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.

PHOTO GALLERY: Duly Health adopts outpatient cardiac CT as a standard of care

Duly Health and Care in suburban Chicago recently opened a new outpatient cardiac evaluation center equipped with a dedicated cardiac CT system, which will likely be a new business model that will be seen more in the coming years.

April 20, 2022
Ischemic stroke CT imaging. Images courtesy of RSNA

VA telestroke program prevents unnecessary hospital transfers and improves rural outcomes

A new study of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Veterans Health Administration (VHA) National Telestroke Program shows the program prevents unnecessary hospital transfers for stroke patients and increases outcomes for patients at rural VA clinics.

April 19, 2022
Leslee Shaw, PhD, and former presidents of both SCCT and ASNC discusses the role of CT and FFR-CT in the 2021 chest pain guidelines.

VIDEO: Cardiac CT now recommended as a front-line chest pain assessment tool

Leslee Shaw, PhD, director of the Blavatnik Family Women’s Health Research Institute at Mount Sinai Hospital in New York and former president of the Society of Cardiovascular Computed Tomography (SCCT) and the American Society of Nuclear Cardiology (ASNC), explains the role of cardiac computed tomography (CT) in the recent 2021 chest pain guidelines.

April 19, 2022
An example of a lung cancer found using low-dose computed tomography (LDCT). Image courtesy of RSNA

Experts highlight 'suboptimal' rates of CMS-required shared decision making encounters prior to LDCT

These findings underscore the need for better implementation of shared decision-making (SDM) models, as well as more thorough counseling documentation, as low-dose CT (LDCT) lung screen coverage is dependent on these factors, experts suggested.

April 18, 2022
The ASNC is one of several medical imaging societies asking Congress to repeal the appropriate use criteria (AUC) criteria mandate. They say it poses issues for clinicians and is becoming outdated by changes in CMS payment systems. The AUC requirements call for documentation using CVMS authorized software in order to show advanced imaging such as nuclear and CT is justified, or else Medicare payments might be withheld.

American Society of Nuclear Cardiology urges Congress to speed prior authorizations, repeal AUC mandate 

Over the past few weeks, members of ASNC’s Health Policy Committee have held meetings with their members of Congress.

April 18, 2022

Experts advocate for ‘one-stop-shop’ cancer screening approach to address COVID-related backlogs

Radiology and other specialties should reimagine a system requiring numerous separate visits for breast, lung, prostate, cervical, colorectal, and skin cancer, editorialists argued.

April 14, 2022

Use of unnecessary neuroimaging for patients with dizziness prevalent in outpatient settings

Quality improvement efforts have sought to address such low-value diagnostic testing in the ED, with little attention paid to ambulatory settings, experts wrote in JAMA

April 8, 2022
colon colorectal cancer CTC

American College of Radiology, patient advocacy groups urge feds to fix CTC coverage gap

ACR and others have submitted a formal national coverage determination request, asking the agency to address payment gaps for virtual colonoscopies. 

April 7, 2022

Around the web

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

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

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

Trimed Popup
Trimed Popup