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.

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. 

cancer screening puzzle

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. 

Thumbnail

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. 

doors subspecialty specialize

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

lung cancer screening

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. 

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. 

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. 

Thumbnail

Errors in imaging orders occur occasionally. How 1 institution reduced them by 83%

This is an under-examined phenomenon, experts note, with common reasons including selecting the wrong modality, technique, anatomy or contrast. 

Around the web

After reviewing years of data from its clinic, one institution discovered that issues with implant data integrity frequently put patients at risk. 

Prior to the final proposal’s release, the American College of Radiology reached out to CMS to offer its recommendations on payment rates for five out of the six the new codes.

“Before these CPT codes there was no real acknowledgment of the additional burden borne by the providers who accepted these patients."

Trimed Popup
Trimed Popup