Writing a Competitive Grant Proposal
January 30–31, 2009
RSNA Headquarters, Oak Brook, Ill.
Application Deadline—December 15
Registrations are being accepted for the second Writing a Competitive Grant Proposal program, designed for researchers in radiology, radiation oncology, nuclear medicine and related sciences who are interested in actively pursuing federal funding.
A limited number of slots are available for this 1½-day intermediate-level program. The course combines didactic and small group interactive sessions to help radiologic researchers understand and apply the key components of writing a competitive grant proposal. Topics to be covered include the NIH grant review process, developing specific aims and funding opportunities.
Guided by a faculty of leading researchers with extensive experience in all aspects of grant applications and funding, the program will focus on developing realistic expectations and provide tools for getting started. Faculty includes G. Scott Gazelle, M.D., Ph.D., of Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston and King C. Li, M.D., of Methodist Hospital in Houston.
The course fee is $175. Registration forms can be found online. Contact Fiona Miller at 1-630-590-7741 or fmiller@rsna.org for more information.
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Research
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Clinical Practice
Industry News
From RSNA
November RSNA News Now Online
The full version of the November issue of RSNA News is now available online.
Highlights include:
Imaging Innovation Helps Surgeons "Cut by Color"
Radiologists are poised to contribute a new tool to the surgical arsenal, creating a fluorescent roadmap of sorts to light the way for more favorable surgical results.
Salary Survey Results Questioned
An annual salary study showing a continued trend in modest rises in compensation for most medical specialties, with concurrent losses for medical practices, has drawn calls for changes in physician compensation methods.
Survey Reveals Long-lasting Positive Impact of R&E Grants
A recent survey of more than 600 RSNA Research & Education Foundation grant recipients revealed that the grants have significant bearing on subsequent funding, research breakthroughs and peer-reviewed publications.
Popular Gadgets Find Place on the Job in Radiology
The radiology community has long been one of inventors and technophiles, and it should come as no surprise that its members are jumping at every opportunity to make use of new popular gadgets as they pour into the mainstream.
RSNA 2008 Meeting Preview
New educational content, expanded dining options and special amenities await RSNA 2008 attendees.
Articles provided in PDF for easy printing.
Lecture/Orations
Outstanding Researcher, Educator Announced
More About RSNA 2008
Leading the News
Increase in Imaging Tests is Widespread, Study Finds
The number of diagnostic imaging tests conducted in recent years has increased significantly, according to a study conducted by University of California San Francisco Prof. Rebecca Smith-Birdman and her colleagues. The study, published in Health Affairs, analyzed data from 377,000 patients enrolled in the Group Health Cooperative between 1997 and 2006. Dr. Smith-Birdman and her team found during that time period the rate of compute tomography scans per patient doubled while the number of magnetic resonance imaging procedures tripled. These results support findings from a July 2008 Government Accountability Office study, which found that Medicare spending on medical imaging doubled to about $14 billion between 2000 and 2006.
From "Increase in Imaging Tests is Widespread, Study Finds"
Wall Street Journal (11/10/08)
Research
A Useful Imaging Modality for Monitoring Treatment Response to Hepatocellular Carcinoma
Researchers led by Prof. G. Chen of Capital Medical University recently used 64-rows multi-detector CT to assess the changes in parameters of CT perfusion before and after TACE treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). The results of the study, published in the World Journal of Gastroenterology, found that changes in CT perfusion parameters in viable tumors are correlated with different response of HCC to TACE. The researchers concluded that CT perfusion imaging is a feasible technique for monitoring response of HCC to TACE.
From "A Useful Imaging Modality for Monitoring Treatment Response to Hepatocellular Carcinoma"
Genetic Engineering News (10/31/08)
MRgFUS Investigated as Treatment for Bone Metastases
Radiologists at the Methodist Hospital in Houston are currently studying the use of magnetic resonance-guided focused ultrasound (MRgFUS) to reduce pain resulting from bone metastases. The research team, led by radiology department chair Dr. King Li, is currently investigating whether MRgFUS is able to successfully and safely ablate the bone tissue causing the pain. MRgFUS is already approved to treat uterine fibroids and has shown some success in relieving pain for patients with bone metastases in smaller clinical trials.
From "When Cancer Pain Spreads to Bones MRI and Ultrasound May Provide Relief"
Medical News Today (11/06/08)
Technology
New Technology Could Revolutionize Breast Cancer Screening
A team of University of Bristol researchers, led by Prof. Alan Preece and Dr. Ian Craddock, are currently testing an experimental breast-imaging device. The new device uses low-energy radio waves to create 3D digital images of a patient's breast. The researchers are currently preparing to initiate a blinded clinical trial comparing the sensitivity of the new technology to traditional mammogram for detecting abnormalities.
From "New Technology Could Revolutionize Breast Cancer Screening"
Science Daily (11/12/08)
New Method to Combine Modalities Improves Image Quality
Dr. Anders Persson, director of the Center for Medical Image Science and Visualization at Linkoping University in Sweden, was recently awarded the 2008 Lennart Nilsson Award for his work on a 3-D imaging technology designed to produce sharper internal images. The technology combines several imaging techniques including magnetic resonance imaging, ultrasound, and positron emission tomography. After capturing the initial images, Persson's system allows the product of all three techniques to be combined to produce images that are clear and rich in data.
From "Virtual Autopsy"
NBCSandiego.com (11/03/08)
Medical-Legal Issues
CMS Announces 2009 Payment Rules
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has issued the final 2009 rules for its physician fee schedule and hospital outpatient/ambulatory surgical center prospective payment system. The final fee schedule provides a 1.1 percent increase across the board for physician payments for 2009, as required by the Medicare Improvements for Patients and Providers Act. CMS did not adopt a recommendation to make separate payments for intravascular ultrasound and intracardiac echocardiography services. However, the agency did approve a proposal that provides one composite payment for multiple imaging procedures within a single family performed on the same patient in one sitting. The physician fee schedule and outpatient payment rule will take effect Jan. 1.
From "2009 Payment Rules: Gainsharing Plan Put Off, Electrode Cuts Remain"
Medical Devices Today (11/05/08) Filmore, David; Hogan, Monica
Experts Speculate on Possibilities for New FDA and HHS Appointees
Following the election there has been a great deal of speculation as to who may be President-elect Barack Obama's new appointees to lead the department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and the FDA. Possible selections for the HHS post include former Senate Majority Leader Tom Daschle, former NIH director Harold Varmus, and former Democratic National Committee Chairman Howard Dean, who is also a licensed physician. As for the position of FDA commissioner, there are several possibilities. Steven Nissen of the Cleveland Clinic may be considered due to the perception that he would reform the FDA. However, drug and device manufacturers are expected may resist the selection of Nissen because of his history of publicizing risks that may be associated with a number of medications, including rosiglitazone (Avandia), nesiritide (Natrecor), and muraglitazar (Pargluva). On the other hand, industry insiders are expected to support the choice of current Center for Drug Evaluation and Research (CDER) director, Janet Woodcock, to the commissioner post. Other possible choices include former Deputy FDA commissioner Mike Taylor; Duke University cardiologist Robert Califf; and Mary Pendergast, a lawyer who serves on the board of Nuvelo and was EVP at Ireland's Elan.
From "Horse Race Begins for New Leaders at FDA and HHS"
Wall Street Journal (11/05/08) Carnevale, Mary Lu
Clinical Practice
New Model to Estimate Radiation Skin Doses During CT-Guided Interventional Procedures
Greek researchers, led by Dr. Iannis A. Tsalafoutas, recently developed a new theoretical model that allows interventional radiologists to accurately estimate patient radiation skin doses during CT-guided procedures. The theoretical model "considers the skin does resulting from each CT slice, utilizing data that is already stored along with CT images," according to the researchers. Dr. Tsalafoutas and his team compared radiation doses calculated using this model to those measured using films positioned under patients during CT-guided procedures. By doing so, they found the model was able to accurately provide a base for skin dose estimation in practice.
From "New Model to Estimate Radiation Skin Doses During CT-Guided Interventional Procedures"
Science Centric (11/03/2008)
U.K. Expands Age-Range Recommendations for Routine Breast Cancer Screening
The United Kingdom has launched a new initiative to expand the age range of women advised to get routinely screened for breast cancer. Currently, only women between 50 and 70 years of age are regularly screened. However, under the new program, which begins in January 2009, women under 50 and over 70 years will receive routine screening. To test the effectiveness of the initiative, six national pilot sites have been selected to start screening some groups of women from 47 to 49 years old and 71 to 73 years old.
From "Thousands Get Cancer Screening"
Coventry Evening Telegraph (11/05/08) Vonledebur, Catherine
Industry News
Measuring Value of Increased Imaging Technology a Challenge
The availability of advanced imaging technology, including magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), computed tomography (CT), and positron emission tomography (PET), has increased significantly in recent years. There are currently estimated to be more than 7,000 sites offering MRI, which collectively perform more than 26 million procedures annually. There are also reported to be more than 10,000 CT units in operation as well as consistent increases in the availability of PET and other new imaging modalities. While the availability of these technologies has grown, it is still unclear if usage rates have improved or if increased usage offers any significant cost-benefit advantages. In order to answer these questions researchers tracked Medicare claims data. They found that for every additional MRI unit, there are 733 additional MRI procedures performed while each new CT unit is associated with 2,224 additional CT procedures. Additionally, they found that in some cases the benefits of expanded imaging use will include better health outcomes; however, more research needs to be conducted in order to more precisely determine the cost effectiveness of expanding the availability of each type of imaging.
From "Expanded Use of Imaging Technology and the Challenge of Measuring Value"
Health Affairs (Quarter 4, 2008) Vol. 27, No. 6, P. 1467; Baker, Laurence C.; Atlas, Scott W.; Afendulis, Christopher C.
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