Diagnostic Imaging

PET links brain chemistry, personality

08/20/2008 - 0:50 AM EST

In the first study of its kind, German researchers have shown a correlation between healthy people's personalities and their brain chemistry using PET. Findings could lead to better understanding and treatment of addictive behavior.

Imaging guidance prevents complications in vertebroplasty

08/19/2008 - 9:05 AM EST

Demand for percutaneous vertebroplasty may be growing, but radiologists should not be offering the procedure unless they are properly trained and prepared, according to Prof. Afshin Gangi, a professor of radiology at the University Hospital of Strasbourg in France.

New cases of contrast-related nephrogenic systemic fibrosis drop

08/19/2008 - 9:02 AM EST

A status report on nephrogenic systemic fibrosis suggests that new cases of the rare but devastating skin disease associated with exposure to gadolinium-based MRI contrast media have slowed to a trickle since the introduction of regulatory restrictions in the U.S. and Europe in 2007.

Radiology's family-friendly image comes under scrutiny

08/19/2008 - 8:52 AM EST

Good pay, defined hours, potential for flexible working—the case for radiology as a family-friendly specialty seems undeniable on paper. In practice, however, radiology's growing female workforce faces considerable hurdles combining motherhood with a medical career.

Dose/quality balance dominates in cardiac CT

08/19/2008 - 8:45 AM EST

Interest in cardiac imaging with multislice CT is growing, as evidenced by the large number of studies that have been published on this topic. Advances in cardiac MSCT have also been aided by the introduction of extremely fast, user-friendly scanners.

Could handheld ultrasound become our stethoscope?

08/19/2008 - 8:41 AM EST

You know time is marching on when the junior doctors—and even some professors—look young enough to be your offspring. They request examinations using abbreviations that would make you think of an offroad vehicle if only you could read the request form. You know you left your glasses somewhere, but you need your glasses to look for them!

Perfusion CT approaches first-pass fMRI

08/19/2008 - 8:36 AM EST

With piles of accumulated evidence demonstrating the ability of multislice CT to diagnose coronary artery disease, researchers are expanding clinical application of the modality to the measurement of myocardial viability following infarction.

Thoracic aortic stenting tops surgery for management of blunt trauma

08/19/2008 - 0:46 AM EST

Endovascular repair is better and safer than surgery for the treatment of blunt thoracic aortic trauma, according to the largest review of clinical data to date comparing both procedures. Stent-grafts could save more lives and reduce the risk of paraplegia, a frequent surgical complication.

Molecular imaging shows enormous clinical potential

08/18/2008 - 4:43 PM EST

It is not difficult to find resources on the topic of molecular imaging. A number of comprehensive review articles have been published^1-5 and dedicated websites created (e.g., www.mi-central.org/). What follows is an introduction to this emerging area with radiologists' needs in mind.

Heading into the future, a symbiotic relationship

08/18/2008 - 4:38 PM EST

The role of radiology in biomedical research has changed drastically over the past 10 years. Radiology researchers traditionally focused on two key areas: technical development and clinical applications. Investigators were aware of the lack of cost-benefit studies for imaging procedures demonstrating therapeutic efficacy as well as technical robustness and diagnostic accuracy.

Case of the Issue

08/18/2008 - 4:33 PM EST

A 41-year-old man complained of inconsistent episodes of right shoulder pain for four weeks. He did not remember experiencing trauma before the first expression of symptoms. The patient's medical history did not document prior disturbances. The orthopedic surgeon suspected the presence of impingement syndrome on the basis of an initial physical examination.

Fast Scanning by Poorly Trained ER Physicians Can Slow Diagnosis

08/18/2008 - 4:25 PM EST

Critically injured patients could be diagnosed and treated far more quickly if trauma protocols took account of 21st-century radiology services. Victims of severe injury are referred for unnecessary x-rays, vital CT scans are delayed, and potentially life-saving imaging-led interventions are not requested, according to Dr. Anthony Nicholson, consultant radiologist and clinical director for intervention and ultrasound at the Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust in the U.K.

Legal uncertainties linger as teleradiology expands

08/18/2008 - 4:20 PM EST

Telemedicine has developed considerably over the past four or five years, turning from a much-debated theory into a practical reality. E-prescribing, telemonitoring, and teleradiology are becoming increasingly commonplace, and further growth in these and other areas is likely.

Teleradiology alone cannot plug imaging's leaky pipeline

08/18/2008 - 4:15 PM EST

When I was in my mid to late teens, I was the only female pupil in my year to study physics at senior school. Females were also the "lesser spotted sex" in the physics classes I attended at university. Judging from the presenters on the speakers' platforms at most imaging congresses, I would have been working in a similarly male-dominated environment had I chosen to pursue a career in radiology.

CT and MRI provide impetus in cardiac imaging revolution

08/18/2008 - 9:14 AM EST

Coronary heart disease is one of the leading causes of morbidity and mortality in developed countries.¹ Accurate detection of early cardiac disease is of utmost importance for the delivery of appropriate treatment.

Over-the-counter anesthetic gel reduces mammogram discomfort

08/18/2008 - 0:51 AM EST

The simple application of lidocaine gel may reduce the breast discomfort some women experience during mammography exams, according to the results of a clinical trial from Idaho.

Carotid ultrasound predicts stroke, heart attack risk

08/15/2008 - 0:08 AM EST

Evaluation of carotid artery plaque density performed on serial ultrasound scans could help identify patients at high risk for a heart attack or other adverse cardiovascular events, according to Austrian researchers.

MRI spots early biological markers of Alzheimer's

08/14/2008 - 0:48 AM EST

The era of postautopsy confirmation of Alzheimer's disease may be coming to an end. MR imaging could spot signs of brain deterioration predictive of cognitive decline months, even years, before the onset of dementia, according to recent studies performed in Canada, Europe, and the U.S.

Of heroes and teams

08/14/2008 - 0:24 AM EST

Two virtual soccer clubs -- Predator F.C. and F50 -- would seem to have markedly different approaches to success. The Predator players focus on teamwork, determination, and precision. F50 players favor flair, flamboyance, and speed.

PACS vendors explore managed services model

08/13/2008 - 6:48 PM EST

At first glance, the recent volley of vendor offerings called managed services looks like a reincarnation of the application service provider model popular a few years ago.