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. 

lung cancer pulmonary nodule

RadNet, American Lung Association launch ‘revolutionary’ cancer screening program

The Florida Lung Health Coalition is chasing the goal of increasing low-dose CT uptake in the state to 30% by 2030. 

ezra

Imaging startup Ezra launches ‘world’s most advanced longevity scan’ at $5,995 a pop

“Ezra Blueprint” incorporates CT and MRI and is designed in partnership with “longevity pioneer and rejuvenation athlete” Bryan Johnson. 

breast cancer mammography screening mammogram scheduling

OB-GYN specialists urge more aggressive breast cancer screening amid rising case counts

The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists wants women to begin regular mammography in their 40s as diagnoses climb among this age group. 

Ezra

Whole-body MRI startup Ezra expands service in partnership with Princeton Radiology

The two will broaden their reach into the Philadelphia area, offering an “end to end” screening platform that monitors for cancer and other conditions. 

FDA announces recall of Boston Scientific's Obsidio Conformable Embolic

Boston Scientific updates instructions for recalled embolic agent linked to multiple deaths

The premixed embolic agent is designed to embolize hypervascular tumors and occlude blood flow in a patient's peripheral blood vessels. It was recalled in April due to safety concerns.

HeartFlow Plaque Analysis Example

New Category I CPT code issued for AI-enabled coronary plaque analysis software

The news comes just days after CMS confirmed these technologies would start receiving expanded Medicare coverage in November. HeartFlow and other AI vendors have already shared their excitement over the decision. 

Factors that fuel patients’ failure to follow-up after ‘probably benign’ breast findings

Age, race, whether they underwent MRI or ultrasound, insurance coverage, and other factors correlated with patients no-showing following a BI-RADS 3 designation. 

Example of an automated artificial intelligence (AI) assessment of soft coronary plaque from a CT scan from the vendor Cleerly. The AI gives a very detailed report of all the plaque in all the coronary vessels. Some cardiology experts believe this may be the way of the future in screening patients for early coronary disease and monitoring the impact of prevention efforts such as statins to determine if more aggressive treatments are needed.

Medicare administrative contractors approve coverage of AI-enabled quantitative CT

Four of the seven Medicare Administrative Contractors (MACs) announced they will now cover artificial intelligence-enabled quantitative coronary tomography (AI-QCT) and coronary plaque analysis (AI-CPA). 

Around the web

The patient, who was being cared for in the ICU, was not accompanied or monitored by nursing staff during his exam, despite being sedated.

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.