Articles tagged with Clinical Imaging
A nurse-led follow-up service has improved patient care for those with early-stage lung cancer by increasing clinic capacity, reducing waiting times, and ensuring continuity of care. The service also promotes junior medical training and is well-received by patients and the multidisciplinary team.
A multidisciplinary team at Kaiser Permanente developed a complete imaging history definition, including four prompts for date, location, pain, and concern. This led to a significant increase in orders containing all four components, from 16% to 52%, and improved mean character count of entered histories.
A new study published in Annals of Emergency Medicine highlights the potential for emergency departments to reduce low-value imaging tests and associated costs. By analyzing data from a statewide quality network, researchers estimate that implementing benchmark standards could avoid $3.8 million in annual spending on unnecessary care.
The EAPCI has generated consensus statements detailing the clinical utility of IC imaging, based on existing clinical evidence and contemporary best practice. IC imaging is beneficial for guiding percutaneous coronary interventions (PCI) and understanding stent failure mechanisms.
A study found that clinicians over-order imaging for breast pain, despite a weak correlation with breast cancer. Most respondents (72%) believe there is no strong link between breast pain and breast cancer.
Jonathan S. Lewin, a renowned expert in interventional and intraoperative MR imaging, has received the 2019 ARRS Gold Medal for his distinguished contributions to radiology. With over 200 peer-reviewed scientific manuscripts published, he is a pioneer in advancing knowledge and skills in radiology.
A workshop published a roadmap for AI in medical imaging, highlighting key research themes and prioritizing foundational machine learning research. The report emphasizes the need for collaboration among professionals, funding agencies, and institutions to develop innovative imaging technologies.
Caterina Strambio De Castillia has been named a CZI Imaging Scientist and received over $1 million in grant funding to develop standardized tools for microscopic imaging. The grant aims to facilitate sharing of reproducible datasets, analytical procedures, and analysis results among biomedical researchers.
Researchers repurposed an algorithm from Netflix's movie preference prediction competition to create a method for acquiring classical Raman spectroscopy images of biological tissues at unprecedented speeds. This advance could make the simple, label-free imaging method practical for tumor detection or tissue analysis.
A new machine learning algorithm combined with a handheld smartphone device can accurately estimate the gestational age of premature newborns. The technology has the potential to aid healthcare workers in remote and low-income countries, where preterm births are a leading cause of child mortality.
The Society of Breast Imaging has partnered with Oxford University Press to launch the Journal of Breast Imaging, providing a platform for high-quality, evidence-based content on breast imaging. The journal aims to advance the field of breast imaging, improving patient care and outcomes.
A new information tool helps parents make informed decisions about their children's care after minor head trauma, leading to increased parent knowledge and reduced healthcare utilization. However, the tool did not reduce the rate of CT imaging in emergency departments.
The Pediatric NEXUS Head Computed Tomography Decision Instrument (DI) reliably guides blunt trauma imaging decisions and may decrease head CT imaging in low-risk pediatric populations. The study found that the decision instrument could significantly reduce head CT utilization by up to 34%.
A new all-optical ultrasound imager has been demonstrated for video-rate, real-time 2D imaging of biological tissue. The system offers significant flexibility in switching between different imaging modes, such as 2D and 3D imaging, without the need to swap probes.
A study by UTHealth found that simple imaging on a non-contrast CT scan can be sufficient to determine thrombectomy treatment in stroke patients, achieving identical clinical outcomes as advanced imaging. This basic technique may broaden access to life-saving surgery for more patients, especially in remote areas.
The new instrument uses OCT-based technology with an electrically tunable lens to produce higher quality images of the entire eye. This enables whole-eye imaging, improving patient experience and potentially reducing instrument costs.
Researchers have discovered a new marker, Ratiometric thrombin-Activatable Cell Penetrating Peptide, to identify joints with established arthritis and predict subsequent swelling. This imaging tool may help clinicians monitor arthritis development and progression, enabling early intervention.
Researchers develop a new imaging technique to assess early-stage embryo quality, improving IVF outcomes. The hyperspectral imaging method measures metabolic differences in embryos, providing an objective measure of viability.
A new framework allows physicians to tailor radiation dose to achieve optimal image quality for pediatric patients. The framework considers the interdependency of quality, dose, and size, providing a basis for optimizing individual scan parameters.
Practical imaging evaluation of neonatal soft-tissue tumors is crucial for accurate diagnosis, and clear understanding of imaging techniques can improve patient outcomes. Characteristic clinical and imaging findings aid in diagnosing these neoplasms, which may require biopsy or excision for definitive diagnosis.
A study published in Academic Emergency Medicine found that integrating clinical decision support into electronic medical records decreases high-cost imaging utilization, especially among higher users. This standardizes care delivery and improves compliance with evidence-based guidelines.
Researchers developed a scanner that unites optical, radioluminescence, and photoacoustic imaging to evaluate thin-cap fibro atheroma (TCFA) in the earliest stages. This could lead to a paradigm shift in coronary artery disease diagnosis and assessment.
Researchers found that radiation therapy can alter neural networks and lead to cognitive decline in patients with brain tumors. The study suggests that the treatment may cause broader adverse effects, including thinning of the brain cortex and increased segregation between brain regions.
A new blood test called Videssa Breast has shown high sensitivity and specificity for detecting breast cancer in women under age 50. The test can help reduce the use of breast biopsies by up to 67 percent, ruling out breast cancer with a positive predictive value of 25.2 percent.
Seven novel bioresorbable stent technologies were reported to deliver low medium-term event rates and favorable laminar flow. The RENASCENT II study showed no events at one year, while the DESolve Nx Study demonstrated a mean lumen gain of 9% at six months.
Mayo Clinic's new imaging technologies use computerized tomography scans to measure the firmness of brain tumors and how attached they are to normal brain tissue. This information helps surgeons plan the safest method for extraction, potentially reducing complications and improving patient outcomes.
Recent advancements in tomographic imaging have improved V/Q scan sensitivity for pulmonary embolism (PE), but also risk revealing small, clinically insignificant PEs. This can lead to overtreatment and defensive medicine practices in the US healthcare system.
Under the PAMA provision, physicians will need to consult CMS-approved computer-based clinical decision support mechanisms when ordering advanced imaging procedures. The CMS will collect data for two years before implementing prior authorization for 'outlier' physicians, which may limit access to these procedures.
Northwestern University scientists have developed a tiny, transparent device that can detect ultrasound waves, potentially helping diagnose diseases like macular degeneration and diabetes. The Micro-ring resonator detector uses optical ultrasound detection methods to create high-resolution images of biological materials.
Researchers used FDG PET-CT to assess anatomical structure and metabolic activity in a patient with GLILD, showing widespread metabolic activity affecting lymph nodes throughout the body. The study reveals that GLILD is a complex, highly metabolically active condition requiring optimal monitoring and treatment timing.
The study found improvements in some quality measures, such as recommended medical treatment and cancer screening, but worsened in others, like antibiotic use. Patient experience ratings also showed significant gains. However, deficits in care continue to pose serious health risks.
Researchers developed an analog of an investigational drug that binds to portions of the androgen receptor common to full-length and variant forms. This compound specifically detected prostate cancer cells expressing androgen receptor in a mouse model using SPECT/CT imaging.
The OPINION study shows that OFDI-guided PCI achieves equivalent clinical and angiographic outcomes to IVUS-guided PCI at 12 months. The study results contribute to defining the clinical value of OCT guidance in PCI.
Researchers found that patients with ARDS were more likely to have ILA, and those with ILA on CT imaging prior to ARDS development had a greater risk of in-hospital mortality. This suggests ILA may be a risk factor for ARDS.
Physicians should use validated clinical prediction rules to estimate pre-test probability of PE. In low-risk patients, D-dimer testing can provide additional risk stratification. Imaging is indicated for high-risk patients or those with a high clinical presentation. Age-adjusted D-dimer thresholds can help determine imaging necessity.
Researchers at Joslin Diabetes Center found that peripheral lesions in the retina correlate strongly with retinal non-perfusion, a condition caused by lost small blood vessels. This discovery may enable clinicians to estimate disease progression without invasive angiography.
A recent study presented at EuroPCR 2015 found that thickening of valve leaflets following TAVI or surgical aortic valve implantation is relatively rare and not linked to short-term clinical events. The study suggests that current TAVI and TAVR programs do not need modification, but further research is needed.
The study develops a method for label-free chemical imaging using infrared spectroscopic imaging, allowing molecular stains to be reproduced without tissue damage. This approach enables multiplexed molecular analysis and could revolutionize pathology in research and clinical practice.
A new BIDMC study suggests that physicians are increasingly ordering advanced imaging and referring specialists for routine headaches, rather than counseling patients on lifestyle changes. This trend has significant consequences, including unnecessary patient anxiety and follow-up testing.
A recent study found that searching health service pricing websites before receiving care resulted in lower claim payments for clinical services such as laboratory tests and advanced imaging. The study included medical claims from 2010-2013 of over 502,000 patients who used a price transparency platform to find prices.
Researchers developed a simple setup for X-ray phase-contrast imaging, which uses scrambled X-rays to produce high-quality images. The new technique demonstrates efficiency and versatility, enabling accurate measurement of specimen thickness and mapping of small structures.
A new 'QTA' technique allows for precise treatment and progress tracking in lung cancer patients with high accuracy. The study found that nearly 90% of tumor cells can be analyzed to detect K-ras gene mutations, enabling personalized treatment.
A new 3D imaging technique has been developed to visualize the behavior of cosmetic fillers in facial tissue. The technique allows researchers to pinpoint the cause of complications and develop treatments to reverse the damage, preventing irreversible scarring.
A recent study published in the Journal of the American College of Radiology reveals that there is minimal change in regional variation of imaging utilization between 2007 and 2011. In contrast, regional variation in imaging costs and other major health services categories remains significant.
A new study found that patient and visit factors, such as prior visits, referral sources and clinical reasons, are the primary predictors of imaging use in emergency departments. Physician-related factors had a minimal impact on imaging utilization.
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 decade of increased use of sophisticated imaging studies has made radiology a crucial aspect of healthcare reform, says Dr. James V. Rawson. Radiologists are exploring ways to reduce costs, optimize utilization, and improve patient care through the strategic use of imaging technology.
The ASGE initiative focuses on developing guidelines for real-time imaging of Barrett's esophagus, addressing the need for more accurate surveillance protocols. High-risk individuals require regular endoscopy screenings, but current methods have shortcomings due to dysplasia and cancer sampling errors.
The study found that while initial results of 2-level axial lumbar interbody fusion were promising, complications arose within 2 years, including screw breakage and rod detachment. Solid spinal fusion was achieved in only 8% of patients at 24 months postoperatively.
A recent study by Brigham and Women's Hospital found that unnecessary imaging recommendations in PET/CT oncologic reports are common, with 43 out of 84 recommendations being deemed unnecessary. This highlights the need for radiologists to reduce frequency of additional imaging tests without compromising patient outcomes.
A recent study found that radiologists recommended additional imaging in 30% of PET/CT oncologic reports, with half being unnecessary. The study suggests that reluctance to accept uncertainty and medicolegal concerns contribute to these recommendations.
A large hospital implemented a CPOE system with clinical decision support for radiology, significantly increasing meaningful use and adoption rates. The study observed a decrease in low-utility imaging studies by up to 57%.
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.
Researchers have developed a new imaging technique to track both metallic and semiconducting single-wall carbon nanotubes in live cells and the bloodstream. This 'label-free' approach uses transient absorption to visualize the nanotubes in real-time, overcoming key obstacles in previous methods.
A new study introduces an improved algorithm to detect and remove motion artifacts from full-body MRIs. The Motion Artifact Removal by Retrospective Resolution Reduction (MARs) algorithm enables better retrospective reviews of images and reduces the need for additional imaging, leading to improved overall image quality.
The use of bedside ultrasound has increased significantly, particularly among non-radiologists, due to advancements in equipment quality and affordability. This shift enables point-of-care ultrasonography, which can decrease medical errors and provide real-time diagnosis.
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.
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 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 by Annette J. Johnson, MD, MS, found that direct patient access to imaging test results could increase anxiety and workload for physicians. Radiologists and referring physicians agreed on potential benefits, but also raised concerns about patients' ability to understand written reports and the impact on physician time.