Medical Imaging

Physicians utilize medical imaging to see inside the body to diagnose and treat patients. This includes computed tomography (CT), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), X-ray, ultrasound, fluoroscopy, angiography, and the nuclear imaging modalities of PET and SPECT.

Mechanical thrombectomy beats anticoagulation alone in STORM-PE
Highly anticipated trial data comparing mechanical thrombectomy to anticoagulation alone for intermediate- and high-risk pulmonary embolism showed that the more aggressive strategy improved outcomes.
Medicare MRI reimbursement has plummeted 77% since 2003, when adjusting for inflation
Exams are being delivered faster, thanks to abbreviated protocols, but experts contend insurers should not cut MRI pay because of such efficiencies.
Fewer radiologists are interpreting breast imaging exams, with key workforce implications
From 2013 to 2022, the percentage of rads submitting breast care claims to Medicare dropped from about 47% down to 34%.
Experts caution patients on the dangers of boutique fetal ultrasounds
Due to the elective, rather than diagnostic, nature of these exams, operators are not required to complete formal training or be registered if the scans are done in privately owned entities.
Rural hospitals band together to offer MRI services
Five Northern California critical access hospitals are banding together to share a mobile MRI unit across three counties.

Population-based genetic testing coupled with MRI makes economic sense, averts more cancer deaths

“These findings suggest that changing the genetic testing paradigm to population-based testing could prevent thousands of breast and ovarian cancers," experts wrote in JAMA.

MRI findings linked to cognitive issues in patients with long COVID 2 years post-infection

The CDC estimates that just under 7% of adults in the United States continue to struggle with symptoms of long COVID.

Video interview with Debra Monticciolo, MD, on the expansion of DBT and reducing breast imaging recall rates.

Breast tomosynthesis reduces recalls, could soon replace routine 2D mammography

Digital breast tomosythesis now makes up close to 50% of mammography systems in the U.S. "Tomo is going to replace just straight digital mammography simply because of the benefit of fewer recalls," explained Debra L. Monticciolo, MD.

MRI study reveals never-before-seen changes in the brain during pregnancy

While prior imaging studies have compared changes that occur in the brain before pregnancy and after childbirth, this latest analysis is the first to span multiple time points during the full gestational period.

CTC colonography colon cancer colonoscopy

ACR concerned pay cap on CT-based colon cancer screening could make service ‘untenable’

Medicare wants to limit the technical component for the exam to the HOPPS rate, which would represent an 81% reduction to the MPFS amount of $459.92.

The rapid rise of artificial intelligence (AI) has helped cardiologists, radiologists, nurses and other healthcare providers embrace precision medicine in a way that ensures more heart patients are receiving personalized care.

FDA clears AI platform for planning ahead of TAVR, other heart procedures

The cloud-based platform identifies and measures cardiac structures in CT scans.

Cardiac PET on the rise among U.S. cardiologists

SPECT is still the most common modality used to evaluate CAD patients, but cardiac PET is gaining more and more momentum.

Novel radiotracer could improve the diagnosis of interstitial lung disease

Researchers are hopeful that uptake of the molecular SPECT imaging agent will help providers more ably monitor disease progression.

Medical Imaging

Mechanical thrombectomy beats anticoagulation alone in STORM-PE

Medicare MRI reimbursement has plummeted 77% since 2003, when adjusting for inflation

Fewer radiologists are interpreting breast imaging exams, with key workforce implications

Experts caution patients on the dangers of boutique fetal ultrasounds

Rural hospitals band together to offer MRI services