MRI Offers New Option For Surveillance Of Great Vessel Stents

According to a new study, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) can be used alone effectively for conducting routine surveillance of some great vessel stents, such as vena cavae and aorta, which are frequently used for treating congenital cardiac defects.  The study took place at the Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children in London. Its results will be highlighted in the October issue of the American Journal of Roentgenology. MRI is one of the most significant medical imaging techniques, as it offers highly-detailed images in a non-invasive and radiation-free procedure.

MRI Offers New Option For Surveillance Of Great Vessel Stents

According to a new study, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) can be used alone effectively for conducting routine surveillance of some great vessel stents, such as vena cavae and aorta, which are frequently used for treating congenital cardiac defects.  The study took place at the Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children in London. Its results will be highlighted in October issue of the American Journal of Roentgenology. MRI is one of the significantly useful medical imaging techniques, as it offers highly-detailed images in a non-invasive and radiation-free procedure.

Cardiac Imaging Breakthrough To Visualize Myocardial Scar And Heart Vasculature Simultaneously

A new imaging technique will be available soon for use by cardiologists and surgeons that serves to improve outcomes for patients requiring pacemakers, bypass surgery or angioplasties. The new imaging tool has been developed as the result of the research conducted by Dr. James White and his colleagues at The University of Western Ontario. This technique provides a single, 3D high-resolution image of the heart viewing both its vasculature and the presence of scar tissue within the muscle. This novel imaging was designed using a 3-Tesla MRI at Western's Robarts Research Institute. The findings are published on-line in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology: Cardiovascular Imaging.

Warning Labels Updates on MRI Gadolinium-Based Contrast Agents

Gadolinium-based MRI contrast agents have been proving to carry great risk of nephrogenic systemic fibrosis (NSF). This has caused the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to announce warning labels updates on three of these agents. The three agents are Magnevist, sold by Bayer Healthcare Pharmaceuticals of Wayne, NJ; Omniscan, marketed by GE Healthcare of Chalfont St. Giles, U.K.; and Optimark, sold by Covidien of Dublin, Ireland.

Private In-House Imaging Services Raise Concerns About Increased Costs

There has been a significant debate whether doctors should have in-house medical imaging systems in their private clinics or not. Recently, Dr. John Finkenberg, an orthopedic surgeon in San Diego, and five of his colleagues installed an MRI system in their clinic instead of sending their patients to undergo diagnostic imaging procedures in other imaging centers. Dr. Finkenberg said that after the installation of the new MRI unit, the quality of the provided service has improved as technicians rapidly process images and provide patients with immediate results.

Sodium MRI images To Detect Osteoarthritis

According to a recent study, MRI can be used for diagnosing osteoarthritis when it is in its early stages. Researchers from New York University designed a creative method after reviewing the pathogenesis of the disease. The method depends on checking the concentration of sodium ions in cartilage, and the study is highlighted in the Journal of Magnetic Resonance. It was found that the levels of sodium ions, widely distributed in the body, are indicating the location of glycosaminogycans (GAGs) in cartilaginous tissues. GAGs are compounds that are used for construction of cartilage in addition to several other procedures inside the body.

3D MRI Offers New Options In Pediatric Imaging At Stony Brook Medical Center

MRI has been one of the significantly important medical imaging techniques. The procedure offers highly-detailed images with high safety profile as it does not involve radiation exposure. More advances and new applications for MRI are appearing every day. For instance, Jeffrey C. Hellinger, M.D., a pediatric imaging specialist at Stony Brook University Medical Center, mentioned that 3D MRI is a new medical imaging technique that can be used for visualizing fetal anatomy and detecting disorders in the womb in various clinical conditions. 3D MRI is highlighted in July-August issue of Applied Radiology.

Whole Body MRI To Detect Child Abuse In Infants

According to a new study, whole-body magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) can be used for detecting child abuse in infants. MRI is well-known for its accuracy and high-detailed images. The study appears in the September issue of the American Journal of Roentgenology. Whole-body MRI features high safety profile as the technique does not involve using radiation to generate images; instead, it uses a magnetic field, radio frequency pulses, and a computer to produce its images of internal organs, bones and other musculoskeletal structures. Diagnosing abuse depends mainly on detecting skeletal injuries, along with using high-quality skeletal surveys to detect any high-specificity fractures that might be seen in cases of infant abuse. However, subcutaneous tissue and muscle injuries are not currently evaluated with imaging techniques in living children.

New MRI Advances To Assess Prostate Cancer Severity

Researchers at Rutgers University are working to develop new diagnostic modalities that can help identify precisely the severity of prostate cancer through analyzing Magnetic Resonance Images (MRI) and spectra of the patient prostate gland. This may help physicians while select ing the proper treatment according to the condition; some patients may need aggressive treatment while others need only watchful waiting which may be much better. Moreover, physicians may decide to delay or even cancel invasive procedures such as taking biopsies in patients with low-grade tumors.

MRI Shows Links Between Social Stress And Increased Inflammation

During a recent study, MRI was used to detect the relation between exposure to social stress and inflammation. MRI findings noted that individuals with higher neural sensitivity to social stress tend to show physical increases in inflammatory activity. The study was conducted by researchers from UCLA. The study is highlighted in the online edition of the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.

GE to Develop Pediatric MRI Systems

GE Healthcare, a leading company providing medical imaging systems and healthcare IT solutions, along with Cincinnati Children’s Medical Center and the Davis Heart and Lung Institute of The Ohio State University, was awarded a fund of $1 million for developing magnetic resonance imaging MRI and other imaging devices for the “Pediatrics Population” project. By participating in this project, GE confirms its commitment to healthymagination, which is deployed to deliver new technologies and solutions to more people.

Performed CT And MRI Scans In US During 2010, Reduced

According to reports from several diagnostic imaging facilities, the number of CT and MRI scans performed in the United States in 2010 is same or even less than the number of scans conducted in 2009. Tom Cabot, vice president of Arlington Medical Resources, a medical-data company, mentioned that the numbers of CT and MRI scans performed in 2009 throughout the US are declining in 2010.

http://www.healthimaginghub.com/article/1782-performed-ct-and-mri-scans-in-us-during-2010-reduced.html

Radiology-Readiness Program Provides Radiology Systems For Developing Countries

Advanced medical imaging systems, such as computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), play a significant role in providing high leveled healthcare services. Realizing this fact, a team of radiologists and humanitarians has been working in the Radiology-Readiness program, which aims to support developing countries by offering medical imaging systems, in addition to training and maintenance to help in improving healthcare service. The team conducting the Radiology-Readiness program includes members of RAD-AID, a global nonprofit network that started the program in October 2008.

http://www.healthimaginghub.com/article/1719-radiology-readiness-program-provides-radiology-systems-for-developing-countries.html

Performed MRI And CT Scans Vary Between Provinces In Canada

According to data from the Canadian Institute for Health Information (CIHI), diagnostic imaging procedures, such as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and computed tomography (CT) are used in certain provinces in Canada more than the others. For instance, in 2009, MRI scans carried out in Alberta or New Brunswick were more than those conducted in Prince Edward Island (P.E.I.) or Newfoundland and Labrador by almost the double. The data reported that 54 MRI scans per 1,000 people in Alberta and 51 per 1,000 in New Brunswick against 23 per 1,000 in P.E.I. and 24 per 1,000 in Newfoundland and Labrador.

http://www.healthimaginghub.com/article/1642-performed-mri-and-ct-scans-vary-between-provinces-in-canada.html

Medtronic's Ensura MRI-Compatible Pacemaker Receives CE Mark

Medtronic, Inc., a major company providing cardiac pacemakers, announced that its Ensura MRI SureScan pacing system has received a CE (Conformité Européenne) mark.  Ensura MRI is a pacemaker that can be used safely by patients who undergo MRI scans. Ensura MRI represents the second generation of MRI-compatible pacemakers; it is available in several European countries but still not available in the United States.

http://www.healthimaginghub.com/article/1626-medtronics-ensura-mri-compatible-pacemaker-receives-ce-mark.html

Nuada Medical Installs A New 3 Tesla MRI

MAGNETOM® Verio 3 Tesla MRI system has been installed at Nuada Medical, an independent imaging services provider based in London, in order to offer highly detailed diagnostic imaging to its patients. The Verio is a high performance MRI combining a range of innovative features, including a 70cm Open Bore design and 32 channel Tim™ (Total imaging matrix) technology. It also provides the considerable benefits of 3T field strength to the clinical environment in a patient friendly package. Routine neurology, oncology and musculoskeletal imaging needs are catered for by the system. Other complex MR methods such as diffusion, perfusion and spectroscopy are also being employed. In addition to that the system's Tim technology provides an unprecedented level of flexibility, accuracy and speed.

http://www.healthimaginghub.com/article/1603-3-tesla-mri-installed-to-offer-outstanding-and-highly-detailed-diagnostic-imaging.html

Diffusion MRI Better Than CT For Detecting Ischemic stroke

A recent guideline mentioned that diffusion MRI is showing better than CT when used to detect diagnosing ischemic stroke. The new guideline was prepared by the American Academy of Neurology. Ischemic stroke is one of the most frequently occurring strokes; it is a result to reduction in blood supply to the brain, which can be caused by blockage or blood clot. The American Academy of Neurology mentioned that the treatment of ischemic stroke is to be given with few hours after the beginning of symptoms.

http://www.healthimaginghub.com/article/1548-diffusion-mri-better-than-ct-for-detecting-ischemic-stroke.html

MRI Brain Images Highlights New Findings About Alzheimer’s Disease

In a new study, researchers from University of Kentucky's College of Medicine used brain MRI images to detect changes in normal individuals facing high risks for Alzheimer's disease, which would help in early d ....Read More

http://www.healthimaginghub.com/component/content/article/2211-Digital%20Radiography/1452-mri-brain-images-highlights-new-findings-about-alzheimers-disease.html

Pediatricians Need More Information On Brain MRI Findings, Research

According to a recent research, pediatricians, whose patients are undergoing brain MRI, are in need of getting more information on how to deal with benign abnormalities, which are not likely to cause any harm,  ....Read More

http://www.healthimaginghub.com/component/content/article/2211-Digital%20Radiography/1372-pediatricians-need-more-information-on-brain-mri-findings-research.html