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. 

Not just three scans: Understanding FDG PET coverage

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services provided a reiteration of the agency’s national coverage decision regarding oncologic FDG PET this summer and clarified specifically the –KX modifier that needs to be used when clinicians code for the fourth scan and beyond.

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Neuro study of worms is a 'brain hack'

Nematode worms are providing a very, very small window on the neural connections that we humans share. A feature in New Scientist follows the circuitous path of our knowledge about consciousness and the neural networks of the brain.

ACR calls for separate tomosynthesis coverage

The American College of Radiology (ACR) issued a statement this week calling on the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) and private insurers to cover beneficiaries for breast tomosynthesis.

Plumbing the depths of PTSD

A feature in The New Yorker explores how Daniela Schiller, PhD, from the Mount Sinai School of Medicine’s Brain Imaging Core in New York City, has approached a kind of memory erasure for people who have suffered greatly from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) with the aid of cutting-edge neuroimaging.

Consortium to develop MR-guided radiotherapy

The Christie NHS Foundation Trust in Manchester, U.K., is the newest institution to join an assembly of organizations with the objective of researching an integrated and real-time MR-guided radiotherapy system for more accurate treatment delivery, according to today’s announcement from Elekta and Philips Healthcare.

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Zinc imaging could be used to track a spate of diseases

A preliminary imaging study with Zn-63 zinc citrate confirmed a protocol for preparation and showed encouraging preclinical biodistribution. This technique holds promise for a wide variety of diseases involving zinc disorder, including a range of cancers and metabolic disorders, according to a study published July 21 in the Journal of Nuclear Medicine.

Predicting pain: Anxious patients reported higher levels of breast biopsy discomfort

The vast majority of women experience only mild discomfort during image-guided breast biopsy, but some, namely younger women and those anticipating stonger pain to begin with, are more likely to experience greater levels of pain during the procedure, according to a study published in the July issue of the Journal of the American College of Radiology.

FDA: Shortfall of Ceretec technetium kit

The FDA announced July 14 that a shortage of Technetium Tc99m Exametazime Injection, also known as the Ceretec Kit (GE Healthcare, Medi-Physics), is in effect and expected to continue until the first week of August.

Around the web

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. 

Richard Heller III, MD, RSNA board member and senior VP of policy at Radiology Partners, offers an overview of policies in Congress that are directly impacting imaging.