Lately, it seems that breast imagers cannot go a week without reading about new breast imaging research or seeing an article on breast density, the associated risk of breast cancer and the limitations of mammography. In this article, I will summarize today’s current understanding and also provide a look into what I believe the future holds for breast screening.
Stage 2 MU Has Inclusions for Imaging

There are some key requirements specifically aimed at imaging and radiology included in the Stage 2 meaningful use (MU) requirements released Aug. 23 by the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). HHS fielded many concerns and questions about these requirements and offered answers in the 642-page document.

As many healthcare systems consider the advantages of moving patient data to a cloud-based service, radiology and IT managers are understandably concerned about data security. The good news is that healthcare facilities of all sizes can achieve more comprehensive data security from healthcare cloud service suppliers due to their expertise and investment in advanced technologies, infrastructures and processes. 

The ability of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to create exquisite images of the body’s soft tissues – and the tumors that arise amid them – is helping physicians at the National Cancer Center Singapore (NCCS) to precisely shape brachytherapy doses to cervical tumors, while at the same time avoiding exposure to critical healthy organs and tissues. 
Ultrasound Market Healthy and Growing

The ultrasound market appears to be going strong in 2012, with healthcare providers expressing contentment with their systems and predicting increased usage for the future. This is the general sentiment expressed in a recent report by KLAS entitled, “Ultrasound 2012: Technology Improved, Usage Amplified,” published in June.
Emerging Trends in Ultrasound Imaging, Toshiba's Aplio 500

Advancements in diagnostic ultrasound imaging technology have helped improve diagnosis by providing immediate clinical information. Availability of instant diagnostic data has consequently helped reduce overall healthcare costs by replacing more expensive diagnostic exams. 
Hitachi's Echelon Oval 1.5T

Activity in the magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) systems marketplace this year included the appearance of several units featuring a wide bore. Despite its benefits in terms of soft tissue image quality, MRI always had a slight hurdle to overcome in terms of patient comfort, both for patients whose clautrophobic tendencies make them cringe at entering the small tube to the obese population that has difficulty fitting into a smaller opening. Systems offering another 10-14 cm of diameter make scanning easier for those groups and are attractive to providers that want to attract and accommodate as many patients as they can.

Varian Medical Systems Inc., manufacturer of medical technology for treating cancer with radiotherapy, announced that China's State Food and Drug Administration (SFDA) has granted clearance to market the UNIQUE medical linear accelerator, a single-energy machine for treating cancer with advanced forms of image-guided radiotherapy. The versatile UNIQUE system can be used to deliver intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) and RapidArc treatments, which precisely target tumors while minimizing exposure of surrounding healthy tissues.

Clinicians at the Harley Street Clinic in London are using the Calypso GPS for the body system from Varian Medical Systems to provide real-time tracking of tumors during prostate cancer radiotherapy treatments. The first such system to be installed in the United Kingdom, Calypso real-time tracking has been used to enhance the precision and quality of treatments for more than 20 prostate cancer patients at the clinic to date.

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