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White children more likely to receive CT scans than Hispanic or African-American children

A recent study by researchers at UC Davis found that white children are more likely to receive cranial CT scans following minor head trauma compared to Hispanic and African-American children. This may be due to unnecessary radiation exposure, as white children were more likely to have parental anxiety cited as a reason for the scan.

SourceUniversity of California - Davis Health·JournalArchives of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine·DateAug 6, 2012

Heart CT scans may help emergency room personnel more quickly assess patients with chest pain

A recent study has found that adding computed tomography (CT) scans to standard screening procedures can help emergency room staff rapidly determine whether patients are having a heart attack or not. This allows for quicker discharges and reduced hospital stays, with half of patients discharged in under 9 hours.

SourceNIH/National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute·JournalNew England Journal of Medicine·DateJul 25, 2012

Lung nodule matching software dramatically increases radiologists' efficiency

A new study has found that lung nodule matching software can significantly improve radiologists' efficiency, with an average increase of almost two-fold compared to manual matching. The software correctly matched nodules at an accuracy rate of 79-92% while reducing the time required for matching from 1 second to under 6 minutes.

SourceAmerican Roentgen Ray Society·JournalAmerican Journal of Roentgenology·DateJun 26, 2012

Electronic medical record tool cuts down on unnecessary CT scans in ER patients with abdominal pain

A new tool embedded in patients' electronic medical records helps reduce the use of CT scans among ER patients with abdominal pain, resulting in a 10% decrease in potentially unnecessary tests. The study found no increase in hospital admissions, suggesting the tool is effective in balancing diagnosis accuracy with patient safety.

Researchers find little secondary cancer risk from multi-detector CT scans in Medicare population

A recent study published in the Journal of the American College of Radiology found that multi-detector CT scans pose a lower risk of developing secondary cancers among older adults. The researchers analyzed data from Medicare claims spanning eight years and estimated that only 0.03-0.04 percent of the population would develop radiation...

SourceAmerican College of Radiology·JournalJournal of the American College of Radiology·DateApr 2, 2012

Hospitalizing children with normal CT scans after blunt head trauma is not necessary

A large national multi-center study found that most children with minor blunt head trauma and normal CT scans do not require hospitalization for further observation. Children who were hospitalized after normal CT scans did not have subsequent abnormal CT scans or MRIs, and none required neurosurgical intervention.

SourceUniversity of California - Davis Health·JournalAnnals of Emergency Medicine·DateJun 17, 2011

Lessening the dangers of radiation

A Tel Aviv University researcher has found that ultrasound scans are as effective as CT scans for diagnosing head and neck ailments, suggesting a safer alternative. The study's results have implications for the use of CT scans in medical procedures, particularly those involving radiation exposure.

SourceAmerican Friends of Tel Aviv University·JournalEuropean Archives of Oto-Rhino-Laryngology·DateMay 11, 2011

Making 'virtopsies' a reality

A new research project at the University of Leicester aims to develop a reliable and cost-effective system for diagnosing coronary heart disease using CT scans. The technology will enable visualisation of coronary arteries in cadavers, making diagnoses comparable to current autopsy practice.

New CATCH rule to determine need for CT scans in children with minor head injury

A new study introduces the CATCH rule to guide physicians in determining whether a child with minor head trauma should receive a CT scan. The 7-simple findings from history and physical exam have the potential to standardize CT scans and reduce unnecessary radiation exposure, while also minimizing healthcare costs.

SourceCanadian Medical Association Journal·JournalCanadian Medical Association Journal·DateFeb 8, 2010

Large medical center reduces CT scans and patient radiation exposure through a simple, educational intervention

A study published in the American Journal of Roentgenology found that a simple educational intervention and routing patients to V/Q scanning or CTPA based on chest X-ray results significantly reduced CT scan usage and radiation exposure. The medical center saw a 20% reduction in radiation dose from 8.0 mSv to 6.4 mSv.

SourceAmerican College of Radiology·JournalAmerican Journal of Roentgenology·DateJan 21, 2010

Doctors' bedside skills trump medical technology

Researchers found that physicians' bedside exams did a better job than CT scans in predicting which patients would need to return to the operating room to treat complications such as bleeding. The low-cost, simple exam appears to be superior to routine CT scans in determining return to the operating room.

SourceLoyola Medicine·JournalJournal of Neurosurgery·DateDec 18, 2009