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. 

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Abdominal MRI patients move less when holding breath at end of exhale

To cut respiratory motion artifacts on liver MRI, have patients hold their breath at the end of an exhale rather at the end of an inhale. That’s the recommendation of Stanford researchers after testing and comparing the two techniques, and it holds for unenhanced and contrast-enhanced scans.

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Experts want Ontario to change law forbidding cremation of bodies treated with radioactive therapy

In Ontario, Canada, it is illegal to cremate a patient who has received the radiation treatment brachytherapy. Radiation experts are now calling on the province to change the law, according to a report by CBC News.

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FDG PET/CT effectively monitors immunotherapy for melanoma patients

Measuring the effectiveness of treatment in metastatic melanoma patients is difficult, but a study published in the March issue of the Journal of Nuclear Medicine found 18F-FDG PET/CT could accurately monitor immunotherapy with ipilimumab in these patients.

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Scientists use optical imaging to find deep cancers in their earliest stages

MIT researchers have developed a near-infrared imaging technique that can detect tumors deep in internal tissue before the cancer grows beyond a few hundred cells.

Imaging contrast allergies are poorly documented in EHRs

Documenting contrast allergies in the electronic health record (EHR) is central for safe imaging, but a new study found such records are incomplete, misleading and often ambiguous. A multidisciplinary approach may be needed to solve the problem.

Ultrasound societies want the FDA to remove contrast label warning

The International Contrast Ultrasound Society (ICUS) is again urging the FDA to remove the “black box” warning from ultrasound contrast agent (UCA) labels, following its filing of a September 2018 citizen petition with the federal agency.

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ACR statement seeks to calm fears over radioactive material in cremated bodies

The American College of Radiology (ACR) and American Association of Physicists in Medicine (AAPM) released a joint statement Monday, March 5, to quell potential fears sparked by a recent research letter investigating the presence of radioactive materials in cremated bodies.

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Young colorectal cancer patients commonly diagnosed at advanced stages, survey finds

Patients diagnosed with colorectal cancer prior to turning 50 were often misdiagnosed, which may result in a diagnosis at more advanced stages of the disease, according to the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR).  

Around the web

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. 

CCTA is being utilized more and more for the diagnosis and management of suspected coronary artery disease. An international group of specialists shared their perspective on this ongoing trend.

The new technology shows early potential to make a significant impact on imaging workflows and patient care.