Clinical Research

Whole body nuc-med imaging a solid contributor to inpatient infection management

PET/CT with the common radiotracer 18F-FDG has been found useful for workups and monitoring of infections in real-world hospitalized patients, according to a study conducted by researchers at Yale and Stanford published Nov. 14. 

Emergency referrers shown to care more about pursuing patient wellbeing than avoiding malpractice action

Contradicting prior research connecting heavy ordering of diagnostic exams with fear of malpractice charges—aka “defensive medicine”—a new survey shows ED referrers more focused on not harming patients than on not getting sued.

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RSNA primes 2022 conference attendees for virtual participation, technical exhibits

With its 108th scientific assembly and annual meeting a little more than two weeks away, the Radiological Society of North America is encouraging attendees to experience 2022’s big show virtually—even if they’ll be there in person.

Upped imaging utilization seems to follow ED clinicians who aren’t physicians

Emergency departments that employ nonphysician practitioners probably improve patient access to timely care. However, these EDs also order 5.3% more imaging than their physician-only counterparts.

3 organizations support 8 ascendant researchers

The American Roentgen Ray Society (ARRS), Strategic Radiology and Bracco Diagnostics have separately elevated early- and mid-career radiologists to heightened educational opportunities.

Lyme disease neuroimaging uncovers compensatory brain repair

Lyme disease patients treated for “brain fog” may develop compensatory alterations in white matter that show up on MRI and correspond—unexpectedly—with slow but sound cognitive performance.

James Udelson, MD, from Tufts and an investiogator in the PRECISE trial, explains how FFR-CT combined with coronary CT outperformed the standard of care in patients with stable chest pain, or low-risk patients with suspected coronary involvement.

VIDEO: PRECISE trial shows cardiac CT with FFR-CT significantly improves patient outcomes

James Udelson, MD, an investigator involved with the PRECISE trial, explained how patient outcomes were improved by 70% from the current standard of care.

Pandemic anxiety in mothers-to-be shows up in fetal neuroimaging

Pregnant women who felt stressed by healthcare disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic radiated the unease to their developing offspring. The effects were observable on fetal MRI of both brainstem structure and functional activity.

Around the web

The patient, who was being cared for in the ICU, was not accompanied or monitored by nursing staff during his exam, despite being sedated.

The nuclear imaging isotope shortage of molybdenum-99 may be over now that the sidelined reactor is restarting. ASNC's president says PET and new SPECT technologies helped cardiac imaging labs better weather the storm.

CMS has more than doubled the CCTA payment rate from $175 to $357.13. The move, expected to have a significant impact on the utilization of cardiac CT, received immediate praise from imaging specialists.