Higher radiation exposure common among some regions | Lindsey Vonn shares CT images | Benefits of photon-counting systems | More

New research is sounding the alarm on the amount of radiation patients undergoing cardiac imaging are exposed to, prompting experts to call for updated protocols. 

On Monday the skier shared 3D recon images of her tibia that were acquired prior to her undergoing multiple operations, including one she says saved her leg from amputation. 

The software was designed to address issues with inter-reader variability common to LDCT screenings. 

The platform provides radiologists with a Malignancy Similarity Index score, used to help determine the likelihood that an incidental nodule is malignant.

Compared to conventional contrast-enhanced chest computed tomography, photon-counting CT exams can reduce patients' effective radiation dose by more than 66%.

Tim Szczykutowicz, PhD, associate professor radiology, University of Wisconsin Madison, explains the new technology developments in GE HealthCare's  FDA 510(k)-pending photon-counting CT scanner. 

Experts involved in its development are confident the agent has the potential to overcome shortcomings associated with conventional oral agents currently on the market. 

Medical societies representing all three specialties issued a joint statement Jan. 21, criticizing studies claiming such scans pose risk of potential patient harm.