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.

IAEA: When selecting medical imaging equipment, don’t assume ‘new’ means ‘low dose’
Advanced imaging equipment using ionizing radiation enters the global market at the rate of one new technology every five years.
Stroke patient sues radiology practice claiming negligence led to her fall from a CT scanner
Monica Lynch accuses Midstate Radiology Associates of failing to secure her to the scanner table and ignoring her needs during an examination.
Medicare drops AUC requirement for advanced imaging, ASNC celebrates
"This was an unneeded burden, which was solely adding to the administrative hassles of medicine," said American Society of Nuclear Cardiology President Larry Phillips.
Portion of patients undergoing CTA for headache or dizziness soars 67% while positivity rate plummets
That’s according to new research out of the Harvey L. Neiman Health Policy Institute, published in Internal and Emergency Medicine.
Radiologists produce imitation PET scans via routine CT imaging
“With further tuning and validation, this pipeline may potentially add value in cancer screening, staging, diagnosis and prognosis," experts wrote in Cell Reports Medicine.

$Examples of the messages the Nanox AI algorithms display for incidental findings of spinal compression fractures and detection of coronary calcium. Both can help physicians better understand risk factors or need for therapy in patients through these types of opportunistic screenings on scans being performed for other reasons.$

Routine chest CT often reveals patients at risk for cardiovascular disease, presenting radiology with ‘untapped’ potential

Rads only reported this incidental finding in about 31% to 44% of cases, experts detailed in the Journal of the American College of Radiology.

February 20, 2024

Video of Mahadevappa Mahesh, PhD, incoming-AAPM president, professor of radiology and a medical physicist, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, explains key trends in imaging physics presented at the Radiological Society of North America (RSNA) 2023 meeting.

6 key trends in medical imaging physics

Mahadevappa Mahesh, PhD, incoming American Association of Physicists in Medicine president, discusses key developments in the specialty.

February 14, 2024

World Health Organization forecasts 77% increase in new cancer cases by 2050

Two years ago, there were roughly 20 million cancer cases. However, population aging and growth are pushing these numbers upward, WHO said.

February 6, 2024

More with less: Department cuts technologists’ wasted time searching for CT supplies by 62%

The University of Utah Health department of radiology recently tackled a quality improvement project to quash wasted minutes spent seeking syringes and other items in storage.

February 5, 2024

Inconsistent imaging: Radiologists letting personal preferences influence decision-making

There is significant variation from one radiologist to the next in suggesting follow-up head and neck imaging, Harvard experts detailed in AJR.

January 31, 2024

Patient-radiologist consultations, held in reading room after lung cancer screening, show promise

Conversations last 10 minutes or less, with specialists providing a preliminary interpretation of imaging findings in conjunction with smoking cessation counseling.

January 31, 2024

Over the Shoulder Shot CT Brain Scan Images

Lower shift volumes lead to significantly fewer errors for neuroradiologists

When case volumes climb to 67-90 studies, error rates were 226% higher than those tackling 19 or fewer cases during their shift, experts reported.

January 29, 2024

Medicare data stethoscope healthcare trends graphs finance financials

Use of CT angiography has surged in recent years, with a corresponding drop in MRI

Ease of access, lower cost, and shorter scan time, especially for emergent clinical indications such as acute stroke, all may be fueling CTA volumes.

January 23, 2024

Around the web

Cardiovascular Business

Medicare drops AUC requirement for advanced imaging, ASNC celebrates

"This was an unneeded burden, which was solely adding to the administrative hassles of medicine," said American Society of Nuclear Cardiology President Larry Phillips.

Cardiovascular Business

Cardiology, radiology groups urge insurance provider to rethink imaging policy

SCAI and four other major healthcare organizations signed a joint letter in support of intravascular ultrasound.

Cardiovascular Business

Radiology AI company gains FDA clearance for new CT offerings focused on PE, stroke

The newly approved AI models are designed to improve the detection of pulmonary embolisms and strokes in patients who undergo CT scans.