Dear AuntMinnie Member,
It turns out that CT lung cancer screening is even more effective in Medicare-aged smokers than it is in younger people.
That's the conclusion of a new study by researchers from the U.S. National Institutes of Health (NIH). The group tackled head-on the concerns about CT screening expressed by the Medicare Evidence Development and Coverage Advisory Committee (MEDCAC).
As you might remember, a MEDCAC panel in April pooh-poohed CT lung cancer screening, recommending that Medicare not pay for the scans. Among its concerns was a purported lack of evidence regarding screening's effectiveness in the older population served by the program.
However, in a study released today in the Annals of Internal Medicine, the NIH researchers dispelled that concern, showing that CT screening was actually more effective in older participants of the National Lung Screening Trial, who had a higher prevalence of lung cancer.
The research is especially timely as the U.S. Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) is expected to make its final decision later this year on whether to pay for screening for seniors. Learn more about the study by clicking here.
Today's study complements a pair of articles released last week in the Journal of the American College of Radiology that also indicate CT lung cancer screening is more effective than previously thought. Click here to read about those studies, or visit our CT Digital Community at ct.auntminnie.com.
ICR 2014 opens in Dubai
The International Congress of Radiology (ICR) opened today in Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE), and AuntMinnieEurope.com Editor-in-Chief Philip Ward is on hand filing reports for our AuntMinnie Middle East special section.
ICR 2014 organizers report that some 1,500 radiology professionals registered for the event, a number that they believe makes the congress the largest event dedicated to radiology to be held in the Arab world. Talks delivered today highlighted the unique nature of radiology in the region, as well as new partnerships between ICR and the World Health Organization and the European Society of Radiology. Read all about it -- and view a slide show of images from Dubai -- by clicking here.
While you're in the section, check out our new article on what it's like to be an expatriate interventional radiologist working in the UAE. Dr. Asim Khwaja tells how he left his practice in Arizona for the UAE, eventually becoming chair of a hospital radiology department. Read his story and get tips for working in the Middle East by clicking here.
Finally, take a look at our first article translated into Arabic, a how-it's-done approach to uterine artery embolization by Dr. Jamal Al Deen Alkoteesh of Al Ain Hospital. Get these stories and more by visiting me.auntminnie.com.
What is the Best Radiology Image of 2014?
What is the Best Radiology Image of 2014? Thanks to the Minnies, you have the opportunity to make the call.
We're holding a competition on our Facebook page in which 12 images are vying for top honors. They run the gamut from CT scans with advanced reconstruction to plain x-rays.
Let us know which one you think is best by clicking here. And stay tuned for our announcement of the rest of the Minnies finalists later this month!
