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Friday, August 07, 2009
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Gallbladder Scan
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There are many diagnostic scans available to help determine the source of medical problems and to assess the best treatment options. A gallbladder scan is suggested for patients whose symptoms (such as jaundice) may be the cause of a dysfunction in the gallbladder. During the test, a radioactive fluid is injected into the arm vein. The scanner can then detect how the fluid is circulating through the body, liver, gallbladder, and bile ducts. The test takes about 2 hours, with the participant lying very still. After the fluid is dispersed in the body, a cholecystokinin will be injected to stimulate the gallbladder. Pictures will be taken during the scan to assess if the gallbladder if functioning properly.
According to the Examiner, "the results are generally given in a percentage, as in the percentage of solution that is released in the time given. Most doctors feel that anything below 35%-40% is a sign of gallbladder dysfunction, with 70%-75% being normal." After assessing the results, physicians may choose to operate and remove the gallbladder if they deem necessary.
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Thursday, August 06, 2009
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Veteran Lung Scan
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Over 500 New Mexico veterans have signed on for a new program to scan for early detection of lung cancer. Biomoda Inc, the New Mexico Department of Veterans Services, and the New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology are all involved in this state-funded screening based on new technology by Biomoda. The veteran participants are screened with Biomoda's CyPath(r) technology and then the results are compared to CT scans and PAP stains.
"This study will help us move the CyPath(r) technology closer to FDA approval and commercialization, bringing a non-invasive, accurate, and inexpensive tool for detecting cancer to market. The health benefits of the Biomoda diagnostic are obvious and have worldwide implications" explained the president of Biomoda.
Over 100 of the participants have already been screened. Veterans and the armed forces have an increased risk of developing lung cancer. One purpose of the study is to spread awareness to veterans of the importance for early detection of the disease and hopefully find a more efficient method to do so.
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Wednesday, August 05, 2009
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Breast CT Scan
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A new CT Scan used to detect cancerous breast tumors is currently being tested as an alternative to a traditional mammogram. For the test, women lay on their stomach with their breasts placed within two holes in the scanning table. The CT scanners rotate around the breasts from underneath the table. Women participants have noted that this is more comfortable position and scanning method than a mammogram.
The scan is being tested at UC Davis and the "breast CT is still experimental for diagnosis" says the research leader to US News & World Report. More tests need to be conducted before widespread use of this new scanning technology.
However, there are some drawbacks. The test could not be used by women with small breasts that cannot drop down in the specified holes. Also, tumors that are not close to the nipple may not be able to be detected from this type of CT scan. These are issues being tested and more research will be conducted in the coming months
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Tuesday, August 04, 2009
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CEO Saved By Own Scan
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The CEO of Mountain Vista Medical Center decided to participate in a discounted scan promotion his hospital was running to show support. In truth, it may have saved his life. The hospital was running a promotion on a CT scan called HeartView for under a hundred dollars. Once scanned, the CEO was shocked to know he had an abnormality in his aorta.
Not knowing of this childhood heart condition, the CEO had calcium deposits on his arteries and he was at high risk for heart disease. Now he is managing his weight and watching his blood pressure. He says the scan saved his life, and has even had his whole family scanned as a result. Such scans can detect heart related issues early, making treatment easier and more effective.
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Monday, August 03, 2009
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Doctors Performing Own Scans
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Many doctors today are investing in diagnostic imaging technology to have within their own office. As a result, the number of self-referred scans has increased in the past few years. Patients are being scanned in their physician's office immediately instead of waiting for a diagnostic center. Although this is more convenient for the patient, many critics believe that self-referral needs to be regulated.
The Washington Post found that one Iowa urologist increased from 8 scans prescribed to 55 scans. "The increase came in the months after the urologists bought their own CT scanner. Instead of referring patients to radiologists, the doctors started conducting their own imaging -- and drawing insurance reimbursements for each of those patients."
Another criticism of self-referral is the health risks associated. New studies show there may be a cancer risk if too many radiation scans are prescribed. The new democratic healthcare reform is addressing many issues and there may be more regulation in years to come.
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Friday, July 31, 2009
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Scanning for the Future
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A SPECT (single-photon emission computed tomography) scan shows a 3-dimensional view of all heart arteries. A new study suggests that using the SPECT scan with a calcium scan provides the best information for physicians to diagnose future health risks in patients with coronary disease. Adding a calcium scan may provide vital information for treatment options.
"The combination of myocardial SPECT and coronary artery calcium scoring could help identify those who are at highest risk for subsequent fatal cardiac events in a long-term outcome," says study leader Dr. Haker to AJC News.
Patients with a higher calcium score (CAC) were at the highest risk for future health issues, such as having bypass surgery. Use of both the calcium score and the SPECT scan helped physician correctly diagnose a patient's risk of such health issues. The more information a doctor is given, the easier it is for them to tailor treatment to the patient according to their risk level.
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Thursday, July 30, 2009
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MRI Helps Cancer Research
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A brain MRI may have a new use in determining the effectiveness of certain brain cancer drugs. The drug in question is Avastin, a FDA approved drug for that is used to shrink brain tumors by cutting off blood supply to the tumor. Patients taking drug were given a brain MRI to examine their tumor.
"By using MRI to measure the amount of water motion within the tumor, the researchers were able to predict with 70 percent accuracy which tumors would progress within six months and which would not" reports AJC News.
Those patients with greater water motion have the highest rate of success in using Avastin. Knowing if a patient will respond to such drug allows doctors to personalize therapy to each patient. Tumors that are found to be progressing will be given harsher treatment, while those responding to Avastin would receive a weaker treatment. Patients can use this brain MRI to save themselves from the intense side effects related to unneeded harsher treatment.
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Wednesday, July 29, 2009
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Military CT Scans
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CT Scans are used for a variety of purposes to diagnose medical conditions. However, there is another use for these scans which the military has been using. Military officers perform "virtual autopsies" on deceased soldiers in Iraq for research purposes.
"Such records of the dead are unprecedented and have provided a plethora of data. Improvements such as increasing the length of intravenous tubing to accommodate the more robust American troops, or creating upper body armor to protect soldiers in commonly-targeted areas of the body during battle - have been made using the information garnered from such virtual autopsies" reports DotMed News.
The CT Scans are used by the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) since 2004. Although these scans are not used to help cure illness, since the soldiers have already passed, they do help pinpoint areas of the body in an x-ray that normal autopsies may have missed. These machines are being used in a variety of new ways as technology makes it easier for such scans to occur outside of a medical office.
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Tuesday, July 28, 2009
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MRI Advances
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There is now hope that those with non-pacemaker-dependent implantable cardioverter defibrillators (ICD) may be able to use an MRI scan. Up until now, patients with cardioverter defibrillators were warned against MRI scans due to the high level of magnetism. Now, a new study shows that these ICDs may be able to withstand an MRI without disruption of the heart rhythm or rate.
"The number of implanted pacemakers and ICDs, as well as the number of devices for cardiac resynchronization therapy, are going up every year. People are getting older, and the older they get, the greater the likelihood they're going to need an MRI exam" states the study leader to Heartwire.
The study still warns ICD users that extra precaution must be taken to monitor the heart during the exam. MRI exams should only be used on patients were the benefits outweigh the potential risks. Technology is growing at a fast pace to keep up with the growing demand for such tests. The baby-boomer generation is getting older, and with that comes a large demand for efficient tests that are compatible with heart monitoring implants.
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Monday, July 27, 2009
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Uncommon Condition Diagnosed by Scan
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A boy in Mumbia was recently diagnosed with a very rare disease after a CT Scan of his lung found that half of his stomach had migrated into his lung cavity. The condition, called hiatus hernia, is rare and is very dangerous if left untreated.
"We took him to several doctors when he started having persistent colds after six months of age. All these years, he never had any serious problem. About 10 days ago he had severe chest pain that refused to subside despite medication" stated his parents to DNA India.
After being misdiagnosed with pneumonia, his symptoms did not stop and his parents took him for a lung scan. Doctors were able to operate and pull down half of his stomach. They were also able to narrow the cavity between the stomach and lungs so the problem could never occur again.
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