CT

In the aftermath of Medicare’s less than encouraging evaluation of virtual CT colonography for colorectal cancer screening, Dr. Elizabeth McFarland used the RSNA’s Annual Oration in Diagnostic Radiology to identify past achievements and ongoing initiatives she believes will lead to the modality’s acceptance.

Low-dose PET/CT demonstrates the best sensitivity and specificity for initial staging of lymphoma, according to a study presented on Thursday at the RSNA meeting.

Increased use of CT for pneumonia is unlikely to be the sole cause of increased hospital costs at Brigham and Women’s Hospital, according to a study presented Dec. 5 at RSNA

In the aftermath of Medicare’s less than encouraging evaluation of virtual CT colonography for colorectal cancer screening, Dr. Elizabeth McFarland used the RSNA’s Annual Oration in Diagnostic Radiology to identify past achievements and ongoing initiatives she believes will lead to the modality’s acceptance.

In response to demands for evidence that cardiac CT will positively affect patient outcomes, researchers presented results at the RSNA conference Wednesday attesting to its value for identifying which intermediate risk patients are most likely to suffer future catastrophic coronary events.

In response to demands for evidence that cardiac CT will positively affect patient outcomes, researchers presented results at the RSNA conference Wednesday attesting to its value for identifying which intermediate risk patients are most likely to suffer future catastrophic coronary events.

Philips Healthcare showcased at RSNA 2008 a hybrid SPECT/CT that incorporates a flat-panel x-ray system in place of a standard multislice CT. The FDA-cleared scanner, BrightView XCT, which debuted at the Society of Nuclear Medicine meeting in New Orleans, is built around the BrightView SPECT that Philips released commercially last year.

CT colonography can screen for both colorectal cancer and osteoporosis reliably at minimal additional cost and time, according to a study presented Tuesday at the RSNA meeting.

The availability of a portable CT scanner in an emergency room significantly increases the number of patients who are eligible for life-saving treatment.

Stroke victims get faster “door-to-CT” time when departments communicate effectively, especially when emergency medical staff is called while the patient is en route to the hospital.

Siemens Healthcare showcased at RSNA 2008 a PET/CT designed with radiologists in mind. It emphasizes CT performance and casts PET as the “smart contrast” that enhances the dynamic information delivered by CT. Siemens is pitching the CT component of its new Biograph mCT (molecular CT) as the most important part of the scanner and the PET component as delivering complementary information.

GE launches new digital XR systemsPhilips unveils new 16-slice CTDigital stereotaxy adds to GE digital mammoTouchscreen enhances GE compact ultrasound

The news was mixed for CT in the emergency department in research presented Wednesday at the RSNA meeting. CT was found to be better than ultrasound for diagnosing ER patients with abdominal pain, but radiation dose can be drastically reduced for patients suspected of appendicitis, according to authors of several studies.

Radiologists should aggressively contest otherwise scientifically sound information on cardiac CT radiation risks that is taken out of context or blown out of proportion, fomenting unreasonable fears of medical imaging among patients.

More stringent criteria to evaluate emergency room patients under 40 years of age with suspected pulmonary embolism could decrease radiation exposure while also saving time and money, according to research presented at the RSNA meeting.

The Brilliance iCT SP (scalable platform) scanner officially joined the Philips CT portfolio at RSNA 2008.

The 2008 RSNA meeting serves as a reference point of sorts for two important trials testing the clinical efficacy of multislice cardiac CT. Results from the Core64 trials of 64-slice coronary CTA were published Nov. 28 while plans for a Core320 trial were announced in Chicago at the RSNA show.

FiatLux Imaging leveraged advances in the video gaming industry to develop software for processing 3D medical images, a product made to order for tight budgets.

A new configuration of GE Healthcare’s LightSpeed VCT cuts dose by up to 40% during routine imaging, according to the company.

Researchers using a massive database of radiology reports to identify 10-year trends in scanning practices found mixed results. The good news: CT scans of children increased only slightly. In adults, however, they increased more than 50%, with abdominal and chest scans leading the way.

Supplier highlights image enhancement softwarePhilips expands CT portfolio with 128-slice CTToshiba unveils breast MR suiteToshiba extends ultrasound reach in breast imagingGE launches low-dose LightSpeed VCTGE debuts thin-client 3D system

Cohort studies presented in a scientific session Sunday showed progress toward employing coronary CT angiography to evaluate the patency of coronary artery stents.

Desist using just RECIST when monitoring neuroendocrine tumors. A combined imaging approach that draws on both molecular and morphological information provides a much better measure of early treatment response, according to a leading German nuclear medicine specialist.

Oncology patients have a fourfold risk above the general population of developing pulmonary embolism. If the patient is receiving chemotherapy, the risk is even greater. Irish radiologists have found that imaging these patients with thin-slice CT during routine staging or restaging can pinpoint clinically unsuspected pulmonary embolism.

Targeted radiation of breast cancer reduces treatment time from six and a half weeks to five days, while reducing pain and improving cosmetic outcome, according to a study presented at the RSNA meeting.

Philips unveils MR scanners at 3T and 1.5T GE debuts MR flagships at 1.5T and 3T GE features new flagship CT Canon readies fluoro offering Philips names CMO

CT angiography of the abdominal aorta is a wellacceptedmodality in the evaluation of bothaneurismal and occlusive disease. In patientswith abdominal aorta aneurysms, it has a major rolein all stages of evaluation.

Nuclear medicine services in 20European countries, the U.S., andCanada are learning to cope with thepotential daily disruptions in the normalsupply of molybdenum-99 fromthe forced shutdown of the High FluxReactor in Petten, the Netherlands.

A new CT scanner built on Siemens’ unique dual-source x-ray technology promises to dramatically reduce dose and eliminate motion artifact in the chest. Using two x-ray tubes and matching detectors, the Somatom Definition Flash, debuted at RSNA 2008, opens the door to routine scanning of the coronaries, according to the company.

In a bid to extend radiation oncology applications, engineers at Philips Healthcare have widened the bore of the company’s premium Gemini TF PET/CT scanner to create the industry’s first big-bore hybrid. Priced north of $2 million, the Gemini TF Big Bore is scheduled to begin shipping next year. Philips is showcasing the Big Bore this week on the RSNA exhibit floor, and beta testing will begin at the University of Pennsylvania Hospital in the next several months.