Bistro RSNA Lunch Tickets Available Online
Avoid the hassle of long lunch lines and vying for a place to eat your meal. For the first time, RSNA is offering attendees a new hospitality service and networking opportunity. Meal tickets can be purchased in advance online. Comfortable seating will be available at tables inside each exhibit hall. Topic tables will be available in the Lakeside Learning Center. Click here to learn more and to purchase lunch tickets in advance.
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October RSNA News Now Online
The full version of the October issue of RSNA News is now available online.
Highlights include:
Radiology Practices Still Faltering Despite Temporary DRA Relief
Radiologists applaud action by Congress to extend the June 2008 Medicare physician pay rates — with an additional 1.1 percent update for 2009 — but still await a permanent healthcare financing fix.
Women Radiologists Seek New Solutions to Professional Challenges
An increasing number of women practicing radiology around the globe are fueling a drive for new opportunities in areas like grant funding, work/family balance and salary negotiations.
New PET Probe Enables Visualization of Immune System
The new probe that models and measures the immune system may help physicians more quickly determine how patients are responding to treatment.
Accountant Turned Radiologist Champions MR-Guided Angioplasty
Jim Gehl, M.D., still found use for his number crunching and computer science skills on a research team comparing MR- and X-ray-guided angioplasty.
RSNA 2008 Meeting Preview
With increased integration of refresher course material and scientific papers, RSNA 2008 offers attendees myriad opportunities to not only learn about the latest breakthroughs in the specialty, but also take home knowledge to apply immediately in their work settings.
Articles provided in PDF for easy printing.
RSNA 2008 Delivers Radiology’s Present and Future
Expand Your Experience at RSNA 2008
Gold Medalists
Honorary Members
Plenary Sessions
Sessions/Exhibits/Special Information (includes Associated Sciences, Education Exhibits and Scientific Posters, Refresher Courses and Informatics)
Technical Exhibits
Restaurant Guide
Leading the News
Teleradiology Paves Way for Remote Medicine
Teleradiology has increased in popularity in recent years as a way to reduce healthcare costs while many areas of the country face a shortage of radiologists. Bangalore, India, is one location that is becoming a center for teleradiology outsourcing because of its large pool of Western-educated radiologists, extensive outsourcing infrastructure, lower costs, and a convenient time zone to diagnose medical conditions during the U.S. night. Teleradiologists in India read X-rays, CT scans, MRIs, and other medical images of patients in the United States, Singapore, and a number of other locations worldwide. There are currently at least 10 teleradiology firms in India, which often help U.S. providers by filling in for radiologists on night shifts. However, experts are concerned that teleradiology could introduce a number of complicated liability, privacy, and malpractice issues without proper international regulatory framework and a code of conduct to guide the practice.
From "Teleradiology Paves Way for Remote Medicine"
Washington Post (10/14/08) Chandran, Kavita
Research
Preoperative Mammography, Ultrasound Sensitive for Multifocal-Multicentric Breast Carcinoma
Italian researchers, led by Dr. Anna Bozzini, recently conducted a study to compare the sensitivity of preoperative mammography (Mx), ultrasound, and re-reviewed Mx to detect multifocal-multicentric breast carcinoma (MMBC). Three experienced breast radiologists were asked to independently re-review digital mammography of 97 women with surgically diagnosed MMBC. The results of their research, published in BMC Cancer, found that original Mx and ultrasound reports have an overall sensitivity of 45.5 percent and 52.9 percent, respectively, while re-reviewed Mx detected only three additional lesions. Combined sensitivity of both techniques to assess MMBC was 58 percent.
From "Sensitivity of Imaging for Multifocal-Multicentric Breast Carcinoma"
7thSpace (09/30/08)
RTOG and U.S. Oncology Collaboration to Increase Access to Clinical Trials
The Radiation Therapy Oncology Group (RTOG) and U.S. Oncology Inc. have entered into a research partnership designed to improve patient access to clinical trials of radiation treatments for cancer. Patients receiving cancer care at practices affiliated with U.S. Oncology will have access to RTOG trials testing the integration of radiation therapy with new systemic therapies and surgery. Disease sites tested the trials will reportedly include brain, head & neck, lung, gastrointestinal, cervix, genitourinary, and breast cancers.
From "Radiation Therapy Oncology Group and U.S. Oncology Enter Collaboration to Increase Patient Access to National Clinical Trials"
Dotmed (10/16/08) Kram, Barbara
Technology
Study Shows OCT Superior for Imaging Coronary Artery Disease
Researchers at Ajou University, led by Dr. So-Yeon Choi, report that optical coherence tomography (OCT) appears to provide superior contrast and resolution for imaging the components of coronary artery plaque. In their study, reported at the Transcatheter Cardiovascular Therapeutics scientific symposium, Choi and his team concluded OCT may be the best tool available to detect vulnerable plaque in coronary arteries. The researchers compared OCT to intravascular ultrasound and virtual histology in 48 patients categorized as having stable angina pectoris or acute coronary syndromes. Of the three imaging methods, two independent observers were able to easily detect vulnerable plaque.
From "Study Shows OCT Superior for Imaging Coronary Artery Disease"
BioOptics (10/13/2008)
Medical-Legal Issues
FDA Issues Update on Reactions to Ultrasound Microbubble Agents
The FDA has instituted labeling changes for ultrasound micro-bubble contrast agents marketed as Perflutren Lipid Microsphere (Definity) and Perflutren Protein-Type A Microspheres for Injection (Optison). The agency recently determined that the benefits of the diagnostic information provided by Definity or Optison may outweigh the previously indicated risk of cardiopulmonary reactions, even among high-risk patients. Therefore, the FDA has amended the labeling for both products so that they no longer contain contraindications for patients with unstable cardiopulmonary status. However, both products will still carry a boxed warning that points out that in high-risk patients, it is important to monitor vital signs while administering the contrast agents and for a minimum of 30 minutes afterwards.
From "Update on Cardiopulmonary Reactions With Ultrasound Microbubble Contrast Agents"
FDA Patient Safety News (10/08) No. 80,
Self-Audit Can Help Prepare for Medicare Audit
The Medicare Recovery Audit Contractor (RAC) program, which is designed to recoup overpayments from hospitals and group practices, is scheduled to begin in Fall 2008. Almost every large U.S. healthcare organization eventually will face a Medicare audit, with the possibility of Medicare deducting millions of dollars from future billings due to overpayments. Medical experts recommend that practices prepare for this initiative by conducting a self-audit. Furthermore, they advise practices to assign a task force to head up the RAC program and create a database to track audit progress. The task force should be led by someone with an in-depth knowledge of the practice's payment process and the ability to educate the practice's stakeholders about the importance of dealing with Medicare audits. Additionally, claims coders and physicians need to be trained in Medicare documentation requirements.
From "Preparing for Medicare Audits"
Health Data Management (10/08) Vol. 16, No. 10, P. 42; Anderson, Howard J.
GAO: New Law Reduces Medical Imaging Costs
In 2006, Congress passed a law limiting the amount of fees that Medicare could pay to doctors for administering medical imaging tests, including MRIs and X-rays. Doctors are now reimbursed for the lowest cost of the test based upon a comparison of doctors' fees with that of area hospitals. The latest standards established in 2007, Medicare spent $12.1 billion on medical imaging services performed in physician's offices, which is a 12.7 percent drop from levels recorded in 2006. Healthcare providers argue that the law would prompt more physicians to discontinue medical imaging services in their offices. Despite these objections, the U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) found that the number of procedures rose in 2007 at a slower pace than in previous years. However, the Medical Imaging and Technology Alliance argues that the GAO's study is flawed because "evidence from towns and cities across America is revealing that patients are being turned away from imaging at the point of service."
From "GAO: New Law Reduces Medical Imaging Costs"
The Hill (09/29/08) Young, Jeffrey
Clinical Practice
Nation May Face Shortage of Breast Imaging Radiologists
Some of the United States' major breast cancer centers are currently having trouble ensuring that patients get mammograms in a timely fashion. There are several reasons demand for mammograms has surpassed supply in recent years, according to Dr. Ellen Mendelson of Northwestern's Lynn Sage Comprehensive Breast Center. Mendelson points out to the growing number of experts recommending women over 40 years get a yearly mammogram as well as the aging population. Meanwhile, there is a shortage of breast imaging radiologists, partly because mammography is not historically a high-paying specialty, and it has faced obstacles when it comes to reimbursement. Additionally, Mendelson maintains the specialty has seen more litigation compared to other imaging specialties, causing many qualified radiologists to gravitate towards other sub-specialties.
From "Want a Mammogram? Get in Line"
Chicago Tribune (10/10/08) Deardorff, Julie
Region Attempts to Improve MRI and CT Scan Wait Times
Like some areas of the United States, parts of Canada are facing a shortage of qualified radiologists. One region that has been particularly affected by the shortage is Eastern Ontario, where patient wait times for an MRI can be as long as a year for some facilities. In an attempt to alleviate this problem, Eastern Ontario officials have proposed a centralized waiting list for patients who need MRI scans. Under the new system, any patient in need of an MRI would be placed on a region-wide waiting list. They would then be referred to the next facility with the specialists and equipment needed to perform their particular procedure. Radiologists in the region are currently working to create common guidelines designed to assess and triage patients according to priority and special needs. In order to further ease the process, the Canadian government has already provided $19 million to create a centralized PACS system allowing images to be retrieved by any hospital in the region. If successful, the system will also be expanded to include CT scans.
From "Centralized Waiting List Is Being Touted As Cure for MRI and CT Scan Wait Times"
Ottawa Citizen (10/20/08) Tam, Pauline
Industry News
Radiopharmaceutical Shortage Raises Long-Term Supply Questions
Europe is facing a temporary shortage of radioactive isotopes for use in medical imaging due to planned and unplanned shutdowns in the five reactors primarily responsible for their production in the region. The shutdowns have drastically reduced the supply of both technetium-99m (Tc-99m) and molybdenum-99 (Mo-99) isotopes. The problems follow an unrelated incident in 2007, when the temporary closure of the Chalk River nuclear plant in Ontario, Canada, caused radiopharmaceutical shortages in the United States. The European Medicines Agency is analyzing the current shortage in an effort to avert future problems. Experts warn these shortages may get worse as there are already few reactors able to produce Mo-99, and many of these reactors are around 40 years old. Wolfram Knapp, president-elect of the European Association of Nuclear Medicine, suggests that international cooperation should be improved to ensure reactor maintenance schedules do not coincide. Additionally, he recommends existing reactors should be upgraded to allow them to produce Mo-99.
From "Radiopharmaceutical Shortage Raises Long-Term Supply Questions"
Royal Society of Chemistry (10/14/2008) Lalloo, Manisha
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