Feature | Dave Fornell

In an era of healthcare reform and a push to meet appropriate use guidelines for tests, imaging and therapy amid declining reimbursements, there has been much discussion about implementation of clinical decision support (CDS) software. There is apprehension by some physicians who view CDS as technology telling doctors how to practice medicine. There are others in healthcare who are concerned about adding cost with the implementation of this software and how it will be updated based on the most current clinical data and practice guidelines. However, if implemented in a way where it is integrated with workflow and accepted by the physicians and hospital leadership, CDS has helped some hospitals meet appropriate use criteria and reduce unnecessary tests, which in turn helped reduce healthcare costs.

Time March 19, 2013
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Feature | Williette Nyanue

The benefits of computer-aided detection (CAD) for mammography images can be a polarizing topic for many radiologists. The technology has proven to be beneficial in detecting breast calcifications, and today’s CAD software has nearly perfect accuracy in detecting these calcifications. The software has also been noted to help inexperienced radiologists with detecting suspicious areas of breast tissue that may require special attention. However, CAD has not yet proven to be as accurate in its detection of tumors, and for radiologists with a more experienced eye, the software has not made itself as useful. CAD developers are making specific changes to the software that allows for increased visual clarity, context and medical history to make this technology more effective for radiologists across the board.

Time March 19, 2013
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Case Study | Hologic Inc.

Just weeks after implementing 3D mammography (breast tomosynthesis) in their practice, radiologists at Weinstein Imaging Associates found breast cancers in three patients that were not seen on the 2D images and the entire staff became instant believers in the new technology.

Time March 19, 2013
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Feature | Gregory M. Eckel, M.D.

As a result of routine mammography screening, approximately 1.6 million breast biopsies are performed annually to determine whether a suspicious lesion is malignant or benign. Of these 1.6 million biopsies, approximately 20 percent will result in a positive cancer diagnosis.[1] These numbers are staggering alone, and are just the statistics for one out of more than 200 types of cancers. As radiologists, we strive to provide our patients with the best medical care available, but what we do not always think about is what happens after a sample leaves our office. Errors that occur in the biopsy diagnostic process are specific diagnostic errors that imaging professionals must address.

Time March 19, 2013
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Feature | Raissa Rocha

Advances in digital mammography are evolving as clinicians look to improve breast cancer screening in women. In recent years, new technological trends have emerged; notably, the addition of 3-D breast imaging, or tomosynthesis, which was approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 2011. But as technology improves, questions remain over the recommended frequency of screening for breast cancer.

Time March 19, 2013
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Case Study | Hologic Inc.

For years, high cancer diagnosis rates and limited access to quality health services plagued the Navajo residents cared for by the Tséhootsooí Medical Center in Fort Defiance, Arizona.

Time March 19, 2013
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Feature | By Williette Nyanue

Increasing research on women with dense breasts is having a positive effect on imaging modalities. It is estimated that between 30–40 percent of women in the United States have dense breasts. Because fatty breast tissue makes it difficult to identify breast tumors on standard mammography exams until very advanced stages, dense breasts are a strong independent factor for breast cancer. Research has shown that it is beneficial for this population of women to invest in additional imaging.

Time March 19, 2013
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Feature | By Jeff W.M. Bulte, Ph.D., Ryan D. Niederkohr, M.D. and Eva M. Sevick, Ph.D.

Defining disease processes by their cellular and molecular signatures has enabled molecular diagnosis and the development of targeted therapies, and advances in genomics offer promise for earlier disease detection and possibly molecular prevention. The field of molecular imaging is embracing these advances and is using a diverse set of molecular imaging strategies to interrogate disease states and physiology.

Time March 19, 2013
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Blog

In early February, the Centers for Medicare and Medical Services (CMS) announced a final rule necessary to implement requirements laid out in the Affordable Care Act Sunshine Rule that will increase public disclosure of financial relationships between drug/device manufacturers, and physicians and teaching hospitals.

Time March 19, 2013
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Technology

For better treatment planning during cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT), Toshiba America Medical System Inc.’s Activation Imaging is the company’s latest addition to its 3-D Wall Motion Tracking software. Activation Imaging is an U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-cleared, proprietary technology available on the Aplio Artida cardiovascular ultrasound system.

Time March 15, 2013
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Technology

March 14, 2013 — invendo medical announced it has entered the U.S. market with the first installation of systems at two renowned GI endoscopy centers, NYU Langone Medical Center and New York-Presbyterian Hospital/Columbia University Medical Center.

Time March 14, 2013
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News

March 14, 2013 — Lantheus Medical Imaging Inc. announced the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has granted approval of a supplemental new drug application (sNDA) that allows Jubilant HollisterStier (JHS) to be a new manufacturing site for its ultrasound imaging agent, Definity Vial for (Perflutren Lipid Microsphere) Injectable Suspension.

Time March 14, 2013
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Case Study | Intelerad Medical Systems

In the Canterbury region of New Zealand, the Canterbury District Health Board (DHB) ensures the effective coordination and delivery of public healthcare services to the district’s 500,000 residents. It is the largest employer in New Zealand’s South Island, with more than 9,000 staff across 14 hospitals and numerous community bases.Canterbury DHB is highly patient-centric. The group strives diligently to remove bottlenecks from what is often referred to as “the patient’s journey.” Canterbury DHB has used Intelerad’s IntelePACS for the seamless archiving, distributing, and secure sharing of images and reports.IntelePACS’ integrated workflow, universal worklist, and comprehensive InteleViewer module increase productivity and efficiency for the organization’s radiologists. “It is Intelerad’s workflow that makes the difference,” says Dr. Sean Skea, Canterbury DHB’s chief of radiology at Christchurch Hospital.In the Christchurch area, the patient journey may begin in the public system, continue with a private specialist and then return to the public system. Efficiency in patient imaging is maintained, however, because private practitioners in Christchurch also use IntelePACS. Thus, physicians and radiologists get instant, seamless access to prior images and reports, whether the studies originated in the public or private system.The availability of a common, robust PACS solution also allows Canterbury DHB to effectively share its radiology workload with the private sector when necessary. This has been critical as demand for services can outpace the supply of radiologists in the public system.

Time March 14, 2013
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News

March 13, 2013 — GE Healthcare announced last month the first global commercial installation of its Optima NM/CT 640 technology, a new performance SPECT/CT system that helps physicians balance high image quality with low patient radiation dose and efficiency.

Time March 13, 2013
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Feature

March 13, 2013 — The March 2013 issue of the Journal of Urology includes a study conducted by four physicians from Radiotherapy Clinics of Georgia (RCOG), a Vantage Oncology affiliate. The study, 25 Year Disease Free Survival Rate after Irradiation of Prostate Cancer Calculated with the Prostate Specific Antigen Definition of Recurrence Used for Radical Prostatectomy, is the first to analyze 25 years of follow-up data after radiation therapy treatment for prostate cancer patients.

Time March 13, 2013
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Blog

What a difference a few decades makes. In the early-1980s radiologists couldn’t wait to get their hands on an MR scanner. Never mind the clinical value was anything but certain. The most anybody could say is that MR absolutely, positively diagnosed multiple sclerosis. Reimbursement, shmeimbursement. Lay down a couple or three million dollars. Knock down a wall. Bring that monster in. We’ll just hope it pans out.

Time March 13, 2013
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Feature

Atherosclerosis is usually considered to be related to contemporary risk factors such as smoking, obesity and lack of exercise. However, researchers suggest that high prevalence of atherosclerosis in pre-modern humans may support the possibility of a more basic human predisposition to the disease.

Time March 13, 2013
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News

March 12, 2013 — TeraMedica announced the opening of a new U.K. office to service markets in Europe, Africa and the Middle East, spearheading the firm’s international expansion.

Time March 12, 2013
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News

March 12, 2013 — Brit Systems announced that Novation, the healthcare supply chain expertise and contracting company for VHA, has awarded the company a three-year contract with the potential for two expansion years. The contract starts May 1, 2013.

Time March 12, 2013
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News

March 12, 2013 — EDAP TMS SA announced that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has provided a positive administrative acceptance review notification for the company's premarket approval (PMA) application for its Ablatherm integrated imaging HIFU (high-intensity focused ultrasound) device for treatment of low-risk, localized prostate cancer.

Time March 12, 2013
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