If digital radiography beckons but funds are a problem, Viztek may have the answer. The company introduced at RSNA 2008 a turnkey CR/PACS. Its new Opal-MD combines enterprise-level Opal-RAD PACS with Kodak’s Point-of-Care CR. The value-priced package is designed specifically for private practice physicians, yet it will deliver a range of advanced features. These include digital image viewing in multiple exam rooms, image autorouting, CD burning, and film printing.

PET niche developer Naviscan arrived at the RSNA meeting with permission from the FDA to launch its Stereo Navigator, a biopsy guidance feature for its breast-specific PET scanner. Stereo Navigator can localize lesions as small as 2 mm. It uses a stereotactic frame fixed between the scanner’s paddles to guide a biopsy needle into the breast. Localization is verified using a PET-visible line source inserted into the needle track. This allows the user to confirm trajectory and position. The PET-guidance accessory is compatible with biopsy devices from Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Hologic, and SenoRx.

Legal and regulatory issues have a growing impact on how radiologists perform procedures and studies, report results, and structure their practices. Implementing a simple checklist may help to reduce the prospect of being sued for malpractice.

PACS/IT vendor Emageon and teleradiology provider Virtual Radiologic showcased teleradiology products at the RSNA meeting. Emageon’s Outside Study Gateway (OSG) allows facilities to transmit PACS images to a recipient hospital’s PACS. Studies are transmitted securely across a virtual private network, with OSG software automatically performing integrity checks of the data.

The superpremium Discovery CT750 HD (high definition) CT scanner debuted Sunday in the GE Healthcare booth. It features technology shown as work-in-progress at last year’s RSNA meeting that boosts spatial resolution to 230 microns and improves contrast resolution 33% in the body to 21.5 lp/cm and 47% in the heart to 14 lp/cm, according to the company.

Results of a three-year trial at Massachusetts General Hospital show that half of patients presenting with chest pain but at low or intermediate risk of acute coronary syndrome can be safely discharged following a negative 64-slice coronary CT evaluation.

Using surveillance of 6 to 9-mm polyps with CT colonography instead of referring them for immediate colonoscopy and polypectomy provides a significant cost-effectiveness edge, according to a study presented Sunday.

Invivo introduced at RSNA 2008 its sixth-generation vital signs monitor for use in MR suites. The Precess Patient Management Configuration uses the industry’s first wireless ECG and wireless SpO2 patient vital signs. Built on the company’s flagship Precess 3160 platform, the new system features a flexible mounting that allows attachment to anesthesia machines, a wall, or an MRI table.

Enhancements in breast imaging mark the latest ultrasound upgrade from Philips Healthcare. Tissue aberration correction technology and algorithms built into the Vision 2009 upgrade for its iU22 radiological flagship are part of an integrated effort to better define tissue in fatty breasts, according to the company. An enabling technology is the Philips PureWave transducer and its coded beamformer, which have been present on earlier technologies.

Elastrography forms the cornerstone of an ultrasound system unveiled by first-time RSNA exhibitor SuperSonic Imagine. The Aixplorer system is dedicated to breast imaging. It differentiates healthy from cancerous tissues by quantifying differences in the elasticity of the tissues. SuperSonic’s ShearWave Elastography technique produces consistent results regardless of the operator’s skill, according to the company.

Lifelong learning in an era of globalized healthcare science and practice is essential, according to Sunday’s opening session of RSNA 2008, which also stressed the need for standardization in training and certification.

A new technique may help characterize diffusion anisotropy in the spinal cord in a clinical setting. Researchers have determined that using 3D single-shot diffusion-weighted stimulated echo-planar imaging in the cervical spinal cord results in higher resolution and less distortion than 2D single-shot diffusion-weighted echo-planar imaging.

Prostate-specific antigen measurements are considered a useful organ-specific marker, but they are not necessarily an adequate tumor marker. PET/CT in combination with PSA levels can play a significant role in detecting and staging prostate cancer, according to two presentations Sunday at RSNA 2008.

The imminent publication of eagerly anticipated new international guidelines promises to transform the complex area of lung cancer staging.

Results from the largest and longest trial of its kind suggest that patients with intermediate and advanced hepatocellular carcinomas who undergo systematic treatment with three chemotherapeutic agents and arterial embolization plus imaging follow-up have better survival rates than those who undergo nonstandardized chemoembolization regimes.

The RSNA will underscore the unique achievements of Japanese imaging researchers in “Japan Presents,” a presentation of seven scientific papers focusing on diagnostic radiology. On Monday, Dec. 1, each paper will be introduced with the Japanese spin on ideas and concepts.

Themes emerging from breast imaging abstracts at the upcoming RSNA include the increased use of breast MRI, full-field digital mammography versus film-screen mammography, and more.

You can tell by the titles of special focus sessions planned for the 2008 RSNA that program committee chair Dr. Robert M. Quencer sees an opportunity to use the sessions to examine tough issues affecting clinical imaging practice.

Highlights of the 2008 RSNA meeting include discussions about the use of CT angiography as a noninvasive technique for diagnosing coronary artery disease and the replacement of standard optical colonoscopy with CT colonography to screen for colon cancer.

There is nothing like a little momentum to help the RSNA organizers present the latest developments in imaging research in the meeting’s scientific sessions. Everyone associated with imaging sciences from Beijing to New York City understands that presenting research in Chicago is an essential requirement for membership in this unique community.