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. 

MRI catches prostate cancers missed by standard biopsy

Multiparametric MRI has high diagnostic ability for anterior prostate cancer and was able to identify lesions missed by a standard transrectal 12-core prostate biopsy, according to a study published in the September issue of The Journal of Urology.

More evidence needed to support PET imaging in AD

Current literature on amyloid-beta PET imaging for Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is insufficient to provide conclusive evidence that the test leads to better clinical outcomes, according to a review summarized online Sept. 30 in JAMA Internal Medicine.

Sofie Bio receives $1.8M SBIR grant for phase II clinical trials

Sofie Biosciences, an emerging in vivo imaging diagnostics company focused on PET probes, scanners and chemistry systems,announced today that the National Institute of Health has awarded the company a grant under the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) program.

FDA grants Roche’s Perjeta accelerated approval for use before surgery in people with HER2-positive early stage breast cancer

Roche (SIX: RO, ROG; OTCQX: RHHBY) today announced that the United States (U.S.) Food and Drug Administration (FDA) granted accelerated approval of a Perjeta (pertuzumab) regimen for neoadjuvant treatment (use before surgery) in people with high-risk, HER2-positive early stage breast cancer. This approval is based primarily on data from a Phase II study showing that nearly 40 percent of people receiving the combination of Perjeta, Herceptin (trastuzumab) and docetaxel chemotherapy had no evidence of tumour tissue detectable at the time of surgery (known as a pathological complete response, or pCR). The Perjeta regimen is the first neoadjuvant breast cancer treatment approved by the FDA and also the first to be approved based on pCR data.

Novel tau imaging agent takes dementia imaging to the next level

A tau-imaging agent has moved ahead of the pack to pick up strong signals of tau aggregates in the brain in patterns consistent with Alzheimer’s disease (AD), according a study published Sept. 18 in Neuron.

Soldiers with blast-related TBI at risk for pituitary dysfunction

Soldiers suffering from traumatic brain injury (TBI) caused by an explosive blast had a higher rate of anterior pituitary dysfunction than people who sustained a non-blast TBI, suggesting pituitary dysfunction is a particular problem after blast exposure, according to a study published online Sept. 24 in Annals of Neurology.

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CMS sets limit on amyloid imaging coverage

Only one amyloid PET scan will be covered to aid in the diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease (AD), according to an official CMS decision on Friday.

Philips showcases innovations in radiation oncology imaging technology and workflow planning at the 55th American Society for Radiation Oncology (ASTRO) annual meeting

At the 55th American Society for Radiation Oncology ASTRO annual meeting, Sept. 22-25 in Atlanta, Royal Philips will feature the latest innovations that address efficient and personalized radiation oncology care for patients and their clinicians.

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.