Computed Tomography

Computed tomography (CT) is a fast and accurate imaging modality often used in emergency settings and trauma imaging. CT scans, with or without (or both) iodinated contrast are frequently used to image the brain, chest, abdomen and pelvis, but also have post-imaging reconstructive capabilities for detailed orthopedic imaging. It is now a standard imaging modality in emergency rooms to quickly assess patients. CT uses a series of X-ray images shot as the gantry rotates around the patient. Computer technology assembles these into into a dataset volume than can be slices on any access, or advanced visualization software can extract specific parts of the anatomy for study. Find more content specific to cardiac CT.

Lung cancer cigarettes

Members of Congress introduce bill requiring all Medicaid programs to cover lung cancer screening

H.R. 4286 also would expand coverage for tobacco cessation in the federal payment program, including counseling and medication-assisted treatment. 

HCA Florida University Hospital

RadNet joins hospital giant HCA and others in coalition to address woeful cancer screening rate

The consortium of cancer care stakeholders recently held a launch event, with others involved including the ACR, Johnson & Johnson, and drug company AstraZeneca. 

physician money payments dollars

Physician-owned hospitals charge less for imaging than their counterparts

The finding comes as lobbying groups urge Congress to repeal an ongoing moratorium on doc hospital ownership

lung cancer screening

More assertive language in cancer screening reports leads to likelier receipt of follow-up care

Patients with Lung-RADS 4A findings who spoke with a clinician by phone were three times more likely to see things through, experts wrote in JAMA Network Open

quality

American College of Radiology tells CMS new quality measure would pose too much burden

The agency is proposing a new electronic clinical quality measure for inpatients tied to "excessive radiation dose or inadequate image quality." 

Prompting primary care physicians in the EHR helps boost use of CT for lung cancer screening

Rutgers University has seen significant increases in the number of fully filled out patient records, individuals eligible for screening, and completed LDCT orders. 

chest pain lung pulmonary embolism

How CT creates barrier to treating pulmonary embolism patients in cheaper outpatient settings

Rather than being discharged, low-risk PE patients often receive unnecessary additional services and overnight stays, experts wrote in JAMA.

mergers and acquisitions M&A puzzle

Block Imaging spinning off mobile business after announcing its acquisition by Siemens, CommonSpirit

Cube Mobile Imaging, as it’s now called, will not be involved in the transaction, instead continuing to operate as a standalone, family-owned business

Around the web

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.

The all-in-one Omni Legend PET/CT scanner is now being manufactured in a new production facility in Waukesha, Wisconsin.