Subspecialties: Page 1202

CT finds differences in omental infarction between children, adults

By Eric Barnes

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

MRI proves tennis leg injuries are more than just a racket

By Sydney Schuster

Tennis elbow, sure, but tennis leg? Yes, it exists, and it's not a reference to the endless gams on Maria Sharapova either. Instead, this injury of the medial head of the gastrocnemius can occur when the calf muscle is overstretched. Despite its moniker, tennis leg plagues nonathletes as well. However the injury happens, MRI -- and ultrasound to some extent -- are important for making the definitive diagnosis.

January 1, 2007

Radiologists should discuss cardiac implant disposal with patients

By Edward Susman

Tens of thousands of pacemakers and implantable cardioverter defibrillators are placed inside patients on an annual basis by multispecialty teams. The physicians involved in putting in pacemakers and defibrillators -- and that includes the radiologist -- must follow through with a plan for removing them, according to a researcher from the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia.

December 31, 2006

CompuMed's revenues decline in fiscal 2006

By AuntMinnie.com staff writers

Despite increased sales of its OsteoGram osteoporosis technology, Los Angeles-based medical informatics firm CompuMed posted lower revenues in fiscal year 2006 (end-September 30).

December 28, 2006

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

Teaching parents about CT risks might pare unnecessary scans in kids

By Eric Barnes

Doctors rarely tell parents about the radiation risks associated with CT imaging of pediatric patients, and understandably so. Time is in short supply and the subject is complex. But a pilot study in Colorado found that parents can be easily educated about radiation risks with the aid of a short brochure -- and that they react quite well to what they learn. Knowing CT scans aren't risk-free might even reduce some of the demand for CT in situations where it might not be needed, according to the researchers.

December 27, 2006