Mobile CT for stroke; questions on breast density laws; new breast CT scanner

Dear AuntMinnie Member,

A mobile stroke treatment unit consisting of an ambulance with a portable CT scanner was able to deliver treatment more quickly to stroke patients, according to a study presented this week at the International Stroke Conference in Nashville, TN.

Pioneered in Germany, the concept is gaining traction in the U.S. as a way to deliver clot-busting drugs to stroke victims before they arrive at the hospital. Such rapid treatment could potentially save millions of brain cells and lead to better outcomes for patients.

A group from the Cleveland Clinic tested the concept in 100 patients who were treated last year. They found that the mobile stroke unit was able to cut treatment times almost in half.

Learn more about how they did it by clicking here, or visit our CT Community at ct.auntminnie.com.

Questions on breast density laws

New questions are arising about the effectiveness of laws that require women to be told of their breast density status.

A new editorial opinion in the New England Journal of Medicine raises the issue of whether the laws are leading to unnecessary imaging exams and false positives. Complicating the situation are changing methods for measuring breast density, as well as the fact that tissue density is only one of a number of factors that could affect a woman's risk of developing breast cancer.

However, there are some major benefits of the new laws, the authors believe. Find out what they are by clicking here, or visit our Women's Imaging Community at women.auntminnie.com.

While you're there, also check out this story on a new breast CT scanner that recently won approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. The company that makes the system is positioning it as an adjunct to screening mammography -- but it will have to elbow into a niche that is already occupied by a number of other imaging modalities.