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. 

The Nanox ARC cold-cathode, tomosythesis 3D X-ray system is currently pending FDA clearance. If cleared, it would be the first device of its kind to offer cold-cathode X-ray tube technology and the ability to slice through the anatomy in images similar to CT scans aid diagnosis. The new type of tube also could greatly reduce the size and weight of X-ray systems. The vendor sees this system as key to its larger plan to address health disparities and access to imaging world-wide. #Nanox

Can cold-cathode X-ray combined with teleradiology and AI eliminate health disparities?

The Israeli vendor Nanox says it has a vision for the future of healthcare. It seeks to address health disparities and access challenges with a new business model and innovative package of technologies. Hurdles loom, but opportunities abound. 

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Lung Association finds low-dose CT screenings underused but cancer survival improving

More than 16% of eligible individuals get screened for lung cancer in Massachusetts. Only 1% do so in California. The national average is unfortunately closer to the latter extreme, at 5.8%.

FDA expands indications for neuroimaging radiotracer

An established radiopharmaceutical can now be applied with the FDA’s blessing when symptoms of cognitive decline point to the second most common form of degenerative dementia (after only Alzheimer’s disease).  

FDA greenlights intracranial hemorrhage AI

RapidAI has been cleared for U.S. marketing of updated AI-outfitted software that quickly detects or rules out acute brain hemorrhage on unenhanced CT.

Lyme disease neuroimaging uncovers compensatory brain repair

Lyme disease patients treated for “brain fog” may develop compensatory alterations in white matter that show up on MRI and correspond—unexpectedly—with slow but sound cognitive performance.

James Udelson, MD, from Tufts and an investiogator in the PRECISE trial, explains how FFR-CT combined with coronary CT outperformed the standard of care in patients with stable chest pain, or low-risk patients with suspected coronary involvement.

VIDEO: PRECISE trial shows cardiac CT with FFR-CT significantly improves patient outcomes

James Udelson, MD, an investigator involved with the PRECISE trial, explained how patient outcomes were improved by 70% from the current standard of care.

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Neuroimaging recedes behind other cost compilers in stroke care

Contrary to older research that showed neuroimaging emerging as the single most dominating cost contributor in ischemic stroke care for older Americans, a new study shows treatment and other line items account for bigger slices of the bill.

Pandemic anxiety in mothers-to-be shows up in fetal neuroimaging

Pregnant women who felt stressed by healthcare disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic radiated the unease to their developing offspring. The effects were observable on fetal MRI of both brainstem structure and functional activity.

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.