The sonographer's experience level is "critical" in screening patients at risk of developing hepatocellular carcinoma, doctors reported in the American Journal of Roentgenology.

Thoracic experts' re-reading of CT scans initially performed in the ED often resulted in additional imaging utilization.

Using CT to assess muscle mass may be particularly useful for spotting asymptomatic individuals at risk for arterial plaque buildup, experts explained.

“We expect that we’re going to see increased morbidity and mortality due to the fact that these patients weren’t able to get their routine imaging,” MGH experts cautioned.

"By looking at the mammograms from the perspective of the radiologist, the technologist is more likely to obtain an additional image to avoid an unnecessary recall," experts explained this week.

The update is part of a slew of changes in the Medicare Hospital Outpatient Prospective Payment System final rule. 

The new research spells good news for the future of breast imaging, experts noted in the European Journal of Radiology.

Providers rely on radiology reports when deciding to transfer patients to tertiary care centers, which may rack up unnecessary healthcare dollars.