Articles tagged with Computerized Axial Tomography
A Norwegian-Greek study found that five traditional risk factors and two new ones can identify people at high risk of developing lung cancer. The research group created a risk calculator that can predict lung cancer with near-90% accuracy, reducing the need for unnecessary CT scans.
A new study found that a simple density measurement of bone quality from chest and abdominal CT scans can predict fracture risk in older adults. Having a low vertebral trabecular attenuation threshold was associated with an increased risk of future fractures.
Researchers at McGill University and Columbia University Irving Medical Center found that variations in large airway branches are associated with higher COPD prevalence. People with certain airway tree variations are more likely to have COPD, especially if they smoke, highlighting the importance of quitting smoking as the best antidote.
Researchers found that CT scans and cardiac stress tests provide no information to determine whether a patient is having a heart attack, leading to unnecessary costs and extended hospital stays. The study suggests over-testing and over-treating patients with chest pain in the ER.
A new study reveals that fish-scale geckos have a hidden strength in their fragile skin, containing bony deposits known as osteoderms. The geckos' ability to drop their skin as a defense mechanism is paradoxically paired with the presence of armor-like osteoderms.
Researchers found no difference in important clinical outcomes for pediatric trauma patients who received routine ultrasound evaluations compared to those without. The study aimed to determine whether ultrasound could safely decrease CT scan use and improve resource use, but results showed minor savings of $1,200 per patient.
Researchers Dr Adrienne Jochum and her team describe three new Carychium species found in North and Central America, including Georgia, Belize, and Panama. The discovery uses computer tomography to visualize snail shells and identify different species.
A study of 46,766 patients found that men developed lung cancer 2.0 years earlier and had a higher stage at diagnosis compared to women. The researchers suggest that annual screening for women may be too frequent, with every 2-3 year intervals potentially being more suitable.
A new study at the University of California found that assessing and comparing radiation doses across hospitals can lead to significantly lower doses for common CT scans. The project resulted in substantially lower radiation doses for chest and abdominal scans, as well as more consistent radiation doses for head scans.
A large observational study found that CT scans detect subclinical leaflet thrombosis in 12.1% of patients after aortic valve replacement, increasing the risk of transient ischemic attacks but not death or stroke. Oral anticoagulants reduced the risk of clots, while anti-platelet therapy was associated with increased risk.
A major report found that young adults with even a small amount of calcified coronary plaque are strongly associated with increased risk of developing clinical coronary heart disease over the ensuing decade. Those with the highest scores had a greater than 20 percent chance of dying of a heart event.
Orthopaedic surgeons are adopting new patient-focused measures to improve post-surgical outcomes and quality of life. The National Institutes of Health's Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS) is being used to objectively assess and track patient symptoms over time.
A survey of medical professionals in Saskatchewan found that most recognize an increased cancer risk from CT scans, but many underestimate the actual radiation dose. The study suggests that automation and education can improve understanding and minimize risks.
The Ottawa Hospital has developed a mobile health app based on the internationally known Ottawa Rules, which help physicians determine whether a scan is needed for injured bones. The app aims to reduce unnecessary imaging and emergency room wait times, saving patients and hospitals money.
A new study published in JAMA Neurology detected evidence of concussions in patients up to 7 days after injury using a simple blood test. The discovery could greatly expand the window for diagnosing concussions, especially in children who experience delayed symptoms.
Researchers at NYU Langone Health successfully performed ultra-low dose CT scans to diagnose joint fractures with 14 times less radiation, achieving 98% sensitivity and comparable image quality. The protocol, called REDUCTION, has significant implications for public health and safety.
A new study at Hospital for Special Surgery finds that low-dose EOS imaging system performs as well as conventional CT scans in assessing limb length. The system provides less radiation exposure and allows for better assessment of limb alignment compared to CT scans.
A study published in the American Journal of Clinical Oncology challenges the widely-held belief that low-dose radiation from medical imaging procedures can cause cancer. The authors argue that the linear no-threshold model, used to estimate cancer risks, has never been conclusively demonstrated by empirical evidence.
A UCSF-led study found a significant increase in CT scans for non-serious injuries from 2005 to 2013, with more than 8 million adult patient visits tracked. The rise is attributed to defensive medicine practices, diagnostic accuracy, convenience, and demand for expedited discharge.
Researchers have developed a blood test that can detect subtle signs of concussion in children with 94% accuracy, identifying the presence of traumatic brain injuries and severity levels. This simple yet effective test uses biomarkers found in glial cells surrounding neurons in the brain.
A study from Massachusetts General Hospital found that CT scans altered physicians' diagnoses and management decisions for over half of patients with abdominal pain, chest pain/shortness of breath, or headache. The scan helped confirm or rule out alternative diagnoses in most cases, leading to changes in admission decisions.
A new simulation training program cuts precious minutes off trauma patients' evaluation times, getting them to medical imaging tests faster. The program involves former trauma patients and families in providing feedback to caregivers.
A new study led by UC San Francisco physician Robert Rodriguez demonstrates that nearly all major and minor injuries from blunt trauma can be detected with fewer chest CT scans. The study developed decision-making tools based on clinical criteria to avoid unnecessary diagnostic imaging, reducing radiation exposure and medical costs.
Children's hospitals have reduced CT scan usage for 10 common childhood diagnoses, opting for alternative imaging methods like ultrasound and MRI instead. This shift is attributed to growing evidence linking ionizing radiation from CT scans to increased cancer risk and the adoption of electronic health records.
A new study found that 53% of children with sports-related head injuries receive CT scans, but only 4% have traumatic brain injuries. Researchers recommend using evidence-based prediction rules to decrease unnecessary CT scan use and promote injury prevention in high-risk sports.
A comprehensive lung cancer screening program utilizing CT scan technology at Intermountain Medical Center has been developed to detect lung cancer more accurately. The program, based on the National Lung Screening Trial, showed patients with CT scans had a 15-20% lower risk of dying compared to those with standard chest X-rays.
Studies purporting to show a cancer link between radiation from medical imaging and cancer are badly flawed due to reliance on the linear no-threshold model. The human body has evolved to repair damage from low-dose radiation, making it unlikely that exposure would cause cancer.
Corina Logan's research using CT scans to measure endocranial volume found that external skull measurements are not accurate for predicting brain size in the great-tailed grackle. The study highlights the importance of validating and quantifying predictive accuracy of brain size proxies for each species and sex.
A new approach using MRI scans has been developed to improve stroke care by diagnosing patients within 60 minutes of hospital arrival. The study found that this method reduced door-to-treatment times from 93 to 55 minutes, with a significant increase in the percentage of patients treated promptly.
Research shows that CT scans paired with standard care lead to more accurate diagnoses of coronary artery disease, altering follow-up testing and treatments. This results in a lower incidence of heart attacks among patients receiving the test compared to those receiving usual care.
A large trial found that patients with symptoms of heart disease have similar outcomes regardless of whether they undergo a functional stress test or a computed tomographic scan. However, the scan may be better at ruling out the need for subsequent tests and procedures in patients who are free of heart disease.
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.
Physician self-referrals have increased market share at the expense of non-self-references for services like MRI and CT scans. The practice has allowed doctors to refer patients to clinics where they have a financial stake, raising concerns about the blending of profit and medical care.
A new study published in the American Heart Association journal Stroke found that CT scans taken within 24 hours of a mild, non-disabling stroke can identify patterns of damage associated with different levels of risk for a subsequent stroke. The analysis revealed that patients with certain types of brain damage were at a higher risk o...
A study of over 43,000 children with head trauma found that falls were the most common cause of head injuries in children under 12, while assaults, sports, and car crashes were more prevalent in teenagers. The findings suggest that CT scans may be overused during diagnosis, and could help policy makers develop injury-prevention measures.
Overuse of medical tests and treatments can cause unnecessary harm to children, says a pediatrician. The Choosing Wisely campaign has identified over 250 procedures that are considered overused or inappropriate in pediatrics.
A new algorithm has been developed to diagnose pediatric patients with suspected appendicitis, reducing the need for computed tomography (CT) scans. The study found that CT utilization decreased by over 50% after implementation, without affecting diagnostic accuracy.
A study of Utah youth with suspected sports-related head injuries found that emergency room visits and head CT scans have increased since the state's concussion law was passed in 2011, potentially leading to unnecessary radiation exposure. Researchers are calling for legislators to consider the effects of the law on treatment protocols.
A new study by Mayo Clinic reveals that CT scans are effective in detecting uric acid crystals around joints, particularly in patients with multiple gout-like flares. Accurate diagnosis is crucial as gout patients require different medication than those with other forms of inflammatory arthritis.
Using point-of-care ultrasound for suspected appendicitis in kids has been shown to reduce emergency room length of stay by 46% and avoid unnecessary CT scans. The study found no cases of appendicitis were missed, and surgeons became more comfortable using ultrasound for decision-making.
A new study in The Lancet Diabetes & Endocrinology assesses the progression of 'silent' adrenal tumours (adrenal incidentalomas) and their impact on cardiovascular events and death. The results show that some tumours became more active over time, increasing cardiovascular risk, especially in patients whose tumours secrete cortisol.
Researchers found that emergency patients were 59% less likely to have repeated CT scans, 44% less likely for ultrasounds, and 67% less likely for chest X-rays when both hospitals shared patient records. The study suggests health information exchanges (HIEs) may deliver efficiency they promise.
A study from North Carolina State University finds that CT scan data can be incorporated into a forensic database to determine the ancestry and sex of unidentified remains. This may also have clinical applications for craniofacial surgeons.
Researchers found that the risk of developing diverticulitis from diverticulosis is significantly lower than previously thought, with only 1% over seven years. Younger patients diagnosed with diverticulosis are more likely to progress to diverticulitis.
Researchers found that bedside ultrasound reduced x-ray usage by 5 times and CT scans by 3.5 times, without affecting mortality rates or health outcomes. This cost-effective alternative is a significant improvement over traditional imaging methods.
A team of pediatric neurosurgeons and neuroradiologists at Johns Hopkins developed a way to minimize radiation exposure in children requiring repeat CT scans of the brain. They reduced exposure without compromising diagnostic accuracy or treatment decisions.
A large study found that 4% of head-trauma scans have unexpected results, ranging from benign to life-threatening cancers. Doctors should weigh patient rights against financial costs and anxiety when dealing with incidental findings.
Scientists at NIST have developed a new standard reference material (SRM) for medical computed tomography (CT), enabling hospitals to calibrate their CAT scanners and link tissue density measurements to international standards. The SRM allows for accurate calibration, which is crucial for diagnosing lung diseases effectively.
A new study finds that half a billion dollars could be saved annually by using bedside physical exams to identify patients who truly need imaging tests instead of routine head CT scans. Emergency room physicians can confidently diagnose benign inner-ear disorders, freeing up resources for those who need stroke diagnosis.
A new technology has reduced overall radiation exposure from CT scans in children by 37 percent, according to a recent study. The software uses mathematical calculations to determine the lowest possible radiation dose for each patient, allowing radiologists to precisely control the amount of radiation based on patient size.
A new study found that CT scan use increased by 15 years in children at nonprofit health care delivery systems, exposing them to higher cancer risk. Strategies like Image Gently aim to reduce this risk by lowering radiation doses and eliminating unnecessary scans.
A study of young Australians found a small increase in cancer risk after receiving CT scans, particularly at younger ages. The risk increased with the number of scans, but the benefits of early diagnosis and monitoring largely outweigh the risks.
A large population-based study confirms a small increased cancer risk following CT scans in childhood and adolescence. The researchers found a significant increase in cancer incidence among exposed individuals, with the highest risk seen in children under five years old.
A new study led by Johns Hopkins Medicine researchers has developed a simple bedside test that can determine whether severe dizziness is caused by a stroke or something benign. The portable device uses eye movement tests to diagnose strokes with 100% accuracy, promising to prevent misdiagnosis and save lives.
A study of over 12,000 children has identified seven factors that can help physicians determine if a CT scan is necessary following blunt trauma to the abdomen. Children with none of these factors have only a 0.1% chance of having an abdominal injury requiring acute intervention.
A new study questions the need for routinely obtaining repeated CT scans in patients with mild head trauma, suggesting that it is unnecessary when patients are unchanged or improving neurologically. The study found that only two patients had a change in treatment based solely on routine repeated CT scans.
A new study by Washington University School of Medicine found that children suspected of having appendicitis are more likely to receive ultrasound scans instead of CT scans at St. Louis Children's Hospital, reducing radiation exposure. Researchers aim to find ways to reduce CT imaging use without compromising patient care.
A clinical trial by UCSF researchers found that hospital MRIs are better at predicting long-term outcomes for people with mild traumatic brain injuries than CT scans. The study revealed detectable spots on MRI scans called focal lesions, which helped doctors predict persistent neurological problems in patients with 'normal' CT scans.
A new study led by Johns Hopkins Medicine found that long-term survival rates for patients undergoing abdominal aneurysm repair with either open or less-invasive endovascular procedures are comparable. However, the research suggests that elderly patients may not benefit from the minimally invasive operation.
A panel of experts recommends more research on the health effects of medical imaging and ways to reduce unnecessary CT tests, as well as industry standardization of CT machines. The experts stress that despite widespread public concern about radiation risks, the biologic effects from medical imaging tests are not entirely understood.