Dear AuntMinnieEurope Member,
Opponents of teleradiology argue that it slows down emergency care and may have a negative effect on quality. Also, most physicians prefer to deal with on-call radiologists whom they know and trust, the critics say.
But this argument is flawed, according to radiologists from Lyon, France. They've compared teleradiology with an on-call service in the emergency room (ER), and the former generally came out very well in their study. To read more, visit our PACS Digital Community, or click here.
New research presented this week suggests that digital tomosynthesis may eventually become the mammogram of the lung. Researchers from Cuneo, Italy, have screened more than 1,500 patients with a digital tomosynthesis unit, and they think the equipment can be used as a sort of triage tool for chest screening, with suspicious or more complex cases referred for further examination with low-dose CT. Go to our Digital X-Ray Community, or click here.
Uncertainty is continuing over whether to exempt MRI from EU rules on electromagnetic fields, and our columnist the Maverinck has some strong views on the subject -- he's ultracritical of the stance of politicians and bureaucrats. To read more, click here.
Imaging of the reconstructed breast can represent a major challenge, but once you understand how the surgery is done and how to recognize postprocedure complications, you can interpret the MR images better, says Dr. Vandana Dialani of the Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center in Boston. Get the story here.
Rapid assessment is vital for care of stroke patients, and German researchers have tested the idea of equipping an ambulance with a CT scanner that transmits patients' information to the hospital prior to their arrival. Visit our CT Digital Community, or click here.
The growth of image fusion and the wider availability of handheld and portable units are contributing to the increasing popularity of musculoskeletal ultrasound, and a group of leading European specialists has developed new guidelines about its appropriate clinical applications. Find out more here.
