Health Imaging & IT - January 2009 - (Page 17)

RSNA 2008 IN-Depth @ RSNA360.HealthImaging.com RSNA 2008 In Review low-dose CT colonography (CTC) is not affected by the radiationlowering protocol, questions have remained as to its applicability with 3D advanced visualization software tools. Mehdi Cadi, MD, of the Saltpietre Hosipital in Paris, said that the quality of images for CTC 3D interpretation (polyps and masses) is not affected by lowdose protocols. training could ease perception errors with CtC virtual dissection “Optimal CTC interpretation incorporates both 2D and 3D search techniques as some polyps are more conspicuous using one display method,” said Kevin Christensen, MD, of Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minn. “3D virtual dissection allows a 360 degree view of the flattened colonic lumen, providing a rapid 3D visualization method, but is associated with anatomic distortion.” He observed that the most common cause for false-negative interpretations at both primary 2D and 3D virtual dissection search is perceptual error; and the most commonly missed fi nding was an adenoma of less than 1 cm on both visualizations. However, the researchers believe that false-negatives on 3D virtual dissection can be reduced with proper interpretative training on the application. Ü Molecular Imaging FDG pet/Ct outperforms whole-body mRI in staging cancer patients FDG PET/CT improves staging accuracy in cancer (colorectal, breast, lung cancer and lymphomas) patients compared with whole-body 3T MRI (WBMR), according to a study presented by Ettore Squillaci, MD., of the University of Rome. In comparing the accuracy of PET/CT with whole-body MRI in staging different malignant diseases, fused PET/CT proved significantly more accurate in assessing the overall TNM stage compared to CT alone, side-by-side CT plus PET and WBMR. The researchers found that of all 60 patients, 90 percent were correctly staged with PET/CT; 70 percent with side-by-side CT plus PET; 63 percent with CT alone and 60 percent with WBMR. No statistically significant difference could be detected between PET/CT and CT plus PET in assessing M-staging. Combined PET/CT had an impact on the treatment plan in three patients compared with whole-body MRI. the WRItING oN the WALL: SCIeNtIFIC poSteRS Advanced viz tool development aids whole-breast ultrasound efforts Whole-breast ultrasound offers the potential for CT-like clarity in breast imaging without the load of ionizing radiation while the volume of images from these exams poses a throughput issue for interpreting clinician workflow. Advanced visualization tools can assist with the deployment of whole-breast ultrasound in clinical practice because fatigue from interpreting a large volume of breast ultrasound images can contribute to oversights of masses, according to a team of scientists from Chunichi Hospital and the Nagoya Medical Center in Nagoya, Dokkyo Medical University in Mibu, and Gifu University in Gifu. They discovered that if an automated recognition system could extract skin, nipple, rib, fat, pectoralis and mammary gland from whole-breast ultrasound images, the results could be applied to a computer-assisted detection system and a computerized registration of other modality images. Their preliminary work proposed methods for extraction of skin and nipples from whole-breast ultrasound images. [ Canvys High Bright Color FP2080CHB ] high-use ﬂat-panel displays require conscientious QC “To prevent medical malpractice, quality control (QC) for luminance of highquality medical displays at PACS terminals is very important,” according to a team of researchers from Nagoya City University Hospital, Kanazawa University School of Health Sciences and Fujita Health University in Japan. The team investigated the correlation between the frequency of use and luminance degradation in heavily used displays for image interpretation in the department of radiology and the less-frequently-used displays at other departments. The displays were divided into two groups: the displays at the PACS workstations used for a considerable time each day in the radiology department; and display monitors that were used less frequently. The average cumulative hours of use for radiology displays were 144,880 hours, while those for other department displays were 2,192 hours. They observed that when the highest luminance became 350 candelas per meter squared (cd/m2) or less, luminance hardly recovered, even though calibration was carried out. The team’s research found that after about 20,000 hours of cumulative use, luminance had degraded to approximately 400 cd/ m2. HealthImaging.com January 2009 | Health Imaging & IT 17 http://RSNA360.HealthImaging.com http://www.HealthImaging.com

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of Health Imaging & IT - January 2009

Health Imaging & IT - January 2009 Contents The Enterprise News Update DR Breathes New Life into Radiography Radiology in the Spotlight Educational Sessions Keynote Addresses Tech Trends on the Exhibit Floor Imaging Tools Managing Technology People & Technology Reader's Resource

Health Imaging & IT - January 2009

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