Computed Tomography

Computed tomography (CT) is a fast and accurate imaging modality often used in emergency settings and trauma imaging. CT scans, with or without (or both) iodinated contrast are frequently used to image the brain, chest, abdomen and pelvis, but also have post-imaging reconstructive capabilities for detailed orthopedic imaging. It is now a standard imaging modality in emergency rooms to quickly assess patients. CT uses a series of X-ray images shot as the gantry rotates around the patient. Computer technology assembles these into into a dataset volume than can be slices on any access, or advanced visualization software can extract specific parts of the anatomy for study. Find more content specific to cardiac CT.

VIDEO: 3 challenges for Society of Cardiovascular Computed Tomography members in 2023

Society of Cardiovascular Computed Tomography (SCCT) President Brian Ghoshhajra, MD, detailed three challenges he is making to SCCT members in the coming year. 

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For prostate cancer diagnostics, 7T MRI has next to nothing on ultrasound tomography

In an initial comparison study involving 10 patients with high-risk prostate cancer, ultrasound tomography (UT) soundly beat 7-Tesla multiparametric MRI on detection sensitivity, 85.7% to 65.3%.

$30K up for grabs in new AI challenge from RSNA

Americans suffer more than 1 million fractured vertebrae every year. RSNA’s latest AI competition may help advance precision detection and classification of this unfortunately common source of pain and potential debilitation.

Noteworthy FDA approvals of the week: Ceiling-mounted CT angiography, AI for brain-adjacent bleeds

Two companies serving medical imagers just had products cleared for marketing in the U.S.

Ron Blankstein, MD, MSCCT, associate director, cardiovascular imaging program, director, cardiac computed tomography, Brigham and Women's Hospital, and professor of medicine, Harvard Medical School, was a co-author on the ACC 2021 Chest Pain Guidelines,[1] which now lists coronary computed tomography angiography (CCTA or CTA) as a 1A level recommendation for front line imaging. He gave an overview of the guidelines during the 2022 Society of Cardiovascular CT (SCCT) meeting in July. #SCCT2022

VIDEO: The role of cardiac CT in the 2021 chest pain guidelines

Ron Blankstein, MD, associate director of the cardiovascular imaging program and director of the cardiac computed tomography program for Brigham and Women's Hospital, was a co-author on the ACC 2021 Chest Pain Guidelines, which now lists coronary computed tomography angiography (CCTA or CTA) as a 1A level recommendation for frontline imaging. 

Ischemic stroke CT imaging. Images courtesy of RSNA

Experts highlight early ischemic signs on CT that can estimate onset of stroke

Experts involved in the research believe their findings could help to guide providers in making treatment decisions. 

CT coronary artery calcium (CAC) scoring, also known as the Agatston score, to assess the risk a patient has for future heart attacks and help decide if a patient requires statins.

VIDEO: Current guidelines for the use of CT calcium scoring in preventive cardiology

Mike Shapiro, DO, MD, director of the Center for Prevention of Cardiovascular Disease at Wake Forest University, discusses the current guidelines for computed tomography (CT) calcium scoring as a screening test to assess heart attack risk.

AI cardiology Cleerly soft plaque assessments

Cardiology startup raises $192M for AI-powered imaging assessments

The company has now raised $248M in total to help develop, commercialize and market its FDA-cleared technology.