RSNA News - May 2005

Journal Highlights

The following are highlights from the current issues of RSNA's two peer-reviewed journals.

Cost-Effectiveness Analysis in the Assessment of Diagnostic Imaging Technologies

When compared to evaluating the cost-effectiveness of therapeutic medical technologies, evaluating the cost-effectiveness of diagnostic imaging technologies is difficult because diagnostic technologies generally influence the care of the patient rather than directly affecting long-term patient outcomes.

In this review article in the May issue of Radiology (rsna.org/radiologyjnl), G. Scott Gazelle, M.D., M.P.H., Ph.D., from Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, and colleagues:

• Trace the history of technology assessment in medicine
• Address the role of cost-effectiveness and decision analysis in health technology assessment
• Describe unique features and approaches to assessing diagnostic technologies
• Consider the limits of medical technology assessment

The article also includes “Essentials” or highlighted points to help busy readers recognize important information at a glance.

Imaging of Small Bowel Disease: Comparison of Capsule Endoscopy, Standard Endoscopy, Barium Examination, and CT

Capsule endoscopy is a revolutionary new diagnostic tool for the detection of small bowel disease that makes use of a swallowable video capsule. Capsule endoscopy is easy to perform, is well tolerated by patients and, for the first time, allows noninvasive endoscopic evaluation of the entire small bowel.

In a review article in the May-June issue of RadioGraphics (rsna.org/radiographics), Amy K. Hara, M.D., and colleagues from the Mayo Clinic in Scottsdale, Ariz., discuss:

• Capsule endoscopic technique
• Advantages and disadvantages of capsule endoscopy
• Indications and contraindications for capsule endoscopy
• Lesions detected at capsule endoscopy
• False-negative and false-positive findings
• Complications

A commentary by Dean D. Maglinte, M.D., is also available.

Lymphoma. (left) Capsule endoscopic image shows small nodules in the jejunum. (right) Image from a small bowel follow-through study demonstrates an abnormal jejunal small bowel loop (circled). The examination was initially thought to be negative. © 2005 RSNA. All rights reserved. Printed with permission. (RadioGraphics 2005; 25:697-711)