Gastrointestinal Radiology: Page 116

German screening trial finds high accuracy for VC

Results from the first 300 patients screened in the ongoing Munich Colorectal Cancer Prevention Trial indicate that virtual colonoscopy with 64-slice CT is sensitive and specific for the detection of polyps of all sizes. The researchers in Germany found that conventional colonoscopy had a slight edge in diminutive polyps, but virtual colonoscopy did a little better with the larger lesions.

January 16, 2007

E-Z-EM shows positive Q2

By AuntMinnie.com staff writers

Contrast and virtual colonoscopy accessory developer E-Z-EM reported a slight uptick in net sales and profit for its fiscal 2007 second quarter.

January 9, 2007

C-RADS reporting yields effective VC analysis

C-RADS, the virtual colonoscopy reporting system developed by the Virtual Colonoscopy Working Group, is an efficient way to evaluate practice experience in virtual colonoscopy, and can be used to compare exam quality, readers, and patient cohorts, according to researchers from Boston.

January 8, 2007

'Instant replay' fluoroscopy cuts radiation dose in children

If you've ever watched a fluoroscopy study fly by and muttered something less printable than "Wait -- what was that again?" you may not be alone. Considering how fast physiologic processes happen, a little instant-replay action could go a long way toward nailing the diagnosis. Now researchers from Israel have found that a software feature known as last fluoroscopy hold (LFH) can dramatically reduce the need for another pass at the patient, thereby reducing the radiation dose and saving time.

January 8, 2007

2007 01 08 14 39 58 706

US-guided needle aspiration offers effective, low-cost treatment for liver abscesses

By Radiology Review

Trial percutaneous needle aspiration of multiple pyogenic liver abscesses, under ultrasound guidance, should be performed prior to catheter drainage or surgery, according to researchers from Italy. Because of its low-cost, real-time nature, and mobility, ultrasound is more versatile than CT guidance, the group states.

January 4, 2007

Phase imaging with MPR improves MDCT of pancreatic cancer

By Radiology Review

For evaluating pancreatic adenocarcinoma using triple-phase multidetector-row CT (MDCT), a combination of pancreatic parenchymal and portal venous phase imaging is essential and appropriate, according to radiologists in Japan.

January 3, 2007

CT finds differences in omental infarction between children, adults

Omental infarction is an uncommon cause of severe abdominal pain in both children and adults. It rarely requires surgery, but it can be mistaken for other conditions, such as acute appendicitis, that do need quick intervention. Thus correct diagnosis is critical. Researchers from Pittsburgh examined CT images from omental infarction patients and found predictable patterns and presentations that could speed diagnosis and decision-making, and perhaps avoid unnecessary intervention.

January 2, 2007

2007 01 02 15 01 04 706

AV Gallery

Last fluoroscopy hold allows the radiologist to replay fluoroscopy sequences to get a second look without re-exposing the patient, thereby reducing dose and saving time. This video shows an upper GI barium series in a patient postgastric banding. There is a narrowing just beyond the ring that can be seen only for a split second, and then is hidden from view due to barium filling the rest of the stomach. Although this study was performed in a young adult and not a young child, it superbly depicts the "instant replay" benefit of last fluoroscopy hold. All videos and images courtesy of Dr. Michalle Soudack and Dr. Aviv Hirschenbein.

December 28, 2006

Colon cancer screening reimbursement yields earlier-stage diagnosis

A study of older Americans has found that better access to screening colonoscopy since 1998 has led to the detection of more right-sided and early-stage colorectal cancers. The findings suggest that reimbursement for colorectal cancer screening may significantly, and perhaps cost-effectively, reduce mortality from the disease.

December 18, 2006

Low incidence of serious extracolonic findings seen in VC screening population

One of the largest studies to date of asymptomatic virtual colonoscopy screening subjects found critical extracolonic findings in almost 3% of the patients, adding about $138 to the cost of screening for each patient. Researchers from the University of Wisconsin in Madison analyzed Medicare and private-practice billing records for the 2,195 individuals screened in the study.

December 17, 2006

2006 12 12 17 21 45 706

Virtual dissection reading method finds the same polyps faster

A virtual colonoscopy reading method that unrolls, opens, and displays the colon as a flat 3D model allowed readers in a recent study to find the same polyps they found in 2D or regular 3D endoluminal viewing, only faster. Still, double reading beat any single-display technique in lesion detection.

December 11, 2006

2006 12 11 14 59 16 706

CEUS stars in differentiating PVT in cirrhotic patients

By Erik L. Ridley

Contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) shows high sensitivity, accuracy, and specificity for differentiating benign and malignant portal vein thrombosis (PVT) in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), according to a team of Italian researchers.

December 6, 2006

Page 116 of 170