Article • PET-MRI
Clinical tests to confirm coronary heart disease
Hybrid imaging is of little clinical value. PET-MRI, according to many experts, is the best clinical procedure to confirm coronary heart disease (CHD). Report: Axel Viola
CT
Article • Technology
Virtual assistance during procedures
The adage ‘practice makes perfect’ is applicable to every profession – but even more so for pilots and surgeons. Flight simulation technology has been used for decades to hone aviators’ skills, and this technology is now being used by neurosurgeons to plan as well as practise surgical procedures and for real-time virtual assistance in operating theatre. Report: Cynthia E Keen
News • Market
Andalusia Health Service Selects Accenture and Carestream
Andalusia Health Service has selected Accenture and Carestream Health to deploy a picture archiving and communications system (PACS) that will allow clinicians to manage, store and share diagnostic imaging data across more than 1,600 healthcare facilities in Spain. This initiative by the Andalusia Health Service is expected to go live in late 2015, creating one of the largest medical imaging…
Contrast enhanced ultrasound
In the USA, some patients have bled to death while in the CT scanner because this type of examination takes too long for blunt abdominal trauma diagnosis. Report: Chrissanthi Nikolakudi
News • CT
The NewTom 5G cone-beam CT scanner
Precursor in the field of CBCT imaging, NewTom creates the finest solutions for clinical diagnostics,’ the manufacturer reports. ‘Our first CBCT system was originally installed in 1996. This was the forefather of the NewTom product line and of all X-ray units based on CBCT.’
Article • Incidental findings
Liver lesions are most often benign
At least 60% of liver lesions can be characterised purely by ultrasound. Screening and examinations of supposedly healthy patients often result in an accidental discovery of liver lesions. According to Dr Antonius Schuster MD MBA, Head of the Department of Radiology at the LKH Bregenz, (Vorarlberg). ‘The prevalence of such changes is around 20% of patients examined’. Depending on a…
News • Technology
Tracking system to monitor bacteria inside the body
Approach could improve treatment of drug-resistant infections. Combining a PET scanner with a new chemical tracer that selectively tags specific types of bacteria, Johns Hopkins researchers - working with mice report - have devised a way to detect and monitor in real time infections with a class of dangerous Gram-negative bacteria.
Malta needs to nurture collaborations
Imaging has progressed at vertiginous paces since X-rays were invented, not only as a diagnostic tool but also as an invaluable partner in the realm of non-invasive medical intervention.
Complementary cardiac imaging
The significant benefits of cardiac catherisation remain undisputed. However, cross-sectional imaging modalities are serious competitors when it comes to arriving at the right diagnosis.
CT is still the be all and end all
At this year’s meeting of the German Radiological Society (DRK), Dr Mathias Langer, Head of the Radiology Clinic at Freiburg University Hospital and the society’s 2013 President, assured EH that CT is still the be all and end all in trauma surgery.
Air trapping and variations in ventilation
Imaging procedures are rarely used to diagnose and treat asthma – but this may well change in the future.
Ultrasound use in airway management
Ultrasound is playing an increasing role in the management of the upper and lower airways, particularly in interventional procedures and emergency situations. It is also used to enhance patient safety.
Ultrasound steps up for emergencies
You never know what you’re going to see in the Emergency Department (ED); but, more and more the first evaluation of a trauma patient’s condition will be with ultrasound.
Only the sky’s the limit for future healthcare devices
About four years ago, Samsung Electronics Co. – specialist in electronic components and mobile phone sets, was recognised by its revenues as the world’s largest IT company, displacing Apple Inc.
Striding onto the world stage
Even a giant must learn to walk by taking small steps first. Founded in 1998, and as a wholly-owned subsidiary of Neusoft Corporation, Neusoft Medical has moved deliberately to build its strengths, becoming the premier developer and manufacturer of advanced medical equipment in China – and the first in that country capable of building a computed tomography (CT) scanner.
Philips partners with the Stockholm County Council
Royal Philips today announced that it has signed a partnership agreement with the Stockholm County Council (SCC) to jointly innovate in health care.
News • ECR
Innovations continue to flow at ECR
The European Congress of Radiology (ECR), the biggest radiology meeting in Europe, was held March 6–10 in Vienna, Austria. Over 20,000 delegates from more than 110 countries attended the annual meeting of the European Society of Radiology (ESR), which took place for the 20th time at the Austria Center Vienna.
Fighting tuberculosis in Russia remains a challenge
Approximately 1.7 billion people worldwide carry Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB), i.e. about one-third of the population. The rate of new infections is highest in Africa, followed by certain Asian regions, including areas in Russia.
Teleradiology and education
Given the ever more complex radiological examinations, the need to provide care in sparsely populated regions, or new labour law provisions such as the EU working time directive, radiologists are under increased pressure to find solutions to provide imaging services during off-hours.
CT developments far excel those for MRI
For the sixth time, Alain Blum MD has invited the French CT community to Nancy to attend a symposium on multi-detector CT. The last invitations, two years back, drew several hundred radiologists and every CT manufacturer to Nancy for two days of debate, discussion and demonstrations.
Aiding maxillofacial, small joints, cervicals and ENT diagnoses
‘A precursor in Cone-Beam Computed Tomography (CBCT) imaging, NewTom is the unrivalled benchmark in radiology thanks to highly effective research standards, flawless reliability and sheer quality,’ the manufacturer reports.
Dual energy brings more to meet the eye
How does spectral – or dual energy – imaging work? Very similar to red and green light used in black-and-white photography. A black-and-white camera provides information on the colours of the photographed objects: an object that is black under red light is actually green.
Should CTA become a screening procedure?
With low tube voltage, reduced radiation and contrast agent dose, the system delivers sufficient and meaningful data
Excellent images, better workflows and optimized collaboration
That’s what the annual RSNA meeting is all about: meeting friends and learning all about new devices, explained Jeff Immelt, GE CEO, in his keynote address at the company booth.
RSNA Mobile Computing Devices
Within many exhibitors’ booths at the RSNA, mobile computing devices are in use, a sales tool augmenting the vendor’s display. They are like bunnies running rampant. They are proliferating, and their intelligent use is aiding complex sales presentations.
