The article highlights the importance of justification and optimization of pediatric CT protocols to reduce radiation dose. Experts recommend using lower tube current, restricting scan length, and employing image post-processing techniques to minimize radiation exposure while maintaining diagnostic quality.
Combining bevacizumab with standard chemoradiation therapy prolongs survival and delays disease progression in patients with advanced nasopharyngeal carcinoma. The study results show over 90% of patients surviving 2 years without distant metastases.
The RTOG 0925 study aims to identify early clinical and neurocognitive changes that could precede tumor progression in low-risk glioma patients. The study will compare treatment effects on cognitive function, quality of life, and seizure control in patients with evidence versus no evidence of progression.
The RTOG is launching a phase I trial testing ganitumab for locally advanced pancreatic cancer. The trial will investigate the safety and efficacy of ganitumab when combined with chemoradiation treatment. By targeting the IGF-1R pathway, ganitumab may offer a new approach to treating this aggressive form of cancer.
Researchers found that shutting down radiology workstations and monitors after an 8-hour shift can save substantial energy and costs. By doing so, they reduced their energy consumption by 76.3% and saved $9,225.33, mainly due to the shutdown of standby equipment.
A nationwide study found that radiologists performed 55% of non-cardiac ultrasound studies in 2009, while non-radiologists accounted for 41%. The role of radiologists in non-cardiac ultrasound is strong but may be impacted by miniaturization of ultrasound equipment
A recent study by the American College of Radiology found that many radiologists disagree on managing incidental findings on body computed tomography (CT) scans. Despite advances in CT resolution and increasing utilization, published guidelines are still emerging, leading to a lack of agreement among radiologists.
According to a recent poll, nearly 9-in-10 women reported that having regular mammograms gave them control over their own healthcare. The poll also showed that 90% of women considered mammograms important to their health and well-being.
Hospital executives should recognize the value added by on-site radiology groups, which include patient safety, image quality, interpretation accuracy, service to patients and physicians, cost containment, and business building. Fragmentation of radiology departments can lead to lost values and chaos.
Experts offer practical strategies for reducing radiation dose in chest CT scans, including stratifying protocols based on clinical indications and limiting scan length. Pediatric CT scans require lower doses compared to adult patients, and using appropriate scan parameters can further reduce radiation exposure.
With significant incentives available, radiologists must prepare to comply with meaningful use regulations, which could impact patient care. Radiologists can qualify by adopting new technology and workflows, as recommended by experts.
Radiation dose optimization in head CT scans is crucial for reducing exposure and improving patient safety. Experts recommend using techniques such as lower tube current, automatic exposure control, and scanning at a lower tube voltage to minimize dose without compromising image quality.
A community hospital implemented a comprehensive CT radiation dose reduction program, reducing effective doses by up to 64% in certain protocols. The program's key strategies included ensuring proper scanner functionality, trained staff, monitoring, and education.
A new study published in the New England Journal of Medicine found that combining short-term hormone therapy (ADT) with radiation therapy significantly improves overall survival rates for men with intermediate-risk prostate cancer. The treatment also resulted in a 10% reduction in disease-specific deaths among high-risk patients.
A study found that integrating clinical decision support tools into Picture Archiving and Communication Systems (PACS) improved radiologists' use of the tools, with a 52% increase in usage when access was removed. The integrated approach led to a threefold increase in sessions compared to non-integrated access.
A recent study found that self-referral in medical imaging contributes to increased diagnostic imaging growth, with a 59.7% utilization rate of imaging services attributed to non-radiologist self-referers. The study estimates $3.6 billion in excess costs to Medicare Part B annually due to unnecessary imaging.
The National Lung Screening Trial (NLST) found that low-dose helical computed tomography (CT) screening reduced lung cancer deaths among participants who were screened with CT versus those screened with chest X-ray. The study enrolled 53,000 current and former heavy smokers aged 55 to 74.
A study suggests that radiology benefit managers can have a negative impact on referring physicians, shifting significant costs to them. The study found that while RBMs aim to lower healthcare costs, they often result in cost savings being offset by increased fees for physicians and staff.
A study in the Journal of the American College of Radiology found that patient age and facility imaging capacity significantly impact MRI use. Hospitals with limited access to scanning technologies had less frequent use of MRI scans.
The RTOG 0525 Phase III Trial Comparing Conventional Adjuvant Temozolomide with Dose-Intensive Temozolomide in Patients with Newly Diagnosed Glioblastoma found no significant improvement in overall patient survival or disease progression for patients who received dose-intensive temozolomide plus radiotherapy. However, the trial demonst...
The ACR white paper offers strategies for radiologist participation in accountable care organizations (ACOs), combining traditional image interpretation with new value-added services. The ACR is developing tools to assist members in the transition and advocating for radiologist compensation for these services.
The NCRP workshop aims to define circumstances for assessing the value of CT scanning while addressing issues of utilization patterns, radiation exposures, and overutilization. Participating organizations offer recommendations to control the inappropriate use of CT in emergency departments.
CTC utilization has tripled in recent years, increasing access to colorectal cancer screening, and potentially saving lives through early detection of disease. The study suggests an opportunity for more people to be screened due to CTC's alternative to conventional optical colonoscopy.
A recent study found that hospital use of computed tomographic colonography (CTC), also known as virtual colonoscopy, is increasing. In 2008, 17% of hospitals offered CTC, up from 13% in 2005, with many citing a desire to provide alternative screening options for frail patients and those with failed optical colonoscopy.
A new article outlines five phases of an imaging procedure's lifecycle, identifying distinct clinical evidence needs for each phase. The roadmap aims to foster certainty for manufacturers and stakeholders in navigating the concept-to-adoption pathway.
Using microbubbles and ultrasound can help determine treatment for early breast cancer patients, reducing the need for additional surgeries. The study found that microbubble contrast-enhanced ultrasound accurately identified sentinel lymph nodes in 89% of patients.
A study by radiologists suggests that radiologic case studies can effectively teach physiology to medical students, highlighting four broad physiologic principles: homeostasis, biologic energy use, structure-function relationships, and communication.
A study found that preoperative Breast MRI detected occult cancer in nearly 1 in 8 patients, resulting in an added cancer yield of 12%. The use of preoperative Breast MRI is a relatively new indication for the test, with benefits seen in detecting otherwise hidden additional disease.
Implementing a computerized radiology workflow with customer service representatives leads to faster report delivery, reduced anxiety for patients, and increased productivity for radiologists. The study's findings support the cost-benefits of adding these representatives to alleviate administrative burdens.
A new ultrasound technique, elastography, can accurately predict cancer in patients with BI-RADS category 4 masses by measuring tissue softness. The study found an 79% accuracy rate in identifying cancer, suggesting that this method could reduce unnecessary breast biopsies.
A study found that clinical decision support systems can lower imaging utilization rates for low back pain lumbar MRI, headache head MRI, and sinusitis sinus CT. These systems provide real-time feedback to providers, aiding in the elimination of unnecessary imaging and increasing patient safety and quality.
A study found that Medicare payments for non-invasive medical imaging are higher to non-radiologists than to radiologists. This disparity has resulted from faster growth in fee-for-service payments to non-radiologists between 1998 and 2006.
A recent study by Johns Hopkins University highlights the problems with reviewing medical images from portable media. The research found three main issue areas: access, importability, and viewing problems. Noncompliance with DICOM standards is also a significant problem, which can delay patient care.
A study found that using true whole-body field view in PET/CT imaging can lead to more accurate staging and restaging of cancer patients. This increased accuracy can result in changes to treatment plans and the selection of biopsy sites, ultimately reducing unnecessary invasive procedures.
A study published in the American Journal of Roentgenology found that targeted breast ultrasound was highly accurate in detecting breast cancer in women under 30. The study's high sensitivity and negative predictive value support its use as the primary imaging technique for young women with focal breast concerns.
A study by the American College of Radiology found that nearly all US community facilities performing breast MRI exams meet ACRIN and EUSOBI technical requirements. The Breast Cancer Surveillance Consortium data revealed excellent adherence to equipment recommendations, with 94% of scanners using a dedicated breast coil.
A new method for extracting and archiving CT radiation dose information enables providers to track estimated radiation doses, make informed health care decisions, and improve patient safety. The automated extraction pipeline can process both retrospective and prospective studies.
Providing computed tomography colonography as an alternative to conventional colonoscopy could improve colorectal cancer screening rates. The study found that patients preferred virtual colonoscopy due to its convenience and perceived safety.
A new study uses a combination of computed tomography (CT), postmortem CT angiography (CTA) and biopsy to determine the natural causes of death, with results showing near-identical findings in 18 out of 20 cases. The minimally invasive approach has improved accuracy and reduced the need for traditional autopsy.
A study found that virtual colonoscopy (CTC) can be successfully performed in remote health centers, enabling rural patients to receive colorectal cancer screening. The CTC examinations were assessed remotely through a teleradiology system, with high image quality and diagnostic results.
A study found that ER patients value accurate diagnoses more than radiation concerns from CT scans. Patients prefer discussing the risks and benefits of CT with their physicians before ordering the exam.
Researchers at the Mayo Clinic developed a method to measure general technologist productivity, increasing efficiency and savings by $174,000. The study found that measuring productivity can help radiology departments balance competing priorities.
Computer-aided detection (CAD) software highlighted abnormal areas on mammographic images, used in 74% of screening exams and 50% of diagnostic exams by 2008. The technology is becoming standard practice despite controversy over its efficacy.
A landmark study found that annual mammography screenings for women aged 40-49 reduces breast cancer deaths by nearly 30%. The results confirm that age 50 as a screening threshold is unfounded, and women should begin getting annual mammograms at age 40.
A recent study published in the American Journal of Roentgenology found that the incidence of serious infection after common ultrasound-guided procedures is low. The researchers reviewed 13,534 procedures and reported only 14 procedure-related infections, with nearly all patients improving on antibiotics alone.
A study has found that magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) can accurately assess the condition of certain stents used in children and young adults with congenital heart defects. Researchers discovered that specific MRI sequences can visualize the stents without radiation, making it a safer option for routine surveillance.
A study of 70 patients with low-to-moderate risk chest pain and a negative cardiac CT scan found no signs or symptoms of adverse cardiac events during the year after discharge. The results suggest that earlier discharge based on negative cardiac CTA results may be safe and clinically efficacious.
A study suggests that staggered radiologist work shifts can expedite the communication of urgent findings and improve patient care. Radiologists were able to communicate urgent results two hours earlier than control groups, reducing mean elapsed times from image acquisition to result communication.
The adaptive statistical iterative reconstruction (ASIR) technique has been shown to reduce the radiation dose associated with coronary computed tomography angiography (CTA) by 27 percent. This novel method allows for a reduction in tube current while maintaining diagnostic image quality, demonstrating an additive effect on existing te...
A study found that whole-body MRI can detect soft-tissue injuries in infants with suspected child abuse. However, its effectiveness in detecting skeletal injuries is limited. The imaging modality may still be useful as a supplement to skeletal surveys in selected cases.