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VIDEO: One on One with Amy K. Patel, MD, American Association for Women in Radiology Immediate Past President

Breast Imaging | April 15, 2024

Don't miss ITN's latest "One on One" video interview with AAWR Past President and American College of Radiology (ACR) RAN and RADPAC Chair, Amy K. Patel, MD, discussing advocacy initiatives and innovations in artificial intelligence (AI) for breast imaging

Dr. Patel is a breast imaging trailblazer and radiology advocacy leader. In this video,  learn how radiologists can support key initiatives, ways AI is improving patient care, and more.

Related content:

Leaders from RadEqual and the AAWR Sign MOU, Solidifying Commitment to Advance Opportunities in Radiology

Technology Report: Artificial Intelligence in Radiology 2021

VIDEO: Integrating Artificial Intelligence Into Radiologists Workflow

Radiology Imaging

Enterprise Imaging | August 06, 2021

Integrated Speech recognition solutions are becoming a necessary part of radiology reporting platforms. Konica Minolta recently announced a partnership with nVoq to integrate a speech to text solution into their Exa Platform

ITN recently spoke with Kevin Borden, Vice President of Product, Healthcare IT for Konica Minolta and Chad Hiner, Vice President of Customer Experience for nVoq, to talk about how this integration is improving the Exa user experience.

Related enterprise imaging content:

Talking Trends with Konica Minolta

BLOG: Zero-footprint Viewer with Server-side Rendering Pushes Imaging Forward During Pandemic

BLOG: Exa Gateway Offers a New Way to Deliver Teleradiology 

BLOG: Artificial Intelligence for Clinical Decision Support and Increased Revenues

BLOG: The Power of the Next Generation of RIS

 

Coronavirus (COVID-19) | May 11, 2021

Yael Eshet, M.D., MSc, a diagnostic radiology specialist at Sheba Medical Center in Israel, was the lead author on a recent study that showed COVID-19 (SARS-CoV-2) vaccine adenopathy can persist more than 6 weeks. This swelling of lymph nodes is similar to what is seen cancer and infections and the new findings show it can last longer than 7-10 weeks. The current recommended time people should delay medical imaging is 6 weeks after receiving a COVID vaccine to avoid a misdiagnosis,[2] but this new study shows there is increased inflammation shown on PET-CT imaging for much longer.

These were the findings in the Radiology published study "Prevalence of Increased FDG PET/CT Axillary Lymph Node Uptake Beyond 6 Weeks after mRNA COVID-19 Vaccination."[1]

Researchers using fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG)-positron emission tomography (PET) have found increased FDG uptake in the lymph nodes of patients 7-10 weeks past their second mRNA-based Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccination. This new information indicates a persistent immune response that could be mistaken on imaging exams for serious conditions like lymphoma over a much longer period of time.

Recent recommendations for post-vaccine lymphadenopathy advise scheduling routine imaging, such as screening mammography, before, or at least 6 weeks after, the final vaccination dose to eliminate false positive results. However, this new research showed that avid axillary lymph node uptake was present beyond 6 weeks after the second vaccination in more than 29% of the patients in the study cohort.

The authors stated “This study shows that avid axillary lymph node uptake on FDG PET/CT can be detected in more than a quarter of our patient population even beyond 6 weeks after the second dose of the mRNA-based COVID-19 vaccination. Compared to a previous study showing normalization of FDG uptake within 40 days of receiving an inactivated H1N1 influenza vaccine, we found uptake persistence even at 70 days. Physicians should be aware of this potential pitfall.”

Some images in this video are from another Radiology study, which showed PET tracer uptake at the COVID vaccine injection site and other examples of axillary adenopathy.[3]

 

Related COVID Vaccine Axillary Adenapathy Content:

COVID-19 Vaccine Can Cause False Positive Cancer Diagnosis

Help Spread Awareness of Potential COVID-19 Vaccine Imaging Side-effects

VIDEO: COVID Vaccine May Cause Enlarged Lymph Nodes on Mammograms — Interview with Constance "Connie" Lehman, M.D.

COVID-19 Vaccination Axillary Adenopathy Detected During Breast Imaging

PHOTO GALLERY: How COVID-19 Appears on Medical Imaging

CMS Now Requires COVID-19 Vaccinations for Healthcare Workers by January 4

Find more radiology related COVID content 

References:

1. Yael Eshet, Noam Tau1, Yousef Alhoubani, Nayroz Kanana, Liran Domachevsky, Michal Eifer. Prevalence of Increased FDG PET/CT Axillary Lymph Node Uptake Beyond 6 Weeks after mRNA COVID-19 Vaccination. Radiology. Published Online:Apr 27 2021https://doi.org/10.1148/radiol.2021210886.

2. Constance D. Lehman, Leslie R. Lamb, and Helen Anne D'Alessandro. Mitigating the Impact of Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) Vaccinations on Patients Undergoing Breast Imaging Examinations: A Pragmatic Approach American Journal of Roentgenology. 10.2214/AJR.21.25688.

3. Can Özütemiz, Luke A. Krystosek, An L. Church, Anil Chauhan, Jutta M. Ellermann, Evidio Domingo-Musibay, Daniel Steinberger. Lymphadenopathy in COVID-19 Vaccine Recipients: Diagnostic Dilemma in Oncology Patients. Radiology. Published Online:Feb 24 2021https://doi.org/10.1148/radiol.2021210275.

 

Point-of-Care Ultrasound (POCUS) | April 01, 2021

Here are two quick clinical examples of point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) lung imaging and cardiac imaging using a GE Vscan Air device. The examples show an abnormal lung image with B-lines. The second clip shows a healthy heart in a parasternal color Doppler image.

The GE Healthcare Vscan Air is a cutting-edge, wireless pocket-sized ultrasound that provides crystal clear image quality, whole-body scanning capabilities, and intuitive software. The pocket-sized ultrasound system was originally introduced in 2010, and as of early 2021, there are over 30,000 Vscan systems in use. The new Vscan Air features a wireless ultrasound probe.

Read more in the article GE Healthcare Unveils Vscan Air Wireless Handheld Ultrasound

Find more POCUS news and video

Breast Imaging | March 26, 2021

Constance "Connie" Lehman, M.D., Ph.D., chief of breast imaging, co-director of the Avon Comprehensive Breast Evaluation Center at the Massachusetts General Hospital, and professor of radiology at Harvard Medical School, explains issues and suggested guidelines for women who receive the COVID-19 vaccine and need to get a mammogram. In the first three months since the vaccines have been released, there have been numerous case reports of the vaccine causing swollen lymph nodes. This is would usually raise a red flag for breast cancer, but is normal for many women receiving the vaccine as their body's immune system gears up against the virus. 

Lehman said cases reports of axillary adenopathy have been identified on breast imaging after coronavirus disease (COVID-19) vaccination and are rising. Lehman et al. proposed a pragmatic management approach in a recent article in the American Journal of Roentgenology (AJR).[1]

In the settings of screening mammography, screening MRI and diagnostic imaging work-up of breast symptoms, with no imaging findings beyond unilateral axillary adenopathy ipsilateral to recent (prior six weeks) vaccination, they report the adenopathy as benign with no further imaging indicated if no nodes are palpable six weeks after the last vaccine dose. 

For patients with palpable axillary adenopathy in the setting of ipsilateral recent vaccination, clinical follow-up of the axilla is recommended. In all these scenarios, axillary ultrasound is recommended if clinical concern persists six weeks after vaccination. 

In patients with recent breast cancer diagnosis in the pre- or peri-treatment setting, prompt recommended imaging is encouraged as well as vaccination (in the thigh or contralateral arm). The recommendations align with the ACR BI-RADS Atlas and aim to: 1) reduce patient anxiety, provider burden, and costs of unnecessary evaluation of enlarged nodes in the setting of recent vaccination, and 2) avoid further delays in vaccinations and breast cancer screening during the pandemic.

 

Related Medical Imaging of COVID Content:

COVID-19 Vaccination Axillary Adenopathy Detected During Breast Imaging

CMS Now Requires COVID-19 Vaccinations for Healthcare Workers by January 4

PHOTO GALLERY: How COVID-19 Appears on Medical Imaging

VIDEO: Imaging COVID-19 With Point-of-Care Ultrasound (POCUS) — Interview with Mike Stone, M.D.

VIDEO: Use of Teleradiology During the COVID-19 Pandemic — Interview with John Kim, M.D.

Find more radiology related COVID content 

 

Reference:

1. Constance D. Lehman, Leslie R. Lamb, and Helen Anne D'Alessandro. Mitigating the Impact of Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) Vaccinations on Patients Undergoing Breast Imaging Examinations: A Pragmatic Approach American Journal of Roentgenology. 10.2214/AJR.21.25688

 

 

Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) | March 19, 2021

Darryl B. Sneag, M.D., a radiologist and director of peripheral nerve MRI at the Hospital for Special Surgery (HSS) in New York City, explains how artificial intelligence (AI) magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) reconstruction algorithms have cut imaging times by 50 percent. This has enabled his facility to maintain the same number of patients as it did prior to the pandemic, while still having time to sterilize the scanners after each patient. 

Many radiology departments are now experiencing a backlog of cases due to COVID-19 shutdowns in 2020 and the limits on the number of patients that can be in the hospital for imaging exams due to pandemic containment precautions. Sneag said AI is now playing a role in helping streamline workflow.

HSS has 19 GE Healthcare MRI scanners and uses the Air Recon DL AI image reconstruction algorithm. This allows for shorter scan times, so the same number of patients as pre-pandemic can be imaged per day, even with deeper cleaning of the MRI bore. Sneag explains the algorithm has greatly helped with patient throughput, but the trade off is sometimes getting a ringing artifact on images.

HSS also uses GE's Air Coil flexible pad MRI coils. These can wrap around the patient to improve comfort and get the coils closer to the anatomy being imaged.

 

Related MRI and COVID Content:

Business During COVID-19 and Beyond

Imaging Volumes Hold Steady Post COVID-19 Closures

GE Healthcare Addresses Growing Radiology Data Challenges at RSNA 2019

Technology is Driving the MRI Market

VIDEO: How to Image COVID-19 and Radiological Presentations of the Virus

Top Trend Takeaways in Radiology From RSNA 2020

Post-COVID Pain or Weakness? Request an Ultrasound or MRI

Find more COVID radiology-related content

 

Coronavirus (COVID-19) | November 15, 2020

Margarita Revzin, M.D., MS, FSRU, FAIUM, associate professor of radiology and biomedical imaging, Yale University School of Medicine, abdominal and emergency imaging, radiologist, explains how different medical imaging modalities are used to image manifestations of the COVID-19 (SARS-CoV-2) virus in patients. She is the lead author on a two-part article in the RSNA journal Radiographics that provides a comprehensive overview of coronavirus imaging. 

The articles offer numerous case images from X-ray, ultrasound, computed tomography (CT), and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Revzin also discusses some of the radiology presentations and complications of the virus and which modalities can best image these features. Here are links to the two articles:

Manifestations of COVID-19, Part 1: Viral Pathogenesis and Pulmonary and Vascular System Complications. 

Multisystem Imaging Manifestations of COVID-19, Part 2: From Cardiac Complications to Pediatric Manifestations

Although COVID-19 predominantly affects the respiratory system, other organs can also be involved. The authors of the articles said imaging plays an essential role in the diagnosis of all manifestations of the disease, as well as its related complications, and proper utilization and interpretation of imaging examinations is crucial. As the virus continues to spread, a comprehensive understanding of the diagnostic imaging hallmarks, imaging features, multisystemic involvement, and evolution of imaging findings is essential for effective patient management and treatment. Only a few articles had been published that comprehensively describe the multisystemic imaging manifestations of COVID-19 prior to this article series, published in the fall of 2020. The authors provide an inclusive system-by-system image-based review of this life-threatening and rapidly spreading infection. In part 1 of this article, the authors discuss general aspects of the disease, with an emphasis on virology, the pathophysiology of the virus, and clinical presentation of the disease. Part 2 focuses on key imaging features of COVID-19 that involve the cardiac, neurologic, abdominal, dermatologic and ocular, and musculoskeletal systems, as well as pediatric and pregnancy-related manifestations of the virus.

Most of the images in the video are from the articles. Find more COVID medical imaging in the PHOTO GALLERY: How COVID-19 Appears on Medical Imaging.

VIDEO: Example of COVID Thrombosis on Ultrasound Imaging

 

Coronavirus (COVID-19) | February 09, 2021

Margarita Revzin, M.D., MS, FSRU, FAIUM, associate professor of radiology and biomedical imaging, Yale University School of Medicine, abdominal and emergency imaging, radiologist,  explains how different medical imaging modalities are used to image manifestations of the COVID-19 (SARS-CoV-2) virus in patients. She is the lead author on a two-part article in the RSNA journal Radiographics that provides a comprehensive overview of coronavirus imaging.

The articles offer numerous case images from X-ray, ultrasound, computed tomography (CT), and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Revzin also discusses some of the radiology presentations and complications of the virus and which modalities can best image these features. Here are links to the two articles:

Manifestations of COVID-19, Part 1: Viral Pathogenesis and Pulmonary and Vascular System Complications. 

Multisystem Imaging Manifestations of COVID-19, Part 2: From Cardiac Complications to Pediatric Manifestations

Although COVID-19 predominantly affects the respiratory system, other organs can also be involved. The authors of the articles said imaging plays an essential role in the diagnosis of all manifestations of the disease, as well as its related complications, and proper utilization and interpretation of imaging examinations is crucial. As the virus continues to spread, a comprehensive understanding of the diagnostic imaging hallmarks, imaging features, multisystemic involvement, and evolution of imaging findings is essential for effective patient management and treatment. Only a few articles had been published that comprehensively describe the multisystemic imaging manifestations of COVID-19 prior to this article series, published in the fall of 2020. The authors provide an inclusive system-by-system image-based review of this life-threatening and rapidly spreading infection. In part 1 of this article, the authors discuss general aspects of the disease, with an emphasis on virology, the pathophysiology of the virus, and clinical presentation of the disease. Part 2 focuses on key imaging features of COVID-19 that involve the cardiac, neurologic, abdominal, dermatologic and ocular, and musculoskeletal systems, as well as pediatric and pregnancy-related manifestations of the virus

Most of the images in the video are from the articles. Find more COVID medical imaging in the PHOTO GALLERY: How COVID-19 Appears on Medical Imaging.

 

Related Medical Imaging of COVID Content:

VIDEO: What Does COVID-19 Look Like in Lung CT Scans 

PHOTO GALLERY: How COVID-19 Appears on Medical Imaging

VIDEO: Imaging COVID-19 With Point-of-Care Ultrasound (POCUS) — Interview with Mike Stone, M.D.

VIDEO: COVID Vaccine May Cause Enlarged Lymph Nodes on Mammograms — Interview with Constance "Connie" Lehman, M.D., Mass General Hospital

VIDEO: Use of Teleradiology During the COVID-19 Pandemic — Interview with John Kim, M.D.
 

VIDEO: Radiology Industry Responding to COVID-19 — Interview with Jeffrey Bundy, Ph.D.

CT in a Box Helps Rapidly Boost Imaging Capability at COVID Surge Hospitals

VIDEO: How China Leveraged Health IT to Combat COVID-19 — Interview with Jilan Liu, M.D.

Find more radiology related COVID content 

Coronavirus (COVID-19) | January 26, 2021

This is an example of a COVID-19 (SARS-CoV-2) positive patient's lung computed tomography (CT) scan. The video scrolls through the image slices of the scan and shows the typical white, ground glass opacities (GGO) caused by COVID pneumonia. The pneumonia typically appears along the walls of each lobe of the lung, especially the chest wall and the lower portions of the lungs. This scan is from a Canon Aquilion Prime SP CT scanner and used Advanced intelligent Clear-IQ Engine (AiCE), an artificial intelligence-driven image reconstruction software to improve image quality of lower-dose scans. This was shown by Canon Medical as an exmaple of CT image quality for the virus at the 2020 Radiological Society of North American (RSNA) meeting. 

Read more about this system and its launch in 2020 to address COVID, Canon Medical Launches CT Solution for Patients with Viral Infectious Diseases.

VIDEO: How to Image COVID-19 and Radiological Presentations of the Virus interview with Margarita Revzin, M.D., associate professor of radiology and biomedical imaging, Yale School of Medicine.

Find more radiology clinical images of coronavirus in this photo gallery.

Find more radiology related COVID news and video

PET-CT | December 04, 2020

This is an example of Canon's Advanced intelligent Clear-IQ Engine (AiCE) AI-driven image reconstruction software that is now being used to improve image quality on the Canon Celesteion Prime PET/CT nuclear imaging system. The deep learning is used to enhance the iterative reconstruction used to reduce noise and sharped high contrast resolution on positron emission tomography (PET) images from the digital PET detector used on the system. 

This example is a whole-body FGD PET scan of a patient with a large BMI with lung cancer.

The Cartesion Prime PET/CT is the industry’s only air-cooled digital PET/CT, provides variable bed time (vBT) acquisition as a standard feature. This and the new FDA 510(k)-pending AiCE technology were highlighted at the 2020 Radiological Society of North America (RSNA) virtual meeting. 

Find more RSNA news

 

Artificial Intelligence | December 02, 2020

Kirti Magudia, M.D., Ph.D., an abdominal imaging and ultrasound fellow at the University of California San Francisco, explains how an automated deep learning analysis of abdominal computed tomography (CT) images can produce a more precise measurement of body composition and better predicts major cardiovascular events, such as heart attack and stroke, better than overall weight or body mass index (BMI). This was according to a study she presented at the 2020 Radiological Society of North America (RSNA) virtual meeting.

Unlike BMI, which is based on height and weight, a single axial CT slice of the abdomen visualizes the volume of subcutaneous fat area, visceral fat area and skeletal muscle area. However, manually measuring these individual areas is time intensive and costly. A multidisciplinary team of researchers, including radiologists, a data scientist and biostatistician, developed a fully automated artificial intelligence (AI) method to determine body composition metrics from abdominal CT images.

Statistical analysis demonstrated that visceral fat area was independently associated with future heart attack and stroke. BMI was not associated with heart attack or stroke. 

Read more about this study

Find more RSNA news

Information Technology | December 01, 2020

Treating cancer effectively often includes a combination of patient therapies. In recent years, technology advancements have led to a more efficient and personalized approach to treatment. Andrew Wilson, President of Oncology Informatics at Elekta, discussed the latest software advancements with ITN.

Remote Viewing Systems | November 28, 2020

Konica Minolta’s theme for RSNA 2020 is Depth of Vision. ITN recently talked with David Widmann, President and CEO of Konica Minolta Healthcare Americas, about this focus and their key messages for customers and RSNA attendees.

X-Ray | November 28, 2020

Agfa is looking to transform X-ray with new advancements in volumetric imaging, and with new mobile concepts and implementation of intelligent tools. ITN had a conversation with Georges Espada on Transforming X-ray with Intelligent Tools. 

Enterprise Imaging | November 23, 2020

Fujifilm's next generation secure server-side viewer platform extends across enterprise imaging areas to bring together radiology, mammography and cardiology into a single zero footprint platform. Bill Lacy, vice president of medical informatics for Fujifilm Medical Systems USA recently talked with ITN about their Synapse 7x platform.

Coronavirus (COVID-19) | November 20, 2020

This video shows a computed tomography (CT) scroll through showing bowel ischemia and perforation (see arrows) due to superior mesenteric artery (SMA) thrombus in COVID-19 (SARS-CoV-2) patient. Mesenteric artery thrombosis (MAT) is a condition involving occlusion of the arterial vascular supply of the intestinal system and is a severe and potentially fatal illness. 

Superior mesenteric artery thrombosis (Red arrow) complicated by bowel ischemia and perforation in a 54-year-old man who presented to the emergency department with abdominal pain and was diagnosed with COVID-19. Contrast-enhanced CT images of the abdomen and pelvis show mucosal hyperenhancement involving the small bowel (green arrows).

Read more in the article Multisystem Imaging Manifestations of COVID-19, Part 1: Viral Pathogenesis and Pulmonary and Vascular System Complications.

Case example from Margarita Revzin, M.D., associate professor of radiology and biomedical imaging, Yale School of Medicine.

VIDEO: How to Image COVID-19 and Radiological Presentations of the Virus — Interview with Margarita Revzin, M.D.,

See more medical imaging of COVID-19 in the photo gallery How COVID-19 Appears on Medical Imaging.

 

Related COVID Radiology Content:

VIDEO: COVID-19 Pneumonia Chest CT Scan Scroll Through

CT Imaging of the 2019 Novel Coronavirus (2019-nCoV) Pneumonia

Chest CT Can Distinguish Negative From Positive Lab Results for COVID-19

VIDEO: CT Sees Increased Use During COVID-19

Handheld Ultrasound Used to Monitor COVID-19 Patients With Cardiac Complications

Study Looks at CT Findings of COVID-19 Through Recovery

Using Lung X-rays to Diagnose COVID-19

VIDEO: Use of Teleradiology During the COVID-19 Pandemic — Interview with John Kim, M.D.
 

 

 

Artificial Intelligence | November 11, 2020

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is becoming more common place in radiology practices, and emerging technologies are providing radiologists with sophisticated detection software to aid their reading and provide support for a busy workflow. With the progression of AI technology, vendors must look not only at what AI can do for the radiologist, but how the radiologist and the technician interact with that technology –  the goal should be increasing accuracy while also positively improving workflow. GE Healthcare is working to improve radiology AI workflow in its Centricity Universal Viewer.

Three key opinion leaders offers their views on what is needed to make AI more valauble and accessible to radiologists. These include:

   • Amy Patel, M.D., breast radiologist, medical director, Liberty Hospital Women's Imaging, assistant professor of radiology, University of Missouri-Kansas City.

   • Prof. Dr. Thomas Frauenfelder, M.D., vice chairman and professor of thoracic radiology, Institute for Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, University of Zurich.

   • Randy Hicks, M.D., chief executive officer, Regional Medical Imaging.

 

Learn more about the Centricity Universal Viewer in the VIDEO: How GE Healthcare’s Zero Footprint Remote Image Viewer Supports Clinical Care

 

 

 

 

 

Artificial Intelligence | October 26, 2020

GE Healthcare is highlighting artificial intelligence (AI) automation features on its Voluson Swift ultrasound platform at the 2020 Radiological Society of North America (RSNA) virtual meeting. Features of this system include semi-automated contouring, auto identification of fetal anatomy and positioning on imaging, 

The new SonoLyst AI software can auto recognize 20 standard fetal views in the second trimester protocol. The goal is to speed exam times and make the exams more accurate, even for less experienced sonographers. The AI can tell users what any image is when they freeze the frame. This can be used to help cue up measurements and appropriate annotations. The AI also can tell th user if all the required anatomical structures are in an image needed for the exam protocols.
 

Find more RSNA news and video

MRI Breast | October 14, 2020

Professor Christiane Kuhl, M.D., director of radiology, University Hospital Aachen, Germany, explains how breast magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) can be used to clearly identify breast cancers in women with dense breast tissue. In women with dense breasts, it can be very difficult to detect many cancers on standard mammograms because the cancers and dense tissue both appear white. MRI can help clearly define tumors and identify which nodules are cancer and which are benign, which can help greatly reduce the need for biopsies.

Kuhl is an expert in breast imaging and breast MRI. She helped develop an a shortened MRI protocol that allows breast MR images to be created in 3 minutes or less, rather than standard protocols that can take up to 30 minutes. In the interview she shows patient case examples of standard mammograms and the MRI supplemental imaging for the same patient to show the hidden tumors. 

She also explains the differences between standard 2-d mammography, the current standard of care, and the newer 3-D mammogram tomosythnesis technology, breast ultrasound and breast MRI technologies.

Other video interviews with Dr. Kuhl:

VIDEO: Explaining Dense Breasts

VIDEO: The Impact of COVID-19 on Breast Imaging

 

Related Breast MRI Content:

Abbreviated MRI Outperforms 3-D Mammograms at Finding Cancer in Dense Breasts

VIDEO: Explaining Dense Breasts — Interview with Christiane Kuhl, M.D.

VIDEO: Use of Breast MRI Improved Cancer Detection in Dense Breasts in Dutch Study — Interview with Gillian Newstead, M.D.

Technologies to Watch in Breast Imaging

Screening MRI Detects BI-RADS 3 Breast Cancer in High-risk Patients

Rapid Breast MRI Screening Improves Cancer Detection in Dense Breasts

Breast MRI in Cancer Diagnosis
 

Coronavirus (COVID-19) | October 14, 2020

Professor Christiane Kuhl, M.D., director of radiology, University Hospital Aachen, Germany, explains how the COVID-19 (SARS-CoV-2) pandemic has impacted screening mammography and raised fears there will be a large increase in more advanced breast cancer cases in the near future as sizable numbers of women skip their annual exams this year. Kuhl also explains the COVID safety protocols most breast imaging centers are taking to limit any potential exposure to the virus from asymptomatic patients.

Other video interviews with Dr. Kuhl:

VIDEO: Explaining Dense Breasts

VIDEO: Use of Breast MRI Screening in Women With Dense Breasts

 

How COVID Has Disrupted Screening Mammography and The Urgency to Resume Screenings:

Breast Imaging in the Age of Coronavirus

Half of Breast Cancer Survivors Had Delays in Care Due to COVID-19

Insight on the Impact of COVID-19 on Medical Imaging

Delay in Breast Cancer Operations Appears Non Life-threatening for Early-stage Disease

Hologic and Sheryl Crow Begin Back to Screening Campaign

A Slow Return to Normalcy in Breast Imaging

Breast Density | October 13, 2020

Professor Christiane Kuhl, M.D., director of radiology, University Hospital Aachen, Germany, explains what it means to have dense breasts and how density can hide cancers in mammograms. She offers an explanation describing dense breast tissue and that this occurs in about half of women. Density is itself a risk factor for breast cancer and the fact that dense tissue hides cancers on mammography means that supplemental imaging is needed to accurately diagnose these patients and avoid false positives, or needless tissue biopsies. Breast ultrasound and breast magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) can be used to see through dense tissue to better identify cancers and avoid the need for many biopsies.

Other video interviews with Dr. Kuhl:

VIDEO: Use of Breast MRI Screening in Women With Dense Breasts

VIDEO: The Impact of COVID-19 on Breast Imaging

 

Related Dense Breast Content:

Breast Density Explained

Animation to Bring Clarity to Dense Breasts

Improving Clinical Image Quality for Breast Imaging

Breast Imaging in the Age of Coronavirus

Abbreviated MRI Outperforms 3-D Mammograms at Finding Cancer in Dense Breasts

VIDEO: Use of Breast MRI Improved Cancer Detection in Dense Breasts in Dutch Study — Interview with Gillian Newstead, M.D.

Technologies to Watch in Breast Imaging

Screening MRI Detects BI-RADS 3 Breast Cancer in High-risk Patients

 

Artificial Intelligence | September 25, 2020

Ernest Garcia, Ph.D., MASNC, FAHA, endowed professor in cardiac imaging, director of nuclear cardiology R&D laboratory, Emory University, developer of the Emory Cardiac Tool Box used in nuclear imaging and past-president of the American Society of Nuclear Cardiology (ASNC), explains the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in cardiac imaging. He said there is a tsunami of new AI applications that are starting to flood the FDA for market approval, and there are several examples of AI already in use in radiology. He spoke on this topic in a keynote session at the 2020 ASNC meeting.

 

Related Artificial Intelligence in Cardiology Content:

VIDEO: Machine Learning for Diagnosis and Risk Prediction in Nuclear Cardiology — Interview with Piotr J. Slomka, Ph.D.,

Artificial Intelligence Applications in Cardiology

VIDEO: Artificial Intelligence May Improve Cath Lab Interventions — Interview with Nick West, M.D., Abbott CMO

How Artificial Intelligence Will Change Medical Imaging

VIDEO: Artificial Intelligence for Echocardiography at Mass General — Interview with Judy Hung, M.D.

VIDEO: ACC Efforts to Advance Evidence-based Implementation of AI in Cardiovascular Care — Interview with John Rumsfeld, M.D.

VIDEO: Overview of Artificial Intelligence and its Use in Cardiology — Interview with Anthony Chang, M.D.

For more AI in cardiology content

Coronavirus (COVID-19) | September 15, 2020

Case is a 6-month-old infant boy admitted to hospital due to respiratory distress then worsened by a pericardial effusion and solitary kidney and renal failure. Diagnosed as multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C) due to COVID-19 exposure. Cardiac ultrasound case submitted to ITN by Mohamed Shahwan, European Gaza Hospital. 

 

Related Content on MIS-C:

Kawasaki-like Inflammatory Disease Affects Children With COVID-19

Case Study Describes One of the First U.S. Cases of MIS-C

NIH-funded Project Wants to Identify Children at Risk for MIS-C From COVID-19

New Study Looks at Post-COVID-19 Emerging Disease in Children

Cardiac MRI Aids Evaluation of Children With Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome (MIS-C) Associated With COVID-19

The Cardiovascular Impact of COVID-19

Remote Viewing Systems | September 09, 2020

Enterprise viewers are designed to provide fast and easy access to a patient’s imaging history, and today’s modern healthcare systems require a clinical viewer capable of meeting the diverse needs of a large group of users. GE Healthcare’s Zero Footprint Viewer can quickly and easily display digital images, video clips and cine loops from any department and on many different devices.

It provides access to images and reports from anywhere, whether it’s on the hospital floor, in surgery, in clinic or at home, to allow clinicians to access and develop clinical insights that deliver patient results and drive operational efficiencies.

Learn more at https://www.gehealthcare.com/products/healthcare-it/enterprise-imaging/centricity-universal-viewer-zero-footprint

Ultrasound Imaging | August 13, 2020

This is a tutorial video on how to perform an artificial intelligence (AI) automated cardiac ejection fraction measurement using the GE Healthcare Vscan Extend point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) system and the LVivo EF app, developed and licensed by DiA Imaging Analysis. This FDA-cleared app enables an automated edge detection of left ventricular endocardium and calculates end-diastolic, end-systolic volumes and ejection fraction, using apical 4-chamber view.

the LVivo EF app was showcased by GE Healthcare in its virtual booth at the American Society of Echocardiography (ASE) 2020 virtual meeting. POCUS imaging has emerged as a primary imaging modality for bedside assessment of COVID-19 patients in 2020.

 

Related ASE News and POCUS Content:

VIDEO: Automated Cardiac Ejection Fraction for Point-of-care-ultrasound Using Artificial Intelligence

LVivo EF Comparable to MRI, Contrast Echo in Assessing Ejection Fraction

GE Highlights New Echocardiography Technologies at ASE 2020

Other ASE news and video

Cardiac Imaging | August 12, 2020

Advanced visualization company Medis recently purchased Advanced Medical Imaging Development S.r.l. (AMID), which developed software to automatically track and measure strain in echocardiograms. That technology is now being adapted for strain imaging in CT and MRI. Using this imaging data, the software also can noninvasively derive pressure gradient loops and curves, similar to using invasive pulmonary arterial (PA) hemodynamic pressure catheters. This information is useful in monitoring critically ill patients on hemodynamic support and to monitor worsening severity of heart failure. 

The technology was discussed at the 2020 Society of Cardiovascular Computed Tomography (SCCT) virtual meeting. Examples of this technology are presented in this video. 
 

Find more news and video from SCCT 2020

VIDEO: Photon Counting Detectors Will be the Next Major Advance in Computed Tomography

Computed Tomography (CT) | August 12, 2020

 

Todd Villines, M.D., FACC, FAHA, MSCCT, said photon counting CT detectors were a key new technology discussed at the Society of Cardiovascular Computed Tomography (SCCT) 2020 virtual meeting. He said the technology will likely replace conventional CT detectors in the next decade. Advantages of photon counting detectors include the ability to enhance image quality at the detector level with much clearer details than conventional CT technology.

These new detectors also can take a single scan and bin the various energies to reconstruct a range of mono-energtic scan renderings similar to dual-energy CT, but on a wider spectrum of kV levels. This spectral aspect of photon counting also allows material decomposition based on the chemical elements that make up various materials in the scan, including calcium and metals that make up stents, orthopedic implants and replacement heart valves. This enables easier, automated removal of metal blooming artifacts and the ability to clearly image inside calcified arteries.

Villines is the Julian Ruffin Beckwith Professor of Medicine, Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, University of Virginia, editor-in-chief of the Journal of Cardiovascular CT (JCCT),  and SCCT past-president.

 

Other Key Trends and CT Technology at SCCT:

Top 9 Cardiovascular CT Studies in Past Year 

VIDEO: Increased Use of Cardiac CT During the COVID-19 Pandemic

VIDEO: Coronary Plaque Quantification Will Become Major Risk Assessment

VIDEO: Key Cardiac CT Papers Presented at SCCT 2020

Low-attenuation Coronary Plaque Burden May Become Next Big Cardiac Risk Assessment

Impact of Cardiac CT During COVID-19

VIDEO: Artificial Intelligence to Automate CT Calcium Scoring and Radiomics

 

 

 

Artificial Intelligence | August 12, 2020

Todd Villines, M.D., FACC, FAHA, MSCCT, explains how artificial intelligence (AI) might be used in the near future to automatically calculate CT calcium scoring and and radiomic feature assessments. This was a key take away during the Society of Cardiovascular Computed Tomography (SCCT) 2020 virtual meeting. 

Villines is the Julian Ruffin Beckwith Professor of Medicine, Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, University of Virginia, editor-in-chief of the Journal of Cardiovascular CT (JCCT),  and SCCT past-president.

AI is already commercially used to improve CT image reconstruction to increase the diagnostic quality of the images, especially from low-dose scans. AI is now being applied to automate time-consuming tasks in CT image reads, such as manually calculated calcium scores and automated contouring and quantification of anatomy and function of the heart.

Another area that is seeing a lot of research in in radiomics, where AI is being used to sift through thousands of CT scans to look for subtle imaging traits that may indicate the early development or worsening of disease. These subtle changes may not be evident to radiologists reading the scans, but AI software can identify similarities in patients as a trend and alert researchers to look at that specific trait as a potential imaging biomarker.

 

Other Key Trends and Technology at SCCT:

Top 9 Cardiovascular CT Studies in Past Year 

VIDEO: Photon Counting Detectors Will be the Next Major Advance in Computed Tomography

VIDEO: Increased Use of Cardiac CT During the COVID-19 Pandemic

VIDEO: Coronary Plaque Quantification Will Become Major Risk Assessment

VIDEO: Key Cardiac CT Papers Presented at SCCT 2020

Low-attenuation Coronary Plaque Burden May Become Next Big Cardiac Risk Assessment

Impact of Cardiac CT During COVID-19

 

Computed Tomography (CT) | August 11, 2020

Todd Villines, M.D., FACC, FAHA, MSCCT, explains some of more influential cardiac CT clinical papers from the past year at the Society of Cardiovascular Computed Tomography (SCCT) 2020 virtual meeting. Among these were the ISCHEMIA Trial, others showing the value of CT is assessing chest pain patients and its ability to act as a gate keeper to the cath lab, and the 2019 European Society of Cardiology (ESC) guidelines that now list cardiac as a preferred imaging modality.

Villines is the Julian Ruffin Beckwith Professor of Medicine, Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, University of Virginia, editor-in-chief of the Journal of Cardiovascular CT (JCCT), and SCCT past-president.

 

Other Key Trends and CT Technology at SCCT:

Top 9 Cardiovascular CT Studies in Past Year 

VIDEO: Photon Counting Detectors Will be the Next Major Advance in Computed Tomography

VIDEO: Increased Use of Cardiac CT During the COVID-19 Pandemic

VIDEO: Coronary Plaque Quantification Will Become Major Risk Assessment

Low-attenuation Coronary Plaque Burden May Become Next Big Cardiac Risk Assessment

Impact of Cardiac CT During COVID-19

VIDEO: Artificial Intelligence to Automate CT Calcium Scoring and Radiomics

 

CT Angiography (CTA) | August 11, 2020

Todd Villines, M.D., FACC, FAHA, MSCCT, explains how coronary plaque assessment will become a new risk assessment tool in cardiac CT. This was a key take away during the Society of Cardiovascular Computed Tomography (SCCT) 2020 virtual meeting in July. He is the Julian Ruffin Beckwith Professor of Medicine, Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, University of Virginia; editor-in-chief of the Journal of Cardiovascular CT (JCCT), and SCCT past-president. 

While basic plaque assessments have been available for several years on CT vendor and third-party advanced visualization software, it lacked automation standardization for what various values meant and clinical evidence it was relevant. However, several speakers in SCCT sessions said that is now changing, with more specific analysis being tested clinically and automation using artificial intelligence. 

Several key opinion leaders in cardiac CT said this new information and automation lwill likely lead to a revision of the current CAD-RADS scoring system used by radiologists and cardiologists when assessing the coronary event risk of patients. They are calling for the new CAD-RADS 2.0 to include a detailed plaque assessment.  

 

Other Key Trends and CT Technology at SCCT:

Top 9 Cardiovascular CT Studies in Past Year 

VIDEO: Photon Counting Detectors Will be the Next Major Advance in Computed Tomography

VIDEO: Increased Use of Cardiac CT During the COVID-19 Pandemic

VIDEO: Coronary Plaque Quantification Will Become Major Risk Assessment

VIDEO: Key Cardiac CT Papers Presented at SCCT 2020

Impact of Cardiac CT During COVID-19

VIDEO: Artificial Intelligence to Automate CT Calcium Scoring and Radiomics

 

Computed Tomography (CT) | August 11, 2020

Todd Villines, M.D., FACC, FAHA, MSCCT, explains some of the discussion on CT used for COVID-19 patients at the Society of Cardiovascular Computed Tomography (SCCT) 2020 virtual meeting in July. He is the Julian Ruffin Beckwith Professor of Medicine, Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, University of Virginia; editor-in-chief of the Journal of Cardiovascular CT (JCCT), and SCCT past-president. 

Early on in the COVID-19 pandemic in China, CT emerged as a key imaging modality and was found to be able to detect COVID ground glass lesions in the lungs sometimes prior to positive genetic PCR test results. Supporters of CT say the modality offers a way to get detailed anatomical and functional information using a short exam time and limits the exposure of staff to potential or known COVID-19 positive patients.

One area where cardiac CT is seeing a lot of increased his is for the evaluation of thrombus in the left atrial appendage (LAA). This is traditionally done using trans esophageal echo (TEE), but it required very close contact with the patient and direct exposure of staff to bodily fluids and potential viral shed from the patient exhaling with each breath.

 

Related CT During COVID-19 Content:

Cardiac Imaging Best Practices During the COVID-19 Pandemic

VIDEO: CT and POCUS Emerge As Frontline Cardiac Imaging Modalities in COVID-19 Era — Interview with Geoffrey Rose, M.D.,

ASE Guidelines for the Protection of Echocardiography Providers During the COVID-19 Outbreak 

Study Looks at CT Findings of COVID-19 Through Recovery

Experts Stress Radiology Preparedness for COVID-19

ACR Recommendations for the Use of Chest Radiography and CT for Suspected COVID-19 Cases

 

Other Key Trends and CT Technology at SCCT:

Top 9 Cardiovascular CT Studies in Past Year 

VIDEO: Photon Counting Detectors Will be the Next Major Advance in Computed Tomography

VIDEO: Coronary Plaque Quantification Will Become Major Risk Assessment

VIDEO: Key Cardiac CT Papers Presented at SCCT 2020

Low-attenuation Coronary Plaque Burden May Become Next Big Cardiac Risk Assessment

Impact of Cardiac CT During COVID-19

VIDEO: Artificial Intelligence to Automate CT Calcium Scoring and Radiomics

Artificial Intelligence | July 31, 2020

Pooja Rao, Ph.D., co-founder of Qure.AI and head of research and development for the company, explains how the company's artificial intelligence (AI)-based auto detection software can be used to analyze radiology images. The vendor offers a U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-cleared emergency room computed tomography (CT) scan automated AI analysis tool to immediately identify areas of suspected intracranial bleeds and cranial fractures. The software offers immediate feedback for suspected areas of interest for the attending physician or stat read radiologist. This can enable faster diagnosis and treatment in neuro imaging cases, especially in meeting door to TPA time in patients with ischemic stroke.

Qure.AI also developed AI-based lung analysis software to detect a variety of abnormalities, which is working its way through FDA review. It is being used in some developing countries for mobile lung screening programs in remote areas. The vendor developed a self-contained unit for the AI to work without a PACS system or internet connection so there is immediate feedback on the image if someone may be positive. This greatly reduces the complexities of patient call backs in low-income areas that might be without out phones or web connectivity for followup. Rao explains how the technology is being implemented in this use case. AI might have its greatest impact on developing countries that do not have adequate healthcare resources of doctors.

qER detects and prioritizes scans containing Intracranial bleeds, cranial fractures, mass effect and midline shift. Image markings, bleed subtypes and labels are not available in the United States.

Related Radiology AI Related Content:

Qure.ai Receives Industry's First 4-in-1 FDA Clearance for Medical Imaging AI

Technology Report: Artificial Intelligence at RSNA 2019

The Radiology AI Evolution at RSNA 2019

Artificial Intelligence Pinpoints Nine Different Abnormalities in Head Scans

Nanox Partners With Qure.ai to Integrate AI-based Algorithms for Medical Imaging

Qure.ai Launches Solutions to Help Tackle COVID19
 

Contrast Media Injectors | May 22, 2020

At this year’s RSNA ITN sat down with Dennis Durmis, Senior Vice President, Bayer Radiology to discuss Radiology trends. Discussion topics centered around three key areas where Bayer Radiology is responding to trends; including digitalization, workflow efficiencies and efforts to bring more focus to the Radiology patient experience. During the interview Dennis discussed Bayer’s digital strategy, features and benefits of their new injector, the MEDRAD® Stellant FLEX Injector and Bayer’s education efforts of the imaging needs of women with Dense Breast.

Coronavirus (COVID-19) | May 07, 2020

Interview with Geoffrey Rose, M.D., president of Sanger Heart and Vascular Institute with Atrium Health, in Charlotte, North Carolina, and a board member with the American Society of Echocardiography (ASE). He explains the impact if COVID-19 (SARS-CoV-2) on the cardiovascular service line and cardiac imaging. He said the virus has led to use of computed tomography (CT) not only as the frontline cardiovascular imaging modality to evaluate chest pain, but also for COVID-19 pneumonia imaging.

Rose said cardiac ultrasound is still used, but requires full personal protective equipment (PPE) and often abbreviated exams because of the close proximity of the sonographer and patient when performing echocardiograms. This has given rise to using dedicated point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) systems to answer specific clinical questions quickly. Smart-phone based POCUS systems that use an app and a transducer plugged into the phone enable basic echo exams or evaluation of other parts of the anatomy quickly without the need to immediately sterilize an entire cart-based ultrasound system. These small systems also can be completely enclosed inside a transducer sheath and the phone and single transducer are much easier and faster to wipe down. He said the quality of the exams are not as good as fully enabled echocardiography systems, but it allows for quick assessments of ejection fractions and to triage if the patient needs more advanced imaging if the basic questions cannot be answered.

Since hospitals have shut down now for about two months, postponing normal checkups, and elective exams and procedures, Rose said doctors still need to visit with patients who have chronic conditions. Sanger and Atrium Heath modified its ambulatory electronic medical record (EMR) and is using video conferencing to perform virtual appointments now for the majority of these patients. He said telemedicine was not widely used before COVID-19 in his hospital system, but the pandemic will likely alter the care model for the future, with more telemedicine visits being used even after epidemic is over. He said use of POCUS and CT as frontline cardiac imaging modalities will also likely remain in place after the pandemic because of the efficiencies in care these technologies offer.

 

Related Coronavirus Content:

VIDEO: Imaging COVID-19 With Point-of-Care Ultrasound (POCUS)

Cardiac Imaging Best Practices During the COVID-19 Pandemic

RSNA Publishes COVID-19 Best Practices for Radiology Departments

ASE Guidelines for the Protection of Echocardiography Providers During the COVID-19 Outbreak
 

New CT Scoring Criteria for Timely Diagnosis, Treatment of Coronavirus Disease

FDA Issues New Policy for Imaging Systems During COVID-19

VIDEO: COVID-19 Precautions for Cardiac Imaging —  Interview with Stephen Bloom, M.D.

A Review of Studies Cautions Against Chest CT for Coronavirus Diagnosis

 

New Research Finds Chest X-ray Not Reliable Diagnostic Tool for COVID-19

VIDEO: Radiology Industry Responding to COVID-19

 

University of Washington Issues Radiology Policies for COVID-19

VIDEO: Best Practices for Nuclear Cardiology During the COVID-19 Pandemic — Interview with Hicham Skali, M.D.

New Research Highlights Blood Clot Dangers of COVID-19

Survey Reveals Most Medical Practices are Now Using Telehealth Due to COVID-19

 

CMS Offers Recommendations on Reopening Healthcare in Areas of Low COVID-19 Cases

CT Provides Best Diagnosis for Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19)

Radiology Lessons for Coronavirus From the SARS and MERS Epidemics

Radiologists Describe Coronavirus CT Imaging Features

 

CT Imaging of the 2019 Novel Coronavirus (2019-nCoV) Pneumonia

ACC COVID-19 recommendations for the cardiovascular care team

VIDEO: What Cardiologists Need to Know about COVID-19 — Interview with Thomas Maddox, M.D.

The Cardiac Implications of Novel Coronavirus

Coronavirus (COVID-19) | April 18, 2020

Stephen Bloom, M.D., FASNC, director of noninvasive cardiology (cardiac CT, nuclear cardiology and echocardiography) at Midwest Heart and Vascular Associates, Overland Park, Kansas. He is also a member of the American Society of Nuclear Cardiology (ASNC) Board of Directors, explains some of the issues involved and protocols used for cardiac imaging during the COVID-19 pandemic. His discussion includes computed tomography, cardiac ultrasound and nuclear imaging.

Right now, Bloom said it is difficult to test everybody and there is a shortage of masks, gowns and other personal protective equipment (PPE), and the imaging equipment needs to be sanitized each time it is used. He said it is just is not possible to image all the patients who need imaging right now. Hospitals also are trying to limit the number of healthy people people coming into hospitals for routine visits and tests to reduce their potential exposure to the novel coronavirus (COVID-19, SARS-CoV-2) and help containment efforts. 

"The tests should be done, very simply, if it changes the care of the patient. If it doesn't change the care of the patient, and it can be postponed, it should be postponed," Bloom explained. "I would say 80 percent of our cardiac imaging exams have stopped. It has been very dramatic."

 

Related Imaging Precautions During COVID-19 Content:

Cardiac Imaging Best Practices During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Best Practices for Nuclear Cardiology Laboratories During the Coronavirus (COVID-19) Pandemic

ASE Guidelines for the Protection of Echocardiography Providers During the COVID-19 Outbreak 

VIDEO: Best Practices for Nuclear Cardiology During the COVID-19 Pandemic — Interview with Hicham Skali, M.D.

VIDEO: Cancelling Non-essential Cardiac Procedures During the COVID-19 Outbreak — Interview with Ehtisham Mahmud, M.D. 

VIDEO: 9 Cardiologists Share COVID-19 Takeaways From Across the U.S.  

VIDEO: Telemedicine in Cardiology and Medical Imaging During COVID-19 — Interview with Regina Druz, M.D.

VIDEO: Use of Teleradiology During the COVID-19 Pandemic — an interview with radiologist John Kim, M.D.

Study Looks at CT Findings of COVID-19 Through Recovery

Experts Stress Radiology Preparedness for COVID-19

VIDEO: Imaging COVID-19 With Point-of-Care Ultrasound (POCUS) — Interview with emergency physician Mike Stone, M.D.,

VIDEO: How China Leveraged Health IT to Combat COVID-19 — Interview with Jilan Liu, M.D., CEO for the HIMSS Greater China

ACR Recommendations for the Use of Chest Radiography and CT for Suspected COVID-19 Cases

VIDEO: What Cardiologists Need to Know about COVID-19 — Interview with Thomas Maddox, M.D.

The Cardiac Implications of Novel Coronavirus

Computed Tomography (CT) | April 09, 2020

Jeffrey Bundy, Ph.D., chief executive officer, United Imaging in the United States, explains the company's efforts to respond to the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic in the U.S., Europe and China. The company is putting its first semi-trailer based computed tomography (CT) system into service at a hospital in New York City.

United Imaging began working on new solutions for the U.S. after getting requests from its customers and seeing the needs in China and Europe. The company is collaborating with different vendors, including Sea Box and AMST to build both semi-truck trailer CT scanning rooms and those built into customized shipping containers. Other vendors are helping with infection control, ventilation, and easier cleaning/disinfection to help protect healthcare workers and patients.

The first transportable CT scanner was installed at the request of Maimonides Medical Center, the largest hospital in Brooklyn, New York, on the front lines of the current crisis. As the hospital scales its operations to meet the needs of an expected influx of coronavirus patients, doubling its capacity to 1,400 beds, United Imaging’s scanner will help expand its capacity for imaging studies to support diagnosis and treatment.

United Imaging Confirms Rapid Deployment of Transportable CT Scanners

United Imaging Sends Out More than 100 CT Scanners and X-ray Machines to Aid Diagnosis of the Coronavirus

 

 

Coronavirus (COVID-19) | April 04, 2020

Hicham Skali, M.D., a staff cardiologist and member of the Non-invasive Cardiovascular Imaging Program at Brigham and Women’s Hospital (BWH), and at Brigham and Women’s / Massachusetts General Health Care Center at Foxborough, explains the new recommendations from the American Society of Nuclear Cardiology (ASNC) and from imagers in China and Singapore. The ASNC created a best practices document for nuclear cardiology laboratories during the novel coronavirus (COVID-19, SARS-CoV-2) pandemic. The suggestions in the guidelines can ally to any imaging modality, including computed tomography (CT), MRI and ultrasound. 

Skali elaborates on the following points in his discussion, which are specific recommendations in the ASNC and SNMMI COVID-19 guidance document:
   • Rescheduling non-urgent visits
   • Rescheduling elective surgeries and procedures
   • Using separate spaces for patients with known or suspected COVID-19 to prevent spread
   • Ensuring supplies are available
   • Promoting use of telehealth
   • Screen staff, patients and visitors before they enter the department
   • Minimize non-essential visitors into the department
   • Record symptoms at the start of the shift
   • Use personal protective equipment (PPE)for healthcare personnel
   • If available, use PPE for patients due to concern of asymptomatic transmission of COVID-19
   • Maintain strict hand hygiene
   • Maintain 6 feet distance in all patient/staff interactions when possible
   • Work remotely whenever feasible, especially with ready studies
   • Rotating staff schedules for on-site and off-site work
   • Use of rest only studies if possible
   • Use of half-time SPECT to speed exam times
   • Use of PET if available to speed exam times

Skali served as the moderator in for the ASNC on demand webinar COVID-19 Preparedness for Nuclear Cardiology Labs: Insights from the US, China and Singapore.

VIDEO: Telemedicine in Cardiology and Medical Imaging During COVID-19 — Interview with Regina Druz, M.D., an ASNC Board member and also a speaker during the ASNC webinar.

Find more news and video on relating to COVID-19 and its impact on radiology

Coronavirus (COVID-19) | March 27, 2020

Regina Druz, M.D., FASNC, a member of the American Society of Nuclear Cardiology (ASNC) Board of Directors, chairwomen of the American College of Cardiology (ACC) Healthcare Innovation Section, and a cardiologist at Integrative Cardiology Center of Long Island, N.Y., explains the rapid expansion of telemedicine with the U.S. spread of novel coronavirus (COVID-19, SARS-CoV-2).

Druz spoke on the unprecedented expansion of telemedicine in the U.S. under COVID-19, seeing more use in the last two months, as opposed to the past two decades. The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) previously only reimbursed for Telehealth in rural areas it determined had a shortage of doctors. However, in early March 2020, CMS dropped the geographic requirements and allowed Telehealth usage across th country as a way to mitigate person-to-person contact and keep vulnerable, older patients at home for routine check ups with doctors.

Druz has subspecialty certifications in nuclear cardiology, adult echocardiography and cardiac computed tomography (CT) and explains how Telehealth can be used to pre-screen patients and get patient sign off on procedures prior to coming in for an exam, helping speed the process in the hospital and limit personal contact.

Concerns about the rpaid spread of COVID-19 also has driven many radiology departments to convert to wider use of teleradiology to allow more radiologists to work from home and reduce person-to-person contact within the hospitals. 

Watch the related VIDEO: Use of Teleradiology During the COVID-19 Pandemic — an interview with John Kim, M.D., chairman, Department of Radiology, THR Presbyterian Plano, Texas, and chief technology officer at Texas Radiology Associates.

 

Related COVID-19 Content:

VIDEO: Imaging COVID-19 With Point-of-Care Ultrasound (POCUS) — Interview with emergency physician Mike Stone, M.D.,

VIDEO: How China Leveraged Health IT to Combat COVID-19 — Interview with Jilan Liu, M.D., CEO for the HIMSS Greater China

Study Looks at CT Findings of COVID-19 Through Recovery

Experts Stress Radiology Preparedness for COVID-19

ACR Recommendations for the Use of Chest Radiography and CT for Suspected COVID-19 Cases

VIDEO: What Cardiologists Need to Know about COVID-19 — Interview with Thomas Maddox, M.D.

The Cardiac Implications of Novel Coronavirus

 

 

 

Teleradiology | March 26, 2020

John Kim, M.D., chairman, Department of Radiology, THR Presbyterian Plano, Texas, and chief technology officer at Texas Radiology Associates, explains the use of teleradiology during the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak in the U.S. The radiology group is part of Collaborative Imaging, a radiologist owned teleradiology alliance that enables radiologists to read studies using secure web links and an app.

The rapid spread of coronavirus has increased the value telemedicine solutions to help prevent person-to-person contact and take some clinicians out of the hospitals to work at home or office locations. This includes the use of teleradiology tools to read images and communicate with referring physicians.

Telemedicine allows for the continuity of care within healthcare facilities and patients and allows for safe distance without sacrificing the quality of care. It also saves patients from spreading germs to others, like while on public transportation or in the doctor’s waiting room, and to the healthcare providers who tend to them. Televisits also only last an average of 10 minutes, allowing physicians to assess patients more quickly and easily. 

Ultrasound Imaging | March 20, 2020

Interview with Mike Stone, M.D., an emergency physician at Northwest Acute Care Specialists in Portland, Ore., director of point of care ultrasound education at Butterfly Network Inc., and and former chief of the division of emergency ultrasound at Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston. He explains what clinicians look for in lung ultrasound to evaluate patients for plural wall thickening and areas of congestion inside the lung typical of pneumonia and seen in patients with novel coronavirus (COVID-19, also referred to clinically as SARS-COV-2). 

Small hand-held ultrasound systems may offer advantages over X-ray or computed tomography (CT), because the entire system can be contained inside a protective sheath, making it easier to disinfect the device rather than an entire imaging room. Point of care ultrasound (POCUS) systems also allow triage of patients in tents or other areas outside of the hospital where other imaging modalities are not available. 

Stone shares examples of COVID-19 ultrasound images from Butterfly Network POCUS system technology, which turns an iPhone into an FDA-cleared ultrasound device for multiple POCUS exam types. It is the first POCUS system reported to be used for triage and monitoring COVID-19 patients. 
 

Related Coronavirus Content:

Study Looks at CT Findings of COVID-19 Through Recovery

Experts Stress Radiology Preparedness for COVID-19

ACR Recommendations for the Use of Chest Radiography and CT for Suspected COVID-19 Cases

Wuhan CT Scans Reliable for Coronavirus Diagnosis, Limited for Differentiation

The Cardiac Implications of Novel Coronavirus

CT Provides Best Diagnosis for Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19)

Radiology Lessons for Coronavirus From the SARS and MERS Epidemics

Deployment of Health IT in China’s Fight Against the COVID-19 Epidemic

Emerging Technologies Proving Value in Chinese Coronavirus Fight

Radiologists Describe Coronavirus CT Imaging Features

Coronavirus Update from the FDA

CT Imaging of the 2019 Novel Coronavirus (2019-nCoV) Pneumonia

CT Imaging Features of 2019 Novel Coronavirus (2019-nCoV)

Chest CT Findings of Patients Infected With Novel Coronavirus 2019-nCoV Pneumonia 

VIDEO: What Cardiologists Need to Know about COVID-19 — Interview with Thomas Maddox, M.D.

The Cardiac Implications of Novel Coronavirus

ESC Council on Hypertension Says ACE-I and ARBs Do Not Increase COVID-19 Mortality

Find more related clinical content Coronavirus (COVID-19)

 

Additional COVID-19 Resources for Clinicians:

   ACC COVID-19 Hub page   

   Johns Hopkins Coronavirus Resource Center with inteavtive map of cases in U.S. and worldwide 

   World Health Organization (WHO) COVID-19 situation reports

   World Health Organization (WHO) coronavirus information page

   U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) COVID-19 information page

   Centers for Disease Control (CDC) COVID-19 information page

   Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) frequently asked questions and answers (FAQs) for healthcare providers regarding COVID-19 related payments

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