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Today, treatment planning — the heart of radiation therapy systems — is almost entirely computer based, and is designed to help increase productivity by simplifying data for clinicians, making workflow smooth and seamless. This is key to helping improve patient outcomes. As technology progresses, so do treatment planning systems.
As one might expect, pediatric imaging presents a unique set of challenges compared to working with adult patients. Patient size, growth and development, and a distinct set of injuries and diseases all enter into the equation for pediatric radiologists.
A battle is taking shape in computed tomography (CT), one that pits the tubes that deliver X-rays against the detectors that record them. It is a fight over how to use X-rays of different energies — variations on the decades-old concept of selective energy CT (SECT), which promise to make diagnoses more accurate and patient management more effective.
As the saying goes, sometimes less is more — a maxim that is proving true in the world of medical imaging as remote viewing systems continue to advance. While some manufacturers are still utilizing software-based systems for reading and sharing imaging data, many are embracing browser-based models, otherwise known as zero-footprint viewers.
There have been several technology advances in PET/CT (positron emission tomography/computed tomography) systems recently introduced by vendors. On the show floors of the 2014 Society of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging (SNMMI) meeting and the 2014 Radiological Society of North America (RSNA) meeting, Philips, Toshiba and GE Healthcare introduced new PET/CT systems.
Proton Partners International Limited announced the appointment of global partners in its plans to build three proton beam therapy centers in the U.K. Partner organizations will provide state-of-the-art clinical equipment and technology solutions to the company.
Nuclear myocardial perfusion imaging (MPI) with positron emission tomography (PET) and single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) have been the gold standard for noninvasive detection of coronary ischemia and infarcts. However, the high radiation doses patients receive are making some providers think twice before referring their patients for nuclear MPI.
Public concern over radiation risks from medical imaging have been brought to the forefront with numerous mainstream media articles in recent years. Newer dose lowering technologies have helped reduce radiation dose by more than 50 percent for cardiac computed tomography angiography (CTA) scans, making it much more attractive as a diagnostic imaging modality. New CT technology — including perfusion imaging with advanced visualization software and CT-fractional flow reserve (FFR) imaging, recently cleared by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) — may lead to increased use of CT.
When 64-slice scanners were first introduced nearly 10 years ago, CTA dose was 20-30 mSv, but new reconstruction software, more sensitive detectors and other technologies have reduced this below 10 mSv. With the newest scanners and software, it is now possible to perform CTA with about 1 mSv of dose. This new dose profile has made CTA much more attractive, and nuclear imaging now finds itself in the position as the high radiation dose technology being called into question.
The latest advances in echocardiography were discussed at a special evening symposium at the 2015 American College of Cardiology (ACC) meeting, organized by Methodist Debakey Heart and Vascular Center.
It’s funny how terms catch on. Sometimes it’s the result of an innovator’s brand. No one goes out to play flying disc — we play Frisbee. Sometimes it’s the result of simplification. Everyone in healthcare knows about PACS — even when many (if not most) don’t know what exactly PACS (picture archiving and communication system) means. Then there is that instance when a term is generally used but doesn’t necessarily fit — either by innovation or by general adoption.
Philips Healthcare launched IntelliSpace Cardiovascular at the American College of Cardiology (ACC) 2015 meeting. The Web-enabled cardiovascular information system (CVIS) offers a single integrated workspace that produces a holistic view of the patient's care continuum across the entire cardiovascular service line. The new solution provides cardiologists with sophisticated tools for diagnosis and planning of patient cardiovascular care. The system uses an intuitive icon based tab system to easily sort and recognize various types of exams, imaging and reports.