Medical Imaging

Physicians utilize medical imaging to see inside the body to diagnose and treat patients. This includes computed tomography (CT), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), X-ray, ultrasound, fluoroscopy, angiography,  and the nuclear imaging modalities of PET and SPECT. 

An example of cardiac MRI myocardial blood flow reserve (MBFR) imaging. Image courtesy of https://doi.org/10.3390/diagnostics10090679

Imaging group thrilled with new CPT codes for MBFR measurements

The Society for Cardiovascular Magnetic Resonance applauded two new CPT Category III codes for myocardial blood flow reserve (MBFR) assessments.

Price shopping transparency

‘MRI’ is the most-searched medical term among patients seeking cost information

“CT scan” was the third most-searched term among healthcare consumers, and “ultrasound” was No. 4, according to Fair Health. 

mammography mammogram breast cancer

Access isn’t enough; other unmet needs keeping patients from using screening mammography

Patients with such impediments also are more likely to present to practices with late-stage disease, experts detailed in JAMA Network Open.  

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RadNet: General radiologists achieve specialist-level performance interpreting mammograms with help from AI

The Los Angeles-based provider and its AI division, DeepHealth, recently assessed the skills of 18 physicians using their custom-built software. 

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. 

The rate of radiology reading errors has not changed in 75 years, despite technology advances, explains Michael Bruno, MD, Penn State Hershey Medical Center, who outlines the reasons why.

Error rates in radiology have not changed in 75 years

Radiology report reading errors are as prevalent as ever. Michael Bruno, MD, of Penn State Hershey Medical Center says it's time for that to change.

breast radiologist breast cancer mammography

New breast imaging approach provides high sensitivity while reducing false positives: ‘Groundbreaking advancement’

Low-dose positron emission mammography is a molecular imaging technique that also can reduce radiation exposure while avoiding breast compression. 

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Radiology practice SimonMed doubling centers offering full-body MRI scans amid ‘exponential’ demand growth

The private equity-backed provider first launched SimonOne nationwide in summer 2023, capitalizing on increased interest from startup firms and celebrities. 

Around the web

The new F-18 flurpiridaz radiotracer is expected to help drive cardiac PET growth, but it requires waiting between rest and stress scans. Software from MultiFunctional Imaging can help care teams combat that problem.

News of an incident is a stark reminder that healthcare workers and patients aren’t the only ones who need to be aware around MRI suites.

The ACR hopes these changes, including the addition of diagnostic performance feedback, will help reduce the number of patients with incidental nodules lost to follow-up each year.