Imaging Service November 21, 2024
Non-Physicians Are Reading More Medical Images November 21, 2024
Non-physician practitioners are reading more medical images in U.S. medical offices. That’s according to a new study in JACR by researchers who found that the share of images interpreted by NPPs has doubled in the last 10 years. In the U.S., radiologists consider themselves to be the primary interpreters of medical images, but inroads have […]
Imaging Policy & Legislation November 18, 2024
Will Congress Stop Medicare Cuts? November 18, 2024
Radiologists find themselves once again in a familiar position, facing CMS cuts in Medicare and Medicaid physician payments for 2025. A new analysis by revenue cycle management company Healthcare Administrative Partners details the impact of the reductions, as well as other reimbursement changes set to take effect next year. CMS has been driving down radiology […]
Lung Imaging November 14, 2024
Time to Embrace X-Ray AI for Early Lung Cancer Detection November 14, 2024
Each year approximately 2 billion chest X-rays are performed globally. They are fast, noninvasive, and a relatively inexpensive radiological examination for front-line diagnostics in outpatient, emergency, or community settings. Be it serendipitous screening, opportunistic detection, or incidental identification, there is potential for AI incorporated into CXR to screen patients for disease when they are getting […]
Radiologists November 14, 2024
Radiologist Salaries Lag Inflation November 14, 2024
A new study in JACR confirms what many radiologists have suspected: salary growth for private-practice radiologists has lagged inflation over the last 10 years. While there were a few bright spots, the study mostly shows that radiologists are working harder for less pay. Radiology has long been one of the better-compensated medical specialties, often landing […]
Brain Imaging November 11, 2024
Real-World Stroke AI Implementation November 11, 2024
Time is brain. That simple saying encapsulates the urgency in diagnosing and treating stroke, when just a few hours can mean a huge difference in a patient’s recovery. A new study in Clinical Radiology shows the potential for Nicolab’s StrokeViewer AI software to improve stroke diagnosis, but also underscores the challenges of real-world AI implementation. […]
Breast Imaging November 7, 2024
Studies Support Breast Ultrasound for Screening November 7, 2024
A pair of new research studies offers guidance on when and where to use ultrasound for breast screening. The publications highlight the important advances being made in one of radiology’s most versatile modalities. Ultrasound is used in developed countries for supplementary breast cancer screening in women who may not be suitable for X-ray-based mammography due […]
CT Scanners November 4, 2024
CT Lung Screening’s Weak Link November 4, 2024
CT lung cancer screening rates in the U.S. remain abysmally low, over a decade after the exam was recommended. Is part of lung screening’s problem its reliance on provider referrals? A new research letter in JAMA Network Open examines this question. Unlike breast screening, in which eligible women are able to self-refer themselves for exams, […]
Brain Imaging October 31, 2024
MRI Predicts Cognitive Decline October 31, 2024
Early detection of cognitive decline is becoming increasingly important as new therapies become available for conditions like Alzheimer’s disease. A new 20-year study in JAMA Network Open shows that MRI can detect structural brain changes indicating future cognitive decline – years before symptoms occur. Longitudinal research has shown that subtle changes in body structure – […]
Breast Imaging October 28, 2024
ABUS Flies Solo for Breast Screening October 28, 2024
Is breast ultrasound ready for use as a primary breast screening modality – without mammography? Maybe not in developed countries, but researchers in China gave automated breast ultrasound a try, with results that are worth checking out in a new study in AJR. Mammography is unquestionably the primary imaging modality for first-line breast screening, with […]
Imaging IT October 24, 2024
Using AI-Powered Automation to Help Solve Today’s Radiology Crisis October 24, 2024
Reimbursement cuts. Radiologist and staff shortages. Rising costs. Surging imaging volumes. Overwhelming staff workloads. Shrinking margins. Sound familiar? Radiology departments, imaging centers, and radiology practices are facing a perfect storm of challenges to deliver high-quality patient care while remaining profitable and competitive. RADIN Health has developed an innovative, cloud-based (SaaS), all-in-one technology stack based on […]
Molecular Imaging October 24, 2024
PSMA-PET Reduces Prostate Deaths October 24, 2024
Using PSMA-PET instead of conventional imaging to stage patients with recurrent prostate cancer could reduce deaths by 13% and lead to improved quality of life. The new paper in JAMA Network Open confirms the value of PSMA imaging compared to traditional imaging approaches. Recurrent prostate cancer is one of the trickiest cancers to manage, especially […]
Cardiac Imaging October 21, 2024
FFR-CT Reduces Invasive Angiography Rates October 21, 2024
Performing automated CT-derived fractional flow reserve with Shukun Technology’s software reduced referrals to invasive coronary angiography by 19% in a new study in Radiology. The findings suggest that software-based FFR-CT can serve a gatekeeper role in managing workup of patients with suspected coronary artery disease. Cardiac CT has been a revolutionary tool for assessing people […]
Imaging IT October 18, 2024
Reduce the Mess, Reduce the Stress: Automating and Accelerating Efficiency in Complex Medical Imaging Environments October 18, 2024
Repetitive, arduous tasks are a major contributor to burnout – an increasingly prevalent issue in healthcare. While digital innovation is transformative, introducing more technology to workflows often creates additional layers of complexity, hindering efficiency, performance monitoring, and ultimately the quality of care. As a result, once-simple traditional workflows have grown cumbersome over time, filled with […]
Imaging IT October 17, 2024
Optimizing Front Office Operations through Integrated Apps and Cloud-Based RIS/PACS October 17, 2024
Paradox of High Patient Volumes At first glance, it may appear having more patients should naturally lead to higher revenue. When you consider extra labor costs and the fact that reimbursements are decreasing, increased volume can turn into diminishing returns. Optimal management of growing patient volumes requires a new way of working with automation and […]
Patient Engagement October 17, 2024
Do Imaging Costs Scare Patients? October 17, 2024
A new study in JACR reveals an uncomfortable reality about medical imaging price transparency: Patients who knew how much they would have to pay for their imaging exam were less likely to complete their study. Price transparency has been touted as a patient-friendly tool that can get patients engaged with their care while also helping […]
CT Scanners October 14, 2024
Did Malpractice Risk Kill V/Q Exams? October 14, 2024
CT perfusion angiography exams have largely replaced nuclear medicine-based ventilation/perfusion (V/Q) studies for detecting pulmonary embolism. But a new article in Academic Radiology suggests that CT’s rise wasn’t entirely based on clinical efficacy – fears of malpractice risk may have played a role. V/Q studies can help diagnose PE by enabling clinicians to visualize lung […]
Artificial Intelligence October 10, 2024
Low-Dose CT Confounds CAD in Kids October 10, 2024
When it comes to pediatric CT scans, clinicians should make every effort to reduce dose as much as possible. But a new study in AJR indicates that lower CT radiation dose can affect the performance of software tools like computer-aided detection. Initiatives like the Image Wisely and Image Gently projects have succeeded in raising awareness […]
Artificial Intelligence October 7, 2024
Mammography AI Predicts Cancer Before It’s Detected October 7, 2024
A new study highlights the predictive power of AI for mammography screening – before cancers are even detected. Researchers in a study JAMA Network Open found that risk scores generated by Lunit’s Insight MMG algorithm predicted which women would develop breast cancer – years before radiologists found it on mammograms. Mammography image analysis has always […]
Breast Imaging October 3, 2024
Breast Cancer Mortality Falls Again October 3, 2024
New data from the American Cancer Society highlight the remarkable strides that have been made against breast cancer, with the U.S. death rate falling 44% over the last 33 years – saving over half a million lives. But the statistics also underscore the work that remains to be done, particularly with minority women. The fight […]
