Paula Gould

Articles by Paula Gould

The topic of radiation protection has moved steadily up the political agenda over the past decade. Headline-grabbing research detailing the rise in medical radiation exposure and forging a link between imaging and cancer has helped to focus attention on the need to do something. But what exactly should be done? Tighter legislation, better self-regulation, or improved education? The probable answer is all three.

Rheumatoid arthritis, which affects approximately 2.9 million people in Europe, can be difficult to differentiate from other forms of arthritis. Without an early diagnosis, however, it is impossible to assess the true effect of promising early intervention strategies. Could an alternative diagnostic imaging strategy be the answer?

If radiologists could design the perfect modality for guiding interventional procedures, the resulting technology would undoubtedly produce high-quality images without exposing patients to any ionizing radiation. So given the widespread availability of MRI, why are so many interventions still performed in the angiography suite?

Yes, size does matter, but it is certainly not the only way to monitor the efficacy of cancer treatment. The way in which lesions are measured is extremely important as well, ECR delegates were told at a special focus session on the assessment of tumor response.

Forensic radiography sessions have become a fixture at medical imaging conferences. Delegates are typically guaranteed a good visual show, with presenters displaying many novel images that would seldom be seen in clinical radiology departments. The sessions are, to some extent, radiology’s own shock and awe.