May 2008 Blog Archive
Friday, May 30, 2008
Virtual Colonoscopy Patients Aren't Who They Should Be
The
virtual colonoscopy is used as a method of detecting colon cancer in its early stages in order to prevent the spread of the disease. Since colon cancer is a leading killer that takes the lives of a significant number of people each year, it is important to use this screening to reduce the devastation of the disease. Unfortunately
studies indicate that those people actually taking advantage of the availability of this screening are low-risk patients who don't need it as much as others may need it.
Of course, anyone who is considered to be of the appropriate age or at-risk situation for colon cancer should certainly get screening. But there are some people who are at higher risk that particularly need to be concerned about this issue and appear to be the ones who aren't getting the screening that they need (which of course further increases their risk of death from the disease).
Doctors have pointed out that what's essentially happening is that there is too much screening going on in the low-risk groups and too little screening going on in the high-risk groups. This means that the services of the doctors who perform these procedures aren't being channeled appropriately which is leading to higher rates of death from the disease than need be. Patient education is likely the best method of resolving this problem.
Question of the Day: What is causing low-risk patients to be more active in seeking out screening for colon cancer?photo link
Thursday, May 29, 2008
Emerging MRI Method For Cancer Detection
The MRI is used to detect a number of health problems in the body in order to prevent disease from spreading and becoming fatal. An emerging method of using the MRI could make it possible for the technology to be used to catch cancer in earlier stages than ever before.
To understand how the technology works, you have to have a little knowledge about how the body works. Specifically, you need to know that the human body has a bit of baking soda that occurs in it naturally. The levels of acidity for that natural substance change when cancer is present in the body.
The new MRI method uses imaging to actually look at the levels of acidity in the body without having to go into the body surgically. This has the potential to be used to determine if there is presence of cancer before the cancer has actually spread and become detrimental to the body. This is possible because the MRI measures both the structure and the function of the tissue.
Learn more
here.
Question of the Day: Will we start to see the MRI used to measure acidity levels in the body for the prevention of cancer?photo link
Wednesday, May 28, 2008
Mammography Screening Decreasing
For a long time, women have known that they needed to get annual mammograms after the age of forty in order to check for early stages of breast cancer. As a result of this widespread awareness, the number of women who get screened steadily climbed for many years. However, there has now
been shown to be a drop in the number of women getting screened.
The drop seems to be small but it's an issue of concerns to medical practitioners who work in this area. Early detection of breast cancer is crucial to stopping the spread of the disease and allowing the patient to survive through the ordeal. If women are less likely to get screened, the problem of breast cancer is likely to grow.
It is unclear what the reasons are that women are getting screened less. What's interesting is that this comes at a time when medical advances have found that women may want to be getting more screening, not less. For example, it is being recommended that some women get a
breast MRI in addition to the regular mammogram.
Question of the Day: What would cause rates of breast cancer screening to go down even as more advanced forms of screening for breast cancer are being developed?photo link
Tuesday, May 27, 2008
Global Study of Osteoporosis in Women Reveals Interesting Information
One of the most important screening exams that an individual can get done is the
bone density scan. This scan helps identify early signs of osteoporosis, a problem which plagues a large number of aging adults. Osteoporosis, left untreated, leads to brittle and broken bones which can ultimately lead to other serious (even fatal) health problems. As a result, it is highly important to detect the problem at its onset in order to make lifestyle changes that will limit the impact of the issue.
A
global study recently took a look at the way that osteoporosis is identified, prevented and treated in women around the world. The study revealed interesting information which suggests that women in all parts of the world should be encouraged to be more proactive in treating the problem through prevention by screening.
The study showed that twenty-five percent of women, on average, have experienced a bone fracture after the age of forty-five. Very few of the women studied were taking medications to prevent the problem of osteoporosis. The number of treated women was much lower for European women than for women in North America. This suggests that European women in particular should be getting an early diagnosis.
Question of the Day: What should be done to make sure that women around the world are getting bone density scans for osteoporosis?photo link
Monday, May 26, 2008
Annual Test Recommended in Addition to Colonoscopy
A large percentage of people are interested in getting regular screening for colorectal cancer. That's because colon cancer is one of the major reasons that people die from cancer in America and throughout the rest of the world. Colon cancer screening can identify that cancer before it becomes fatal.
Traditionally the colonscopy (and then the
virtual colonoscopy) was used to diagnose colon cancer in its early stages. The colonoscopy remains important to colon cancer screening but
studies indicate that it should be supplemented with an annual fecal test.
With the use of the fecal immunochemical test (FIT), there is a much better chance of detecting both cancerous and precancerous lesions at an early enough date to prevent problems with colon cancer. Studies showed that precancerous lesions could be detected up to a year-and-a-half earlier with the FIT test than with the coloscopy alone and that cancerous lesions were detectable over two years earlier.
The colonoscopy is generally not recommended to be done every year. In the years between the screening that is done for colon cancer this way, it is advisable to consider getting the annual FIT test. It's best to cover all your bases!
Question of the Day: Is the FIT test necessary if you get a colonoscopy every five years as recommended?photo link
Friday, May 23, 2008
New Buise-Detection Technology Could Improve Front-Line Medical Response
There have recently been advances made in the area of biomedical technology which have allowed for the development of bruise-detection equipment. This equipment can be easily used by professionals who are not trained in imaging to assess the seriousness of bruising. This means that it will be important to front-line clinicians who can prevent trauma in hospitals and medical centers by using the technology to identify problems before they become high-risk.
"The new, single-exposure imaging tool could significantly improve point-of-care medical and forensic imaging by empowering front line clinicians with no specialized training to detect and assess, in real-time, the severity of bruises and erythema, regardless of patient skin pigmentation or available lighting." (source)
These types of medical advances are important not only for the immediate purpose that they serve but also because of the implications that they have for the future. Putting more immediate preventive care in the hands of non-trained professionals through the use of improved easy-to-use technology is definitely a step in the right direction in terms of patient care.
As hospitals become overcrowded, it becomes necessary to allow other professionals in the setting more ability to work directly with patients. Giving these people the power to use imaging technology that provides important medical information is going to make disease prevention and treatment more efficient and effective.
Question of the Day: What purposes do you think bruise-detection imaging technology can serve?photo link
Thursday, May 22, 2008
Advances Made in Detecting Colon Cancer
People generally seem to know that it's important to get screened for colon cancer. This leading killer can be stopped in its tracks if its caught early enough and treated. Unfortunately, many people remain so afraid of the procedure to test for colon cancer that they fail to take the proper precautions to prevent the disease from developing. This may change as advances are being made in colon cancer screening.
Advances have been made in different areas of the colonoscopy which make it more comfortable for the patient. For example, there have been advances made in the area of sedation when performing a colonoscopy. There have also been advances in the treatment itself which make it safer, more efficient and less uncomfortable. Much of these advances have been done through the assistance of computers (even in the area of sedation!)
Learn more about these advances
here.
photo link
Wednesday, May 21, 2008
Medicare Considering Virtual Colonoscopy Coverage
Colon cancer is a leading killer of people in America today. Although there are many different ways to screen for colon cancer, the most popular is the virtual colonoscopy. This method of imaging is easy on the patient in comparison with other options and provides a high quality level of results.
Unfortunately, not everyone can afford to get the virtual colonoscopy to prevent the spread of colon cancer. That's because Medicare currently doesn't cover this procedure. However, that could be about to change.
A comment session on virtual colonoscopy has been opened so that Medicare professionals can assess whether or not to add the screening to the list of procedures that they will cover. They are seeking information and opinions from doctors and others who have an interest in the topic. They will use this information to determine if the virtual colonoscopy is something which should be paid for by Medicare. That decision should come before February of next year.
Learn more
here.
Question of the Day: Should Medicare cover the cost of a virtual colonoscopy?
photo link
Tuesday, May 20, 2008
Imaging Experts Should Invest in 3D Technology
3D technology can be immensely helpful to imaging experts when properly used according to a
new report about the issue. The report shows that clinicians and others in the medical field expect 3D technology to be used in imaging. However, it also showed that the technology needs to be properly used *or* it significantly diminishes the value of having it. This makes sense, what good is great technology if you can''t use it right?
The report revealed information about the fact that radiologists are required to provide more than just written information to clinicians and others with whom they work. They really need to provide great visuals that enhance the information that they are offering. Failure to do this has the potential to alienate others in the industry.
The main key to making sure that this happens is to invest in 3D technology and to invest in a management team to properly operate and oversee that technology. It is less important to have every single individual on a team trained to use the technology perfectly than it is to make sure that there is a management group in place which can monitor the use of all of this type of equipment.
Question of the Day: Is 3D technology a necessity for preventive imaging today?photo link
Monday, May 19, 2008
Radiologists Should Work WithPathologists and IT Folks
The nature of our world today is such that each different sector of society holds information which can be useful to other sectors. When those sectors cooperate well with one another, the amount of collective energy increases and society benefits.
In terms of radiology, one of the best industries to collaborate with might be the Information Technology sector. Imaging techniques are computer-based tools that can be enhanced through assistance from people who work in the IT sector and who are therefore famiiar with advanced computing.
More importanty, radiologists can use the IT link to communicate more effectively with pathologists. Pathologists and radiologists approach imaging differently. Pathologists are more specific in their focus and may be more detailed in certain areas of their work; sharing information could allow both parties to benefit.
Learn more
here.
Question of the Day: How can IT folks be used to enhance the communication and information sharing between radiologists and pathologists?photo link
Friday, May 16, 2008
Human Imaging Technology Used on Animals
There is an interesting cycle that takes place in the world of medicine. Much of the research that is done to create medical advances for humans is tested first on other animals. The information is then used to create safe and efficient medicine for people. But, in turn, the medical advances that benefit humans can then also be used to improve the quality of life for animals. This has been the case with advances in
imaging technology.
Take, for example, the case of imaging tests that are available for horses that are involved in horse racing. This issue
came to light recently when a horse competing at the Kentucky Derby suffered serious injuries that ultimately required the animal to be euthanized. People with concerns about that issue started addressing the fact that more preventive medical care needs to be used when dealing with these animals.
Just a few of the preventive imaging tools that are regularly used on humans but which can be used on horses (and other animals) include CAT scans,
MRI scans, digital radiography and ultrasonography. These are tools that were designed (and are improved) for the benefit of humans. However, they can be implemented in the care of our pets. Some say it's the least we can do to give back to the animal population which has helped bring so many medical advances our way.
Question of the Day: What do you think about the use of preventive imaging technology on horses and other animals?photo link
Thursday, May 15, 2008
New MRI Analysis May Detect Brain Damage Caused by Car Accidents
When you get into a serious car accident, there are any number of things which may happen to your body. One of the things which is less common but very frightening is that the car collision can cause brain damage. Even worse, it can cause damage to the nerves in the brain which is so subtle that the victim may not realize at first that there is a problem.
Traditional imaging tests used on people who have been involved in car accidents are not sufficient to notice this type of brain damage. However it may be possible to use these same tests but to look at them in a different way in order to identify the presence of this type of injury.
Research has shown that it is possible to use the traditional
MRI scan to assess this type of brain injury. For the patient, the experience is the same as undergoing any other MRI. However, the doctor uses the additional assistance of a specific type of mathetmatical analysis called diffusion tensor tractography. This analysis allows the doctor to determine whether brain injury of this type has occurred.
This could be an important medical finding for society. It doesn't require the use of any expensive new technology and yet solves a problem in an area that has been medically lacking.
Learn more
here.
Question of the Day: What other injuries do you suppose could be treated simply by looking at imaging technology in a new way?photo link
Wednesday, May 14, 2008
Weighing the Risk of the Full Body Scan
The
full body scan is an important medical tool for diagnosing and preventing disease. However, there are known to be radiation risks which are of concern to those people getting a total body scan. Doctors and their patients must carefully weigh the risk of radiation exposure with the risk of undetected disease when determining whether or not a full body scan is in the best interest of the patient.
One
recent study assessed the overall risk to the adult patient when getting a full body PET/CT scan. The study showed that there was less than a two percent cancer incidence caused by the use of the full body scan. This is considered to be a risk that is minimal but one that patients should be aware of when getting a full body scan.
In many cases, the patient may seek to avoid the risk by using different types of imaging other than the full body scan. A qualified preventive imaging doctor can advise the patient as to which areas of the body should be screened for maintaining optimum health while keeping radiation exposure low.
Question of the Day: How would you make the decision about whether or not to risk radiation exposure in order to prevent disease?photo link
Tuesday, May 13, 2008
Radiologists Need Training to Properly Use Computer Radiography Software
As medical technology gets more and more advanced, we are going to be able to leave a lot of the hard work to the machines and allow medical technicians to engage in more attentive care to their patients. However, the machines are only going to be as good as the people using them can make them be. In other words, technicians who want to rely on medical equipment for tests like preventive imaging are going to need to make sure that they have the skills necessary for this equipment to be properly used.
One area where we are seeing an example of this is in the growing use of computer radiography and digital radiography equipment in hospitals and other medical facilities.
One study has shown that there were a significant number of problems in the mis-use of this technology. One major problem was that poor positioning of patients led to an inability of the computer to properly read the image. The images were therefore rejected. A technician with experience in the proper placement of the patient could have avoided this problem and the machine would have worked as it was supposed to.
Question of the Day: How is advanced technology limited by the human factor in the medical equation?photo link
Monday, May 12, 2008
MRI Advances Could Speed Up Technology
The
MRI is a terrific imaging tool that is able to provide important diagnostic information to doctors and their patients. Unfortunately, most patients don't like getting the MRI scan. It's not a painful procedure but it's one that requires holding still for long periods of time which can be uncomfortable for some patients, especially those who are in a position to be particularly worried about the results of the exam. New advances in the technology have now been made which may speed up the process and make it much more efficient and easy on patients.
The new technology is fairly complex but it boils down to changes in the way that the imaging process takes place. It relies on changes in temperature which ultimately allows for a much stronger signal to take place which means that imaging can occur at a significantly faster pace than before without compromising the quality of the images. To do so this, the standard MRI technology has been combined with a related field of technology (nuclear magnetic resonance, NMR) to develop a new machine.
Learn more
here.
Question of the Day: Would you be more comfortable getting an MRI scan if you knew the process would be a quick one?photo link
Friday, May 09, 2008
Non-Invasive Procedures Best for Colon Cancer
Colon cancer is one of the leading killers of people around the world so it's of utmost importance that care is given to both the prevention and treatment of this disease. It has been found over time that it is possible to use minimally inviasve procedures in both prevention and treatment to increase the comfort of the patient without compromising the patient's health.
In terms of prevention, there has been a big shift around the world from the use of traditional colonscopy for screening to the less-invasive procedure of
virtual colonoscopy. This has been beneficial in multiple ways, not the least of which has been that more people are willing to get the necessary screening as a direct result of the fact that the virtual colonscopy is considerably more comfortable for the patient.
In terms of treatment, it has
recently been found that it is possible to use less invasive forms of surgery to eliminate the tumors associated with colon cancer. In the past there had been concern that less invasive procedures posed long-term risks to the patients but new data reveals that this is not the case.
Question of the Day: Do minimally invasive procedures make you more interested in getting tested for the presence of colon cancer?photo link
Thursday, May 08, 2008
American College of Radiology Educates Congress About Imaging
One of the things that you frequently hear complained about in America is that the actions taken by legislators don't reflect the true needs of the people in America today. This sentiment has been heard echoed in the preventive health industry as the budget for radiology imaging has been cut again and again over the years. However, it doesn't do a whole lot of good to complain about the problem. According to the American College of Radiology, it makes a lot more sense to work on educating legislators about the issue so that they have motivation to take action.
That was precisely the topic at this week's Radiology Business Management Association (RBMA) meeting. People in the industry who are specifically working on educating Congress about the importance of continued funding for radiology spoke about their experiences in providing this education. They revealed statistics that seem to indicate that Congress is listening to what they have to say. This bodes well for the future funding and development of additional preventive health care throughout the nation.
Learn more
here.
Question of the Day: Who has the responsibility of educating legislators about the importance of imaging technology?
photo link
Wednesday, May 07, 2008
Correlation Between Coronary Artery Disease and Osteoporosis
Those people who have reason to get a
coronary angiography (or
CT angiography) should also think about getting a
bone density scan. Likewise, those people who shows signs of osteoporosis may want to ask their doctors about getting a CT Angiography to check for coronary artery disease. That's because a new study reveals that there appears to be a correlation between the existence of obstructive coronary artery disease and the existence of signs of osteoporosis.
It is unclear to researchers why there would be a correlation between these two diseases. They have reviewed the use of common medications, such as hormone replacement therapy, and have not found that to be a factor in this correlation. Additional studies will need to be completed before doctors are able to determine what the link is here. However, it's something to be aware of as a patient (or as a medical practitioner) in order to be able to get the screening you need to keep yourself safe from both types of disease.
Learn more
here.
Question of the Day: Would you be more inclined to get a bone density scan first or a CT Angiography first?photo link
Tuesday, May 06, 2008
Computer Aided Detection Improving for Virtual Colonoscopy
One of the most important preventive imaging tests that is regularly done is the screening for colon cancer. And one of the most useful innovations was the development of the
virtual colonoscopy which made this screening more efficient and easier on the patient, thereby increasing the likelihood that patients will get this testing done. The next step is to make the virtual colonoscopy even more effective, a step which requires developing and improving the computer-aided detection (CAD) software which is used
CAD software is used to assist the doctor in confirming his diagnosis. The computer scans and assess digital images in order to highlight and emphasize certain areas in the scan. The doctor can use this information to double-check his or her initial assessment of the testing. CAD software is a relatively new technology which is still being improved.
A
new study shows that CAD software can indeed be very helpful to the doctor who is studying virtual colonoscopy scans. The study revealed that the CAD technology was capable of studying both cleansed and uncleansed, tagged and untagged images in order to determine if there were cancerous polyps in the image. The software isn't perfect; there were more false positives than doctors would like to see. However it's a good step in the right direction for using computer imaging to support a doctor's analysis.
Question of the Day: In what other imaging procedures do you believe CAD software is most useful?
photo link
Monday, May 05, 2008
Osteoporosis Genes Help With Screening
One of the most common preventive imaging scans that is done is the
bone density scan, a procedure which allows people to check for early warnings signs of osteoporosis in order to prevent this disease of aging that plagues such a great percentage of the population. Those scans may now be assisted by additional potential screening made possible by the identification of two different genes related to osteoporosis.
Two different proteins have been identified in the body that are likely to indicate risk of osteoporosis if they are both present in the body at the same time. This was the case for twenty percent of the population studied by researchers who were reviewing the genes related to osteoporosis.
The authors say: "These alleles can be measured with near-perfect precision and without bias years before the age at which fractures tend to occur - which could provide ample lead-time for preventive measures. Eventually, a panel of genetic markers could be used in addition to environmental risk factors to identify individuals who are most at risk for osteoporotic fractures." (source)
This would not be a replacement for the bone density scan but instead would be a supplemental tool used for better preventive health as people begin to age into the years during which osteoporosis becomes a serious issue.
Question of the Day: What do you see as the best methods of preventing osteoporosis?
photo link
Friday, May 02, 2008
Are You Sure You Got Health Screening?
An interesting new study reveals the frightening fact that many women believe that they have had preventive health screening which they probably didn't actually have done. The study discovered that a significant number of black women believe that they have had screening in the past for breast cancer, cervical cancer and colon cancer. Their medical records indicate that they did not have this kind of screening.
There are several issues of concern resulting from this study. They include:
- The possibility that these women did not understand the medical procedures that were taking place at the time that they believed they were getting health screening.
- The possibility that a significant number of medical records are inaccurate for this population.
- The possibility that these women are failing to prevent disease as a result of the fact that they believe they are getting screening that isn't taking place or isn't being properly recorded.
It is important for all patients to make sure that they know what is going on during their annual doctor exams. It is also important to make sure to keep your own accurate medical records of all procedures that have taken place.
Learn more
here.
Question of the Day: What do you think is causing the discrepancy between memory and reality in these preventive screening cases?
photo link
Thursday, May 01, 2008
Cell Phones to Bring Imaging to Third World
One of the major disparities that we've seen in the use of imaging procedures is that it's a medical tool used primarily in more afflluent areas. Although the gap has gone down in America (both low-income and high-income Americans now have access to imaging technology), it remains large when looking at the global landscape. However, researchers at UC Berkeley might have found a solution to closing that gap.
Most third world countries do not have access to the important medical imaging which could assist them in early diagnosis and prevention of disease. There have been programs implemented in the past to donate medical imaging equipment to these countries. However, the cost of upkeep and repair of the equipment has made those efforts fruitless in the long run.
UC Berkeley researchers say that there is an alternative. Cell phones can be used by doctors in these countries to allow them to receive imaging information.
"Cell phones, after collecting data from a data acquisition device, can be used to upload raw data to the hub that will be converted into an image. The cell phone would then act as a display after the server sends the image back to it."
Third world cell phones are increasingly common so it is feasible to think that this technology could work. Learn more about it
here.
Question of the Day: Does the cell phone as a medical imaging tool sound like it makes sense for bringing preventive care to third world countries?photo link
