Sectra enters the Greek market
The Swedish IT and medical-technology company Sectra has signed a distribution agreement with the Greek company Proton S.A., a provider of medical imaging and security systems based in Athens.
Mammography
Recession fears penetrate RSNA 2008
Chicago, November - At first glance, the 94th Scientific Assembly and Annual Meeting of the Radiological Society of North America appeared to be bigger than ever and impervious to the massive economic recession of its host country. RSNA 2008 ate into every inch of Chicago's McCormick Place trade centre. To reduce crowd congestion, technical exhibitions had been expanded to include a third massive…
Mammography: What really counts?
The fact that the female breast is one of the most radiation sensitive organs in the human body is a major driver for all those searching for low radiation alternatives - one of these routes lies in photon counting.
Radiation dose and digital mammography
The use of mammography to maintain breast health comes with a caveat: exposure of the breast to radiation, which can increase the susceptibility risk of breast cancer. Thus, using the lowest possible radiation dose for mammograms is of utmost importance.
Siemens opens Cologne research centre
Siemens Healthcare has opened a new research centre in Cologne, where around 40 employees are developing new diagnostic tests to describe the molecular characteristics of breast cancer cells, to help physicians to select individual therapy.
Core needle beast biopsies safe for patients taking blood thinners
It is safe to take anticoagulants before core needle breast biopsies, according to a study performed at the Elizabeth Wende Breast Clinic in Rochester, NY.
CAD boosts single readers
Double reading is better than single reading - at least for the detection of small breast cancer. But a software could boost one readers functionality. UK-researchers found out that performance of a single reader using a computer-aided detection system may match the performance achieved by two readers.
Better images for X-ray mammography with new tool
Fighting breast cancer is always a race against time - early detection of breast carcinoma an essential condition for cure. Now Scientists from Finland, Germany and France developed a promising new CT technique with high resolution and contrast that visualises tumours that are even diffusely growing or those in dense breasts.
Breast cancer: new method is more effective than mammography in women with dense breasts
“Molecular breast imaging” (MBI), a new scintigraphy method developed by US researchers, might improve early detection of breast cancer in women with dense breasts. The results of an initial clinical study were recently presented at the Breast Cancer Symposium of the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) in Washington, DC, USA.
Every or every second year doesn't make a difference
Researchers compared the Norwegian organised population based mammogram screening every second year and a physician- or self-referrals annual test in the US. Both are equally sensitive, but the recall rate for abnormal results was lower in Norway.
OTC-gel for painless mammograms
It sounds impressively simple: An over-the-counter pain-relieving gel from the drugstore may reduce the uncomfortable and even dolorous feeling women experience during mammography exams, according to the a study published in the online edition of Radiology.
Still a lot to learn about breast cancer
Since decades women carefully feel their breast. Hoping that they will not find any evidence for lumps or other changes, that might signal breast cancer. However, a review of recent studies conclude that self-exams do not appear to reduce deaths. Whereas radiation therapy may lower recurrence rate of rare breast cancer.
Cancer under costs control
Doctors have to fulfil two jobs, which seem to be diametrically opposed: They have to provide the best care for their patients and simultaneously have to think economical. Researchers found that rising health care costs in cancer care make it necessary for clinicians to be aware of the relative costs of new interventions.
Is mammography enough for all women?
While in Europe experts still discuss whether mammography screening is the ideal tool to save women from breast cancer, the Wall Street Journal investigated if mammography is really enough. Physicians claim that women with higher risk to develop breast carcinoma should receive MRI or ultrasound.
2008 Medical Design Excellence Award
The Medical Design Excellence Awards competition is organised and presented by Canon Communications LLC (Los Angeles) and is the only awards programme that exclusively recognizes contributions and advances in the design of medical products.
Fujifilm's digital mammo goes mobile
Fujifilm Medical Systems USA, based in Stamford, Connecticut, reports that it's CR for mammography (FCRm), a full-field digital mammography system, is now available for use in mobile mammography environments.
Personalised medicine?
'How do you treat the HIV-positive, diabetic, schizophrenic patient presenting with chest pain? By making the necessary information available for personalised medicine'
Flexibility, Convenience, Productivity
At ECR 2008 Carestream Health will demonstrate powerful new digital imaging and IT solutions, which help healthcare providers improve quality and operational performance. Carestream Health is rapidly expanding its presence in European e-health by providing innovative solutions that combine ease of use with advanced functionality, enabling the full benefits of an all-digital workflow to be…
Sectra launches a new PACS system
Sectra's wide portfolio on show at the ECR this year includes a new PACS workstation, a photon-counting MicroDose Mammography system, pre-operative solutions for orthopaedic surgery and the company's full range of Enterprise Control solutions.
The new IMPAX Solution Suite
Agfa Healthcare's new IMPAX solution suites offer PACS and RIS to cover hospital data handling and cardiovascular, cardiology, orthopaedics, mammography and radiology data.
XPCi
By Professor Robert D Speller, Head of the Radiation Physics Group, University College London, and Dr Alessandro Olivo, of the Medical Physics & Bioengineering Dept. University College London
Mammography in Russia
Breast cancer morbidity has been the leading oncology disease (21.8%) in Russia since 1996 - and since 1981 in St. Petersburg. In Moscow, the morbidity has increased 52.4% in last 14 years.
Breast tomosynthesis
A promising mammography screening technology By Andrew Smith PhD, principal scientist at Hologic, Inc. in Bedford, Mass, is involved in research and development of digital imaging systems.
GE Healthcare expands expertise in mammography
GE Healthcare recently acquired Image Diagnost International GmbH, an IT provider specialised on developing integrated software solutions for mammography workflow and image processing. With this acquisition GE Healthcare expands its capabilities in offering clinicians and national screening services an even more expanded portfolio for the detection of breast cancer.
United Kingdom
Brenda Marsh reports on the country's flourishing and expanding breast screening programme