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. 

Radiology: MRI not helpful in whiplash diagnosis

MR images of patients with whiplash injuries, while able to provide some rare evidence of cervical spine changes, may have limited clinical relevance due to low sensitivity, disagreement between readers and difficulties distinguishing whiplash-associated injury from age-related changes, according to a study published online on Dec. 20 in Radiology.

FDA clears OCT for endoscopy

The FDA has cleared NinePoint Medicals Nvision VLE Imaging System, a volumetric optical coherence tomography (OCT) device for endoscopic imaging.

New year, same goal

Despite ringing in a new year, the goal for the cardiology community in 2012 will be much the sameto provide unparalleled, ever-improving patient care. However, hospitals and physicians also will be forced to tie in cost containment in an attempt to save overhead as future reimbursement cuts loom. As you reflect on what went right last year, how will you strive to provide care that is one cut above?

American Cancer Society reports continued drop in cancer mortality

Statistics from the American Cancer Society (ACS) show a steady decline in cancer deaths between 2004 and 2008, with decreases of 1.8 percent per year in men and 1.6 percent per year in women, according to Cancer Statistics 2012, a report published online ahead of print in CA: A Cancer Journal for Clinicians. Lung cancer deaths in men and breast cancer deaths in women were among the most marked declines.

Radiology: Decision support reins in CT pulmonary angiographic exams

Evidence-based decision support programs may be able to reduce the number of unnecessary CT pulmonary angiographic exams used to evaluate pulmonary emboli in the emergency department, according to a study published online Dec. 20 in Radiology.

AR: Cardiac CT in the ED cuts immediate + downstream costs

Applying cardiac CT to the evaluation of patients who present to the emergency department (ED) with chest pain at low to intermediate risk of acute coronary syndrome saved money in both the initial diagnosis and over a one-year period, according to a decision analytic model published in the January issue of Academic Radiology.

Researchers nab grant to develop blood test for lung cancer

The CHEST Foundation has awarded a Roswell Park Cancer Institute research team a $100,000 grant to develop a blood test to help diagnose lung cancer in patients before they undergo a biopsy.

New FDA guidelines for CDRH complainants

The FDA has issued draft guidance describing the processes available to anyone wishing to dispute decisions and actions by the Center for Devices and Radiological Health (CDRH).

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.