The article highlights the need to communicate the risk of low doses of ionizing radiation associated with imaging, while managing the dose. Dr. Cynthia H. McCollough suggests approaches for presenting radiation risk and benefit information that support the ALARA principle.
A Japanese retrospective study found that ultralow-dose CT can accurately quantify emphysema disease without excessive radiation. Researchers suggest that this technique could stratify lung cancer risk and reduce radiation exposure in COPD patients.
Groundbreaking research in 13 radiology subspecialities presented during the ARRS 2016 Annual Meeting. Notable findings include improved prostate cancer detection and grading using restriction spectrum imaging, reduced unnecessary biopsies via novel mammographic algorithm, and faster knee MRI acquisition with accelerated SPACE.
This year's top winners include a study on benign disorders simulating thoracic malignancies and a thorough understanding of ankle nerves for nerve entrapment evaluation. B-flow imaging is also highlighted as a promising method to complement color Doppler ultrasound.
Digital breast tomosynthesis (DBT) increases cancer detection rates among women with dense breasts, with a significant improvement seen in those with dense breasts called back for mass and asymmetry. The study found a striking increase in detection among these groups, offering new insights into DBT's effectiveness.
Researchers found that only 3% of newly diagnosed patients with stage III ILC benefited from systemic staging with FDG PET/CT, suggesting CT and bone scan are sufficient instead.
Researchers found that MR tractography can accurately assess prostate cancer treatment response to androgen deprivation and radiation therapy. Higher tract densities indicate gland shrinkage and subsequent fibrosis after therapy.
New research found that over one-third of patients without established heart disease who underwent Agatston-scored CT scans were reclassified as being at very low risk for cardiovascular disease. This shift in classification could spare these patients from unnecessary statin therapy, according to the study.
A study found a strong correlation between breast arterial calcification and coronary artery calcification, suggesting that mammography could help identify women at risk of heart disease. The presence of BAC was linked to an increased CAC score, highlighting its potential as a preventive measure.
Most breast and general surgeons still advocate for annual mammography starting at age 40, despite a 2009 USPSTF recommendation to screen biennially from 50 to 74. Researchers found 88% of breast surgeons and 82% of general surgeons recommend annual screenings.
3D simulations analyze local flow fields and identify correlation between left coronary angulation and wall shear stress changes. CFD complements cardiac CT imaging by defining internal biomechanics, including stresses and strain within the coronary artery system.
Multiparametric MRI and ultrasound fusion enables targeted biopsies of high-suspicion foci with increased diagnostic accuracy for prostate cancer. For patients on active surveillance, this method better characterizes the prostate gland and detects higher-grade disease.
Higher field strength improves image signal-to-noise ratio and anatomical detail for better visualization of subcutaneous fat and osseous structures. The use of stronger 3-T field strengths may allow for improved assessment of complex prenatal diseases.
A protocol developed by radiologists significantly reduced CT misadministration at the Santa Clara Valley Medical Center from 18 instances to zero in just 10 months. The best practices protocol included assessment levels such as reverification checklists and individual accountability.
Research finds that thinner slice thicknesses of 0.5-1 mm can accurately measure coronary artery calcium with isotropic data acquisition at the same radiation dose. This method reduces inaccuracies caused by partial volume averaging errors found in standard 3 mm slices.
DECT imaging enhances pancreatic cancer assessment through improved lesion detection and characterization, potentially improving patient outcomes. The technique has shown promise in detecting and evaluating pancreatic tumors, offering a more comprehensive analysis than traditional single-energy CT imaging.
New retrieval methods significantly increase filter removal success, addressing complications and long dwell times. These advancements now make retrievable IVC filters a routine procedure for pulmonary embolism prevention.
The use of ultrasound for supplemental breast cancer screening is hindered by the lack of intensive training programs for physicians and interpreters. This limitation is attributed to MRI's restricted use due to pacemaker and claustrophobia concerns, making it an alternative option.
Researchers found that less than 7% of patients with dizziness or syncope benefited from head CT scans. Most cases can be managed with a careful history and physical examination, making unnecessary CT scans a common but potentially harmful practice.
A new study supports the hypothesis that lung cancer can travel through airways to adjacent lung tissue. This finding has significant implications for diagnosis and management of primary lung adenocarcinoma.
A new protocol for imaging Ebola patients has been developed to minimize risk of exposure, using portable computed radiography and thorough decontamination procedures. The step-by-step guide is published in the American Journal of Roentgenology and aims to improve physicians' ability to rapidly evaluate suspected cases.
Radiologists in Singapore outline lessons learned from SARS to improve current Ebola outbreak response. The article highlights the importance of balancing clinical needs with patient and staff safety.
Researchers have identified two new radiological signs of potentially life-threatening gastric lap band slippage, enabling radiologists to accurately diagnose the condition. The new signs include inferior displacement of the superolateral band margin and air-fluid levels above the band on frontal radiographs.
A new study has identified a defining characteristic of Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) in CT imaging of hospitalized patients confirmed as having the disease. The most common CT finding is suggestive of an organizing pneumonia pattern, which can aid in early diagnosis.
A study of over 59,000 patients found that 3D digital breast tomosynthesis increased overall cancer detection by 28.6% and invasive cancer detection by 43.8%. The technology also reduced recall rates in community-based radiology practice.
Researchers found that Hybrid SPECT-CT was 100% accurate in localizing gastrointestinal bleeding in patients with prior surgeries. The technology has the potential to improve clinical care by resolving ambiguities in planar scintigraphy.
A retrospective chart review found that high-risk lesions were predominantly identified in screened patients, enabling the administration of chemoprevention and reducing the risk of subsequent breast cancer development. Supplemental screening MRI may also detect future mammographically occult malignancies in these patients.
A study found that women significantly overestimated radiation exposure from a single mammogram compared to other benchmarks. To address this, medical staff should inform patients about the low dose of radiation associated with mammography and provide objective facts to ensure informed decisions.
A study found that breast tomosynthesis in diagnostic workup reduced use of ultrasound and biopsies, with higher positive predictive value for cancer compared to 2D mammography. The technology resulted in less need for additional imaging exams.
Researchers found CT-guided IRE to be successful in treating locally advanced pancreatic cancer without major complications. The procedure offers a safe alternative to intraoperative IRE ablation, improving life expectancy for some patients.
Adaptive statistical iterative reconstruction technique (ASIR) lowers estimated radiation doses for pediatric brain CT exams compared to traditional methods. The study found significant reductions in brain and salivary gland doses, but no differences in thyroid gland, skeleton, or eye lens doses.
Research conducted at Massachusetts General Hospital found that iterative reconstruction techniques enabled a 50% reduction in radiation dose for abdominal CT exams. This technology simplifies quality and safety assurance in busy practices with diverse CT equipment and remote scanner locations.
A study published by the American Roentgen Ray Society found that image-guided peritoneal dialysis catheter placement significantly reduced complications at 1 year post-insertion. The technique allowed for faster catheter placement, facilitating urgent-start peritoneal dialysis and avoiding temporary vascular-access catheters.
Researchers have discovered that glutamate imaging using chemical exchange saturation transfer (CEST) technology can reveal ischemic lesions in the brain within the first three hours after a stroke. This breakthrough has the potential to speed up diagnosis and treatment, leading to better patient outcomes.
A new study of 99 patients found that a single venous puncture technique is comparable to the traditional dual puncture approach in terms of technical success and clinical outcomes. The single puncture technique was also shown to reduce complications, such as deep vein thrombosis, compared to the double puncture method.
A new study shows that chemical shift techniques in MRI can accurately differentiate clear cell renal cell carcinoma from other types of kidney cancer, enabling better treatment planning. The technique achieved an 83% accuracy rate in distinguishing between tumor types.
A new study suggests that tomosynthesis increases breast cancer detection rates by 11%, particularly benefiting women with dense breasts. The technology's improved performance in dense breast tissue was attributed to its ability to detect invasive and intraductal cancers more accurately.
A study from Yale University found that two views are better than one in 3D breast screening to ensure optimal cancer detection. The CC view achieves better compression and shows lesions clearer due to its ability to compress the breast tissue.
Multispectral photoacoustic imaging distinguishes between benign and malignant prostate tissue with a high degree of accuracy. The new technique, which combines laser optics and ultrasound imaging technologies, predicts 25 out of 26 benign tissues and 13 out of 16 malignant tissues correctly.
A new study reveals that breast ultrasound screening after mammography can detect an additional 3.4 cancers per thousand women screened in those with greater than 50% breast density. The detection rate is comparable to that of screening mammography for women with less dense breasts.
A new minimally invasive tumor ablation technique called irreversible electroporation (IRE) has shown promising results in treating liver cancer patients who cannot undergo surgery or thermal ablation. The study found that IRE successfully destroyed tumor tissue in 70% of patients, with two major complications reported but neither life...
Researchers found that combining CT imaging findings with baseline serum lactate dehydrogenase levels can accurately predict patient survival. Patients with low baseline serum LDH and evidence of tumor devascularization on their initial post-therapy CT scans are likely to have a favorable response to therapy.
The study found that lymph node volumes were estimated at 30% lower in low-dose scans compared to high-dose scans. Lung nodule volume was also significantly affected, with 46% lower volumes in low-dose scans.
Researchers found a 23% total radiation dose reduction in abdominal CT exams using iterative reconstruction and longitudinal dose modulation. This translates to between 1,000 and 3,000 fewer radiation-induced cancers annually, based on Hiroshima and Nagasaki survivor assumptions.
A new study finds that using a non-focused standard trauma CT protocol can result in hundreds of unnecessary CT examinations. The study suggests that imaging should be dictated by patient history and physical examination findings to reduce CT utilization, imaging costs, and radiation dose by at least 50%
A new study has found that adding a photo of a patient's face to their x-ray images can significantly reduce wrong-patient errors. The study showed that radiologists correctly identified mismatched pairs with photographs, with an error detection rate of 64%, compared to 13% without photos.
A new breast imaging algorithm is being implemented in Uganda to diagnose and treat women with palpable breast masses. The program combines a unique diagnostic algorithm with targeted community outreach to combat myths surrounding cancer, aiming for early diagnosis and effective care.
A new study suggests MDCT is more accurate than echocardiography for measuring annular size in TAVI candidates. This improvement can lead to better procedure success and valve selection, potentially changing the decision for 55% of patients.
Tomosynthesis surpasses 2D mammography in detecting infiltrating ductal carcinoma, particularly in women at increased risk of breast cancer. The study found that tomosynthesis improved visibility in 41% of cases and identified cancers only visible on tomosynthesis.
A new study shows that dual energy CT is an effective way to evaluate emergency department patients with possible ACL tears. The imaging technique accurately identified ACL tears in 94% of cases, making it a promising alternative to MRI.