AuntMinnie.com X-Ray Radiology Insider

Dear X-Ray Insider,

For the diagnoses of pulmonary embolism (PE), radiologists generally fall into two camps -- those who prefer ventilation-perfusion scintigraphy (V/Q scan) and those who rely on CT angiography (CTA). But a group from New Haven, CT, has suggested adding a third option in the form of the good old chest radiograph.

They believe that chest x-rays can be used to triage PE patients and decide who would benefit from a V/Q scan versus CTA. The goal is to cut back on indeterminate imaging results while yielding a more definitive diagnosis. Click here to read more.

In other x-ray news, radiologists are holding their own in the world of bone densitometry, steadily racking up more exams than other specialists. DEXA may not be a big moneymaker, but the aging of the general population means that demand for the scans will continue to rise, offering a steady source of patients and income.

Finally, British researchers turned to x-ray to distinguish juvenile idiopathic arthritis from camptodactyly-arthropathy-coxa vara-pericarditis (CACP) syndrome, a rare genetic disorder.