Ultrasound

The massive American College of Radiology Imaging Network 6666 trial shows that adding ultrasound to the initial screening protocol for high-risk women could help detect 30% more cancers. The cost, however, could be many more needless biopsies of benign lesions.

Research presented at RSNA 2007 bolsters the role of MR imaging for preoperative surgical planning in patients with known breast cancer and in working up the challenging invasive lobular carcinoma.

The RSNA has decided to eliminate ultrasound as a separate subspecialty category from its annual meeting’s scientific paper program in favor of an organ-based and clinical subspecialty-based approach. The move was received with mixed reactions by radiologists and sonologists.

Of the 6000 scientific abstracts submitted to the RSNA this year, four major areas stand out, according to Dr. Gerald Dodd III, chair of the RSNA’s scientific program committee.

Plans for a clinical trial designed to overcome long-standing regulatory obstacles to the general clinical use of ultrasound contrast media in the U.S. have been knocked off track by an FDA-mandated black box safety warning for two microbubble agents approved for echocardiography.

CTA analyzer enters new channelsAIT adds image-guided biopsyMerge steps into teleradiologyBiospace med adds VPs

Ultrasound-guided prolotherapy alleviates pain in patients with chronic tendinosis of the Achilles tendon, according to University of British Columbia researchers.

Transcranial brain sonography can exclude the diagnosis of Parkinson’s disease in patients experiencing sporadic symptoms. Using exams focused on the substantia nigra and lenticular nucleus, researchers found that the difference between idiopathic Parkinson’s disease and two other movement disorders is clearer in patients under 60 years old.

Imaging advocates fear the adoption of a bundled approach to Medicare reimbursement for contrast media, radiopharmaceuticals, and the technical component of medical imaging could lead to substantial payment cuts from the Hospital Outpatient Prospective Payment System.

Acusphere preps novel ultrasound agent for FDA submissionCardiac IT morphs to handle images and patient dataContrast agent illuminates breast cancer with near-infrared lightPET scans may clear path for noninvasive lung cancer treatment

Hospitalists given focused training for conducting cardiac exams with hand-carried ultrasound systems still could not match echocardiography technicians at acquiring images, though they came closer at measurement and interpretation. Hand-carried ultrasound devices are growing in popularity, but training methods for noncardiologists have not been well defined.

Study documents value of 64-slice CT for diabetic patientsThe day may be drawing closer when CT is widely accepted as an adjunct to cardiac catheterization. Research presented this week at the American Heart Association meeting indicates that 64-slice CTs, but not those generating 16 slices per rotation, can help identify patients who need angioplasty or coronary bypass surgery. Bayer extends Magnevist supply dealCarestream cuts distribution deal, integrates ITRadlink slates computed radiography, PACS for RSNA

As the end of the year closes in, vendors find themselves trailing far behind the previous year in the number of devices cleared by the FDA for marketing in the U.S.

SonoSite engineers have tailored the design of their latest products to fit niches outside the standard bounds of diagnostic ultrasound. It’s all part of a new strategy that differs markedly from the one the company has followed through much of the decade since its founding. Although this strategy poses risks as well as opportunity, it is designed to balance the company’s current position against its future objectives.

Siemens’ mammography system rolls through Vegas Infrared breast scanner appears on television talk showEuropeans apply special catheterMindray revenues boom in 3QMindray appoints new director

Doppler ultrasound is accurate enough to equal the standard diagnostic test for temporal arteritis, which requires a biopsy of the temporal artery. This is a condition in which early diagnosis and treatment is crucial: 50% of patients with temporal arteritis lose their sight if untreated.

In a word, RSNA.

CT marked RSNA 2007 as the most exciting gathering for radiologists in recent history. But there was plenty happening outside of CT, too.

Despite its widespread use as a tool that provides rapid diagnosis at a relatively low cost without the need for bulky equipment or ionizing radiation, ultrasound faces mounting competition from modalities such as CT and MRI, which combine short acquisition times with the ability to rapidly generate multiplanar and 3D images. That may change with volume ultrasound, a technique that lets clinicians and sonographers scan the patient and rapidly analyze data from a volume of interest.

Three-D reconstructions are routinely used in the imaging of many organ systems. Not only do referring physicians and patients like the volume-rendered images, but radiologists are finding the inclusion of coronal and sagittal reformats imperative to making the most confident diagnoses. The use of advanced imaging over the last year has become important in several organs, mainly the heart/chest (Figure 1) and the abdomen/pelvis.

Mountaineering and climbing have been popular sports for many decades. The recent advent of artificial climbing walls and improved safety equipment have transformed the sport and brought it to a wider audience than ever. Such innovations allow individuals to climb safely in any weather conditions.

The onslaught of faster, smaller, more precise, and more portable ultrasound imaging technology continues. Nearly three dozen RSNA exhibitors will be showing ultrasound scanners whose portability has lately crowded onto center stage along with image quality and once optional capabilities, such as 3D/4D.

Of the 6000 scientific abstracts submitted to the RSNA this year, four major areas dominate, according to Dr. Gerald Dodd III, chair of the RSNA's scientific program committee.

Researchers in Belgium have found that MR elastography is more accurate than a blood test commonly used in the noninvasive staging of liver fibrosis. The study adds weight to clinical literature that suggests MR elastography could replace biopsy.

The live audience for Diagnostic Imaging’s Netseminar “Emerging Trends in Breast Ultrasound” had a number of questions for the faculty. Below, Dr. William Svensson responds to their queries:

MR proves genetic role for multiple sclerosisTwenty-five years ago, when the clinical value of MR was only beginning to be appreciated, one application was beyond question. MR could clearly visualize the lesions characteristic of multiple sclerosis. Now it has provided the first evidence that those with a family history of MS show more severe brain damage than patients who have no relatives with the disease. Bracco bids for E-Z-EMWide-bore 3T enters marketCarestream unveils digital radiography systemSonoSite grows 3Q revenues and netVital Images falters in 3QNightHawk revenues soar Howard steps down at iCAD

The first drop in recent memory in demand for nuclear medicine served as the backdrop for pending advances.Features: Nuc med volume falls in 2006, show partial rebound this year Spectrum Dynamics prepares new gamma camera for market Calibration tool ensures proper radionuclide dose MR scores advance in body imaging Q&A: Consultant, manager-or both?

Merge sets date to file restatementsFifth SonoSite system tackles interventionsAloka plans release of two imaging systemsWide-bore PET/CT debutsPhilips unveils cardiac IT workstation

Transvaginal ultrasound is better at identifying cases of deep retrocervical and rectosigmoid endometriosis than MRI and clinical examination. It has better sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value, and accuracy, according to a recent study in Brazil.

Bone exam predicts risk for cardiovascular diseaseFocusing on vasculature rather than bone, researchers at Park Nicollet Health Services in Minneapolis, MN, found that a high level of abdominal aortic calcification, detected with a bone densitometer by Hologic, is predictive of myocardial infarction or stroke among elderly Caucasian women.X-ray/ultrasound combo saves timeIntravascular MRI device passes feasibility testInfinix VF-i/SP shines at TCT 2007Study examines risk from contrast agentF&S teleradiology expandsFonar snags German saleRIS Concepts teams with billing firm