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.

Deep learning automates head CT reformatting, bolstering workflow efficiencies
Manual processes for generating reformats are susceptible to variability, due to factors such as patient positioning, comfort and individual technologist preferences.
How to take your CCTA program to the next level
Changing society guidelines and insurance policies have resulted in more interest in CCTA. To help your CCTA program expand, one expert told Cardiovascular Business, it is important to remember the close relationship between cardiology and radiology.
Medicare policy sowing cancer screening confusion, American College of Radiology says
The college is urging the federal payment program to modify its policies to reflect expanded coverage for CT-based colorectal cancer screening.
AI algorithm effectively repurposes CT scans to screen for 2 key chronic diseases
Experts are hopeful that routine CT scans could serve the dual purpose of screening patients for both osteoporosis and heart disease.
Coroner calls for action after radiology staff scans the wrong patient, fails to catch mistake
A radiology department is in hot water following a case of mistaken identity that resulted in a delayed diagnosis.

FDA temporarily approves importation of a second foreign-labeled iodinated contrast media

Bracco Diagnostics, Inc has been given the go ahead by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to temporarily import Iomeron (iomeprol injection) into the U.S. market amid the ongoing iodinated contrast media shortage.

Left, coronary CT angiography of a vessel showing plaque heavy calcium burden. Right, image showing color code of various types of plaque morphology showing the complexity of these lesions. The right image was processed using the FDA cleared, AI-enabled plaque assessment from Elucid.

Cardiac CT soft plaque assessment may offer paradigm shift for coronary disease screening

New artificial intelligence software that can evaluate coronary CT scans to automatically assess soft plaques were by far the biggest technology advance discussed at the Society of Cardiovascular Computed Tomography (SCCT) 2022 meeting.

Iodine contrast being loaded into a contrast injector in preparation for a cardiac CT scan at Duly Health and Care in Lisle, Illinois. The contrast shortage is causing some healthcare organizations to postpone exams and procedures and ration contrast supplies. Photo by Dave Fornell

Substituting iodinated contrast media in patients with a history of ICM reactions reduces risk by 61%

“For patients with a prior ICM-induced hypersensitivity reaction, healthcare providers must balance the benefit of ICM reuse against the risk of a repeat reaction,” authors of a new meta-analysis published in Radiology said.

Generic CT contrast supplier pledges ‘immediate relief’ from shortage

A global tech and pharma vendor is set to inject U.S. healthcare with a set of generic contrast agents, the first of which will be an FDA-approved substitute for GE Healthcare’s Visipaque.

VIDEO: Top 6 takeaways from the Society of Cardiovascular CT 2022 meeting

Eric Williamson, MD, MSCCT, the 2021-2022 president of the Society of Cardiovascular Computed Tomography (SCCT) and professor of radiology at Mayo Clinic, shared his key takeaways from the SCCT 2022 conference.

Generic, FDA approved contrast agent set to hit the market in wake of nationwide shortage

On July 18 Fresenius Kabi announced that they are rolling out a line of generic contrast media products, starting immediately with Iodixanol Injection USP.

Contrast shortage update: FDA opens door for U.S. providers to order foreign-labeled Bayer contrast media

Per Bayer’s communications, the contrast agent is manufactured at the same site in Berlin, Germany as the Ultravist that is intended for U.S. markets, but due to its intended distribution abroad it lacks current FDA-approved labeling.

Imaging-based COVID study finds blood clots twice as likely with infection vs. vaccination

A retrospective analysis of cross-sectional venograms shows only 4.5% of a teaching hospital’s COVID-vaccinated patients had a clotting condition in early 2021. Meanwhile the rate for the unvaccinated was 10.1%.

Computed Tomography

Deep learning automates head CT reformatting, bolstering workflow efficiencies

How to take your CCTA program to the next level

Medicare policy sowing cancer screening confusion, American College of Radiology says

AI algorithm effectively repurposes CT scans to screen for 2 key chronic diseases

Coroner calls for action after radiology staff scans the wrong patient, fails to catch mistake