Diagnostic Reading #13: Five “Must Read” Articles on Medical Imaging
Reading Time: 3 minutes read
Multiple imaging modalities are in the news this week.
This week’s articles in Diagnostic Reading include: bubbles may improve ultrasound imaging; new radiotracer helps detect cancer, chest X-ray, CT can speed up TB diagnosis; ABR changing remote exam requirements; and IT procedure treats knee arthritis.
Tiny bubbles making large impact on medical ultrasound imaging – Axis Imaging News
Though bubbles are becoming useful in improving medical imaging, disease detection and targeted drug delivery, they can fizzle out soon after injection into the bloodstream. However, a multidisciplinary research team has built a better bubble—and their new formulations have resulted in nanoscale bubbles with customizable outer shells so small and durable that they can travel to and penetrate some of the most inaccessible areas in the human body. With ultrasound imaging, bubbles can serve as a contrast agent, which can lead to clearer images.
Novel radiotracer shows promise for prostate imaging – AuntMinnie
An experimental new radiotracer is effective when used with PET/CT for detecting biochemically recurrent prostate cancer and may change patient management, according to research published in the Journal of Nuclear Medicine. German researchers tested an experimental radio hybrid prostate-specific membrane antigen (rhPSMA) ligand, finding that it identified cancers in almost 73 percent of patients on PET/CT scans. Prostate cancer relapse following curative-intent primary therapy remains a considerable clinical challenge, with up to one-third of patients experiencing biochemical recurrent disease.
Chest X-ray and chest CT critical to early diagnosis of TB – Diagnostic Imaging
Using chest X-ray or chest CT scans to image the lungs of patients who have symptoms suspicious of tuberculosis (TB) can expedite diagnosis, potentially limiting transmission of the disease, according to a study published in The Lancet Infectious Diseases. While TB is rare in the United States, recent data indicates that the pace of the declines in cases is slowing. Timely identification of the disease vital, said the team investigators. Read the Special Series on Chest Imaging on Everything Rad.
American Board of Radiology to require side-view cameras for future remote exams – Radiology Business
With more than 1,500 physicians taking the American Board of Radiology’s virtual exams this year, the group is making a key change in testing. Beginning April 15, the doc-certification nonprofit announced that test takers will need to have side-view cameras on their computers. Candidates have one month to make the switchover away from standard, front-facing web cams. To help defray the cost, candidates will be credited $40 toward future fees.
Outpatient IR procedure for knee arthritis helps patients who could barely walk – Health Imaging
Interventional radiologists have found embolization safe and effective for treating knee arthritis, bringing immediate relief to patients who could barely walk, according to a prospective study. Genicular artery embolization (GAE) uses tiny particles to control the blood supply in painful and inflamed areas of the knee. During the outpatient procedure, interventionalists navigate a catheter to deliver GAE directly into arteries into arthritic knees.
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