Diagnostic Reading #38: Five “Must Read” Articles on Medical Imaging
Reading Time: 3 minutes read
Patient perceptions on imaging modalities and radiation make news.
This week’s articles in Diagnostic Reading include: worldwide variation in COVID-19 imaging; radiologists must support physician, patient education; post-Brexit medical imaging regulations; imaging agent illuminates inflammation; and are clinicians ordering too many CT lung exams?
Survey finds widespread variation in imaging modalities used to assess COVID-19 – Radiology Business
There is widespread variation in the imaging modalities used to assess COVID-19 worldwide, according to a survey in European Radiology. In an attempt to quantify some of this variance, experts hope to inform radiology departments how to organize and develop imaging protocols during this and future pandemics. Since the start of the pandemic, many have debated using imaging as a first-line test to diagnose COVID-19. While 69% of respondents said they typically do not perform imaging in asymptomatic patients, 60% used it at the end of confinement.
Patient perceptions of imaging modalities and ionizing radiation – Diagnostic Imaging
Patient understanding and informed consent are critical when dealing with ionizing radiation. Patient education is largely influenced by patient-physician communication and plays a significant role in a patient’s ability to provide such consent. However, with low percentages of patients reporting communication about radiologic testing and physicians self-reporting knowledge gaps in these areas, patient education is hindered. Radiologists must work to address the knowledge gaps reported by attending physicians. Further, radiologists have a responsibility to ensure patients are educated on the radiological tests they are undergoing. Read the related blog on Building Trust in the Radiographer/Patient Relationship.
After Brexit: device regulations come under scrutiny – AuntMinnie Europe
The U.K. government recently announced guidelines on the changes to how medical devices are to be regulated in the U.K. as of January 1, 2021, when the transition period ends. The important point is that the U.K. government’s existing regulatory authority—the Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency (MHRA)—will take over responsibilities that are currently those of the European Union (EU). This article explores how these changes affect medical imaging companies.
New imaging agent spotlights inflammation – Axis Imaging News
Many of the most common diseases—cancer, diabetes, cardiovascular and lung disease, and even COVID-19—have been linked to chronic or excessive inflammation. Though blood tests can indicate that some part of a person’s body is inflamed, doctors don’t have a good way to zero in on the exact site. Researchers have developed an experimental imaging agent that illuminates the location and the intensity of inflammation, according to a report in the journal Redox Biology. The agent is designed to detect inflammation via PET scans.
Are clinicians ordering CT lung screening too often? – AuntMinnie
Referring providers are ordering CT lung cancer screening exams for individuals who don’t meet established clinical guidelines for the tests, according to a study published in the Journal of the American College of Radiology. This trend may reflect a lack of understanding of lung cancer screening guidelines by both patients and providers, stated the lead author. However, it may also indicate that providers are deciding to override guidelines.
#diagnosticreading #everythingrad
