Imaging thrives by making connections

The first six months of 2008 demonstrated the connectivity of diagnostic imaging.

Groundbreaking clinical research often has a multifaceted influence. It may establish or confirm the efficacy of a promising imaging application to foster its clinical adoption. It can sway opinion among Medicare policymakers to determine if, when, and under what conditions new procedures will gain routine reimbursement.

Study results can light a fire under healthcare advocacy groups, encouraging them to rally their forces behind new and better ways to diagnose disease. And political controversies can stir radiology's governing bodies to take action or lead critics of medical imaging to question the credibility of investigations involving years of data collection and analysis.

Such interrelationships have been the hallmark of imaging research news so far this year. From developments in multislice coronary CT to molecular imaging applications monitored by the National Oncologic PET Registry they demonstrate the ongoing success and growing diagnostic power of medical imaging.