Medical Imaging

Physicians utilize medical imaging to see inside the body to diagnose and treat patients. This includes computed tomography (CT), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), X-ray, ultrasound, fluoroscopy, angiography,  and the nuclear imaging modalities of PET and SPECT. 

Stratifying patients by risk of poor outcomes could reduce overtreatment of lung cancer

Researchers are using radiomics to narrow patient cohorts down to those who are at the greatest risk of poor lung cancer outcomes.

Ischemic stroke CT imaging. Images courtesy of RSNA

Stroke care still lags among certain Medicare populations

Despite increases of 250% for CTA and 428% for CTP, researchers observed lower rates of neuroimaging utilization among rural residents, older individuals (80 years and above), women and Black patients.

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AI spots pancreatic cancer in its earliest stages

Experts involved in the study suggest their findings could eventually be used to detect pancreatic cancer in its earliest stages when patients are most likely to respond to interventions favorably.

Machine learning model quickly and accurately predicts outcomes for TBI patients

The model combines clinical data with imaging from head CT scans in individuals with severe traumatic brain injuries to quickly predict 6-month outcomes.

Ischemic stroke CT scan showing color coded blood flow for early and later arterial and venous contrast phases and areas of blocked blood flow. Image courtesy of RSNA

Disparities evident as CT stroke imaging rises sharply over 7-year period

Utilization of head CT perfusion (CTP) for imaging stroke patients spiked 428% between 2012 and 2019. Curiously, the uptrend was associated with higher mortality up to a year after discharge.

Radiology imaging of two wounded civilians with bullet and shrapnel embedded in tissue. Left is a digital X-ray of a patient with shrapnel in the chest and a bullet in the leg who was brought to the National Children's Specialized Hospital in Kyiv. Right, a 3D CT scan reconstruction of a bullet in the chest of a 40-year-old father who as attempting to evaculate his wife and child from the Russian advance near Kyiv when the Russians opened fire on him. Image from the Ukraine Heart Institute in Kyiv.

Radiologists in Ukraine helping the war effort as Russia continues to attack

Many radiologists stepped up to do their part for the war effort by staying at their hospital posts and helping the wounded as they started coming in.

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New MRI technique helps physicians ID multiple sclerosis lesions

By superimposing images of tiny veins in the brain over conventional MRI modules, physicians can identify the distinguishing "central vein sign."

breast radiologist breast cancer mammography

Metastatic breast cancer survival rates are up in Medicaid expansion states

A JAMA Oncology study found a decrease in two-year mortality rates between 2010 and 2015, attributing the findings to a 2014 Medicaid expansion.

Around the web

RBMA President Peter Moffatt discusses declining reimbursement rates, recruiting challenges and the role of artificial intelligence in transforming the industry.

Deepak Bhatt, MD, director of the Mount Sinai Fuster Heart Hospital and principal investigator of the TRANSFORM trial, explains an emerging technique for cardiac screening: combining coronary CT angiography with artificial intelligence for plaque analysis to create an approach similar to mammography.

A total of 16 cardiology practices from 12 states settled with the DOJ to resolve allegations they overbilled Medicare for imaging agents used to diagnose cardiovascular disease.