Diagnostic Reading #18: Five “Must Read” Articles on Medical Imaging
Reading Time: 4 minutes read
In the news: radiologists’ role in improving the patient experience.
This week’s articles in Diagnostic Reading include: radiologists can improve patient experience; an important MRI breakthrough; FDG-PET/CT may help increase SCC survival rates; new imaging method aims to stop seizures; and AI better detects wrist fractures.
Radiologists must play central role in improving the patient experience. Experts offer tips – Radiology Business
Radiologists play a pivotal role in improving healthcare consumers’ interaction with the system. To help radiology departments and practices support and improve the patient experience, the American College of Radiology (ACR) offered several ideas—including introducing yourself to patients, thanking each individual for choosing your practice, creating “wow” moments, giving out business cards or consistently explaining your work to customers. Read how the Hospital of UP is measuring patient care in radiology.
Researchers develop a ‘significant breakthrough’ in magnetic resonance imaging – Health Imaging
Scientists have developed a new hyperpolarization technique that can significantly change the field of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), according to an article published in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. The proposed concept involves rapidly hyperpolarizing fumarate, a key metabolic product in human energy creation, using parahydrogen. Parahydrogen-induced polarization, or PHIP, is much easier and more cost-effective compared to hyperpolarizing fumarate. This highly scientific process could more accurately image kidney injuries, the effects of a heart attack and more.
FDG-PET/CT may increase survival in SCC patients – AuntMinnie
FDG-PET/CT imaging can increase survival rates in patients with newly diagnosed, treatment-naive squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) of the oral cavity, according to a study published in JAMA Network Open. Researchers found the accuracy of FDG-PET/CT was superior to MRI and CT alone for detecting metastases in patients with SCC of the oral cavity. The finding is important because the early dissection of lymph node metastases leads to an increase in the likelihood of survival in these patients.
New imaging approach could help stop epileptic seizures – Axis Imaging News
An advanced imaging approach developed at the University of Virginia School of Medicine could allow surgeons to determine the best target in the brain to stop epilepsy seizures, a research team reports. The method uses an enhanced form of PET to measure glucose use in the brain, which helps doctors pinpoint the trouble spot in the brain that is triggering seizures. This could improve patient outcomes and open an underused surgery to patients who are now ineligible.
Researchers use AI to detect wrist fractures – MedImaging
An automated system that uses artificial intelligence (AI) is effective at detecting a common type of wrist fracture on X-rays, according to researchers at the Jeroen Bosch Hospital and Jheronimus Academy of Data Science. Though conventional X-ray is the standard imaging technique for diagnosing scaphoid fractures, it has several limitations. The new system has significant potential in clinical use as it could reduce the incidence and costs of additional imaging exams and unnecessary therapy, speed up diagnosis and allow earlier treatment.
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