging. Learning digital mammography proves difficult but worth the effort John C. Hayes -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Throughout its 30-year history, Diagnostic Imaging has tracked issues surrounding the adoption and development of new imaging technology. Rarely, however, have we looked closely at the question of the learning curves associated with this new technology. This month marks an exception. Our cover… Continue

Added by Diagnostic Imaging on September 8, 2008 at 9:30pm — No Comments

CT radiation may spark pacemaker malfunctions

September 8, 2008 Diagnostic Imaging. CT radiation may spark pacemaker malfunctions -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- The FDA Center for Devices and Radiological Health has warned imaging services that ionizing radiation from multislice CT scanners can cause implantable devices to malfunction. The incidence of radiation-induced pacemaker and implantable device malfunction has risen in recent years, mostly due to increased multislice CT use, said… Continue

Added by Diagnostic Imaging on September 8, 2008 at 9:30pm — No Comments

CT imaging detects markers of vulnerable carotid plaque

September 8, 2008 Diagnostic Imaging. CT imaging detects markers of vulnerable carotid plaque Advances in angiography using multislice systems take assessments beyond calcium readings and luminal narrowing to artery wall itself BY RAJIV MAGGE, SANDEEP ARORA, MBBS, BRUNO P. SOARES, M.D., BENISON C. LAU, ELIZABETH TONG, AND MAX WINTERMARK, M.D -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Stroke remains a leading cause of death in the U.S. and is the principal… Continue

Added by Diagnostic Imaging on September 8, 2008 at 9:30pm — No Comments

Medicare proposals attack self-referrals

September 5, 2008 Diagnostic Imaging. Medicare proposals attack self-referrals Proposal would make nonhospital imaging subject to IDTF, anti-markup restrictions BY THOMAS W. GREESON, J.D. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- It is hardly a coincidence that the General Accountability Office released a major report on the growth of Medicare Part B imaging services at the same time the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services issued sweeping rules that… Continue