November 14, 2008 System links fax to PACS automatically By Douglas Page Accessing patient information remains a challenge in teleradiology settings, but researchers have found a way to incorporate this information in DICOM image files. Current solutions to this problem generally take the form of faxing clinical paperwork to teleradiologists. This method, however, is cumbersome, requires manual intervention, and is untenable once more than a few patients are involved. …
Continue
Added by Diagnostic Imaging on November 14, 2008 at 9:30pm —
No Comments
November 14, 2008 Proper hydration enhances contrast-induced nephropathy prevention By H.A. Abella Pre-imaging intravenous hydration with sodium chloride remains the best prophylactic approach against contrast-induced nephropathy in patients with impaired renal function who must undergo coronary angiography, according to results from a large multicenter trial. Contrast-induced nephropathy leads to considerable complications, prolonged hospital stays, and nearly $200 million a year in healthcare…
Continue
Added by Diagnostic Imaging on November 14, 2008 at 9:30pm —
No Comments
November 14, 2008 On the edge of a digital black hole By Greg Freiherr It seems like we have been waiting forever for PACS to arrive. The first of these systems appeared three decades ago, an anomaly on the RSNA exhibit floor. They were the harbingers of a technology whose use, unlike that of CT or MR scanners, produced no revenue. Their adoption required so much: an embrace of efficiency, the digitalization of radiography, and a willingness to soft-read every imaging study. It would be nice to…
Continue
Added by Diagnostic Imaging on November 14, 2008 at 9:30pm —
No Comments
November 13, 2008 Report from AHA: Vulnerable plaques factor into heart attack risk calculation By James Brice A combined diagnostic approach enhances clinical assessment of heart attack risk, according to a lecture at an American Heart Association conference this week. Such an approach would take into account vulnerable arterial plaques, traditional risk factors, and measures of atherosclerotic disease severity. Dr. Morteza Naghavi, founder and chair of Screening for Heart Attack Prevention…
Continue
Added by Diagnostic Imaging on November 13, 2008 at 9:30pm —
No Comments
November 12, 2008 Medical imaging for managed care plan doubles in 10 years By James Brice A Seattle nonprofit managed care plan has experienced the same rapid growth in high-tech medical imaging utilization as federal health insurance programs. The 377,000-member Group Health Cooperative's per-beneficiary use of high-tech imaging more than doubled from 1997 to 2006, according to researchers from GHC's Center for Health Studies and the University of California, San Francisco. Their findings…
Continue
Added by Diagnostic Imaging on November 12, 2008 at 9:30pm —
No Comments
November 11, 2008 Organizers expand scope of Image Gently radiation reduction program By H.A. Abella The Alliance for Radiation Safety in Pediatric Imaging is expanding the scope of its Image Gently awareness efforts. The move to protect patients from unnecessary exposure to imaging-related ionizing radiation includes the participation of CareCore National, a radiology benefits management company that will apply its guidelines to a member network of 28 million people. The Bluffton, SC, company…
Continue
Added by Diagnostic Imaging on November 11, 2008 at 10:00pm —
No Comments
November 11, 2008 MedCast provides residents better distance learning solution By Douglas Page Finding an acceptable way to facilitate distance learning can be a challenge, especially for multicenter residency programs. These programs require residents to rotate through offsite locations, meaning they are frequently unavailable to attend conferences held at the central site. Researchers at the University of Virginia Health System have devised a remedy in the form of MedCast, a computer system…
Continue
Added by Diagnostic Imaging on November 11, 2008 at 10:00pm —
No Comments
November 10, 2008 Two-second CT scan turns into 65-minute ordeal for toddler By Donna Domino Parents of a two-year-old boy are suing a California hospital after their son allegedly was subjected to more than 65 minutes of intermittent scanning in a CT machine, leaving him with radiation burns on his face and head. Jacoby Roth was taken to the 78-bed Mad River Community Hospital in Arcata, a small town 290 miles north of San Francisco, on Jan. 23. His parents, Carrie and Padre, took him to the…
Continue
Added by Diagnostic Imaging on November 10, 2008 at 10:00pm —
No Comments
November 7, 2008 Medical de-identification system addresses health records privacy issues By 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 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 November 7, 2008 at 10:00pm —
No Comments
November 6, 2008 The slippery slope of off-label promotion -- By Greg Freiherr When it comes to drugs, there is a huge gulf between off-label prescription and off-label promotion. One is legal, the other is not. For the most part, medical imaging doesn't get involved in either, although there are exceptions. Contrast-enhanced MR angiography is one. The first MR contrast agents were approved two decades ago, specifically to enhance cancer tumors of the central nervous system. Since then, their…
Continue
Added by Diagnostic Imaging on November 6, 2008 at 10:30pm —
No Comments
November 6, 2008 Radiology finds reassurance on sunny side of change By James Brice Radiology has already had more than its share of uncertainty in recent months. Markets for new projects have evaporated as reimbursement rates have been cut, the growth of imaging services revenue has slowed, financial capital is scarce, and potential investors have lost confidence in the economic engine of medical imaging technology. Obama’s election and the prospect of healthcare reform can help break through…
Continue
Added by Diagnostic Imaging on November 6, 2008 at 10:30pm —
No Comments
November 6, 2008 Brain blood flow plays role in fibromyalgia symptoms By Rebekah Moan In a potential breakthrough study, French researchers used SPECT to identify brain abnormalities that present physiological evidence of fibromyalgia. The results quash the idea that diffuse, sometimes debilitating pain from the condition stems from anxiety and depression. Fibromyalgia afflicts between three million and six million people in U.S., according to the National Institute of Arthritis and…
Continue
Added by Diagnostic Imaging on November 6, 2008 at 10:00pm —
No Comments
November 4, 2008 Diagnostic Imaging. Ultrasound foretells stroke risk based on carotid plaque morphology By H.A. Abella Results from a large study by Italian investigators suggest that ultrasound can predict the risk of stroke in mostly asymptomatic patients based on the assessment of carotid artery plaque morphology, not just stenosis degree. Sonographic surveillance of plaque evolution could boost stroke prevention. Researchers have previously defined the role of vascular risk factors, such…
Continue
Added by Diagnostic Imaging on November 4, 2008 at 10:30pm —
No Comments
November 4, 2008 Teleradiology interpretations may differ from final reads By Douglas Page Major discrepancies in interpretations by teleradiologists and in-house radiologists occur in approximately 6% of commonly ordered CT scans, according to a new paper. The University of California, San Francisco-Fresno study identified eight major discrepancies due to teleradiology misinterpretation in 550 cases originating in an academic Level 1 trauma center (J Emerg Med 2008 Sep 22.[Epub ahead of…
Continue
Added by Diagnostic Imaging on November 4, 2008 at 10:30pm —
No Comments
November 4, 2008 Reverse-auction process for teleradiology creates a stir By Rebekah Moan A new eBay-like model for radiologists in which the lowest bid wins a contract has alarmed some people. They cite patient safety and quality as concerns, while others claim this move is the next step for radiology. Neuroradiologist Dr. Daniel Roubein launched Telerays in October. Hospitals and imaging centers post their requests for reads on the HIPAA-compliant website of the Houston-based business, and…
Continue
Added by Diagnostic Imaging on November 4, 2008 at 10:30pm —
No Comments
November 2, 2008 Diagnostic Imaging. Vol. 30 No. 11 Multicenter trial confirms value of coronary CT angio Negative predictive rate of 99% rules out disease in patients at intermediate risk of adverse event A 16-center clinical trial has put to rest lingering questions about the ability of 64-slice cardiac CT angiography to diagnose coronary artery disease for intermediate-risk patients. The ACCURACY Trial confirmed the positive findings of numerous single-center trials that preceded it, said…
Continue
Added by Diagnostic Imaging on November 2, 2008 at 10:30pm —
No Comments
November 1, 2008 Diagnostic Imaging. Vol. 30 No. 11 Thin-client architecture taps 3D viewing for enterprise BY DOUGLAS PAGE Mr. Page is a contributing editor to Diagnostic Imaging. In a foundering national economy, it isn't surprising that capital budget constraint has become a huge issue in medical imaging. From this financial pinch, two subtrends have emerged in the area of 3D advanced visualization. First is the demand for thin-client servers that allow distribution of advanced visualization…
Continue
Added by Diagnostic Imaging on November 1, 2008 at 11:30pm —
No Comments
November 1, 2008 Diagnostic Imaging. Vol. 30 No. 11 Tech advisor CT vendors plot strategies for growth By Greg Freiherr CT vendors have diverged this year as never before, choosing technological paths to new generations of scanners that reflect their own particular engineering strengths and history of R&D. Core developments by each have translated into novel capabilities. Software and mechanical fixes have countered weaknesses. This collection of articles produced by the vendors provides a…
Continue
Added by Diagnostic Imaging on November 1, 2008 at 11:30pm —
No Comments
November 1, 2008 Diagnostic Imaging North America - November 2008 COVER STORY By: James Brice * Prior authorization takes command DEPARTMENTS Agenda By: John C. Hayes * New staffers come up to speed just in time for RSNA meeting Overread * Elite medical facilities ban commercial support of CME * MRA finds value in hydrocephalus interventions * Multicenter trial confirms value of coronary CT angio * Dynamic breast MRI helps assess axillary nodes * Carotid US predicts heart attack, stroke *…
Continue
Added by Diagnostic Imaging on November 1, 2008 at 11:30pm —
No Comments
November 1, 2008 Diagnostic Imaging Europe - November 2008 Cover Story * Calcium scoring, coronary CTA display strengths By: Gudrun M. Feuchtner, M.D., and Tony Defrance, M.D. Imaging News * Guidelines map imaging strategy to address cases of child abuse * Zerhouni announces resignation as research chief * European hospitals take action to avoid acute isotope shortage * CT proves its worth for investigating bowel obstruction * German expert looks to future in speech at world congress * Case of…
Continue
Added by Diagnostic Imaging on November 1, 2008 at 11:30pm —
No Comments
