Wednesday, March 23, 2005
Tuesday, March 22, 2005
Thursday, March 17, 2005
Radiologists Tell House Committee Unnecessary and Inferior Medical Imaging Lowers Quality of Care and Costs Taxpayers Billions of Dollars
Radiologists Tell House Committee Unnecessary and Inferior Medical Imaging Lowers Quality of Care and Costs Taxpayers Billions of Dollars:
"Other examples include Arizona where imaging by non-radiologists is up as much 1,317 percent -- or ten times the national average. In Georgia, it�s up 503 percent; Louisiana, up 852 percent; Minnesota, up 442 percent; and in Texas, up 1,630 percent."
"Other examples include Arizona where imaging by non-radiologists is up as much 1,317 percent -- or ten times the national average. In Georgia, it�s up 503 percent; Louisiana, up 852 percent; Minnesota, up 442 percent; and in Texas, up 1,630 percent."
Stress OTJ
A recent Canadian survey ranked stress and workload as top issues among healthcare workers. It's a fact. We're in the down-cycle now on techs available and trained, but more are being trained all the time.
Survey results.
Survey results.
The MRI effect
MRI Scans Could Have Antidepressant Effect : "'We found that when we administered the magnetic stimulation to the rats, we saw an antidepressant-like effect, the same effect as seen after administration of standard antidepressant drugs,' said William Carlezon"
MRI may soon spot Alzheimer's
MRI may soon spot Alzheimer's:- - India News - Webindia123.com: "MRI may soon spot Alzheimer's:-
London March 14, 2005 1:55:15 PM IST
The markers of Alzheimer's disease - amyloid plaques in the brain - can now be detected in living mice using MRI( magnetic resonance imaging) scanners with the help of a new flourine tracer, claim scientists in Japan.
The finding raises the possibility that people without overt symptoms may soon be diagnosed and treated in time. Currently, the standard way to confirm the presence of the plaques, and thus the disease, is by autopsy.
Amyloid plaques are insoluble protein clumps in the brain which form early on in Alzheimer's disease and can precede dementia by many years. Identifying people with Alzheimer's while they are still asymptomatic means the disease could in theory be slowed, or even stopped, before irreversible neuron loss takes place. Other attempts to use brain scans, including PET and SPECT, have had some success. But PET, for example, is fifty times as expensive as MRI, has lower resolution and exposes patients to radiation.
Takaomi Saido at the Riken Brain Science Institute in Wako, Japan, and his team, have developed a new, non-toxic tracer that attaches itself to the amyloid plaques in the brain and can be detected by regular MRI scanners. The tracer is made from a form of fluorine that is a common additive in drinking water, and a form of hydrogen, which is known to bind to amyloid.(ANI)"
London March 14, 2005 1:55:15 PM IST
The markers of Alzheimer's disease - amyloid plaques in the brain - can now be detected in living mice using MRI( magnetic resonance imaging) scanners with the help of a new flourine tracer, claim scientists in Japan.
The finding raises the possibility that people without overt symptoms may soon be diagnosed and treated in time. Currently, the standard way to confirm the presence of the plaques, and thus the disease, is by autopsy.
Amyloid plaques are insoluble protein clumps in the brain which form early on in Alzheimer's disease and can precede dementia by many years. Identifying people with Alzheimer's while they are still asymptomatic means the disease could in theory be slowed, or even stopped, before irreversible neuron loss takes place. Other attempts to use brain scans, including PET and SPECT, have had some success. But PET, for example, is fifty times as expensive as MRI, has lower resolution and exposes patients to radiation.
Takaomi Saido at the Riken Brain Science Institute in Wako, Japan, and his team, have developed a new, non-toxic tracer that attaches itself to the amyloid plaques in the brain and can be detected by regular MRI scanners. The tracer is made from a form of fluorine that is a common additive in drinking water, and a form of hydrogen, which is known to bind to amyloid.(ANI)"
Modern Implantable Heart Devices Safe For Use In MRI Scans
That's what this article says, reporting findings of a study done at Johns Hopkins. Among the recommendations: keep the SAR below 2W/kg, and have a cardiologist and radiologist on hand. That's a trick in itself sometimes.
Modern Implantable Heart Devices Safe For Use In MRI Scans
Modern Implantable Heart Devices Safe For Use In MRI Scans
Wednesday, March 16, 2005
Sunday, March 06, 2005
Did you hear the one about the doctors who bought a hospital?
Sick of red tape, physicians are buying hospitals in an attempt to drive down health care costs. Should be interesting to check in on this group a little later on.
Monday, February 28, 2005
Sunday, February 27, 2005
Saturday, February 26, 2005
The MRI Lie: A Matter of Economics
Unnecessary imaging exams? Unheard of. Not according to this guy.
Saturday, February 19, 2005
Portrait of Nikola Tesla
A well-rendered Portrait of Nikola Tesla can be found here along with a bio that contains facts I wasn't aware of, such as his belief that he'd made contact with ETs. And I thought there were no long-term effects of MRI.....
Interesting to note in this article is the total absence of any mention of the MRI, focusing on electricity and Edison. More on Tesla here at his museum in Belgrade
Interesting to note in this article is the total absence of any mention of the MRI, focusing on electricity and Edison. More on Tesla here at his museum in Belgrade
Thursday, February 10, 2005
Fortunate "incidental" findings
Serendipity: [n] pure luck in discovering things you were not looking for; see also fortune, luck
Somethings are just meant to happen, it's just the way that they happen sometimes.....
Had an experience similar to this "good news bad news" "by the way" case at my work late last year. A male patient in his 40's was involved in an MVA and hit his head on the windshield. A CT scan to r/o bleed instead showed a rather large meningioma which was successfully removed days later. Another patient inhaled some sawdust, resulting in sinus problems and a "woody smell" in his nose. An MRI revealed a pituitary tumor.
Anybody else seen anything like this?
Somethings are just meant to happen, it's just the way that they happen sometimes.....
Getting conked with beer bottle saves her life
THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
NAPLES, Fla. - A blow to the head with a beer bottle may have saved Sally Hampton's life.
While doctors were examining her after the barroom attack, they discovered a brain tumor that could have killed her.
The tumor was removed, and Hampton, 64, is fully recovered.
On Monday, she testified against her attacker, Fidel Trujillo, who was convicted of aggravated battery with a deadly weapon and sentenced to 12 1/2 years in prison.
"It was one of the worst things that could happen to an elderly person, but in the end it saved her life," prosecutor Erik Lombillo said.
Hampton was attacked July 4 at a bar in Immokalee. According to prosecutors, she put her hand on Trujillo's shoulder to lead him out when the bartender wanted to close. Trujillo bashed her with a bottle and kicked her when she fell.
Had an experience similar to this "good news bad news" "by the way" case at my work late last year. A male patient in his 40's was involved in an MVA and hit his head on the windshield. A CT scan to r/o bleed instead showed a rather large meningioma which was successfully removed days later. Another patient inhaled some sawdust, resulting in sinus problems and a "woody smell" in his nose. An MRI revealed a pituitary tumor.
Anybody else seen anything like this?
Wednesday, February 02, 2005
New STD
According to this Reuters News Article, NYC has recorded the first US cases of LGV (Lymphogranuloma venereum).
The disease, known as LGV or Lymphogranuloma venereum, is caused by specific strains of chlamydia and is often marked by painful, bloody rectal infection and genital ulcers.
Preceding brought to you Europe. Thanks again.
The disease, known as LGV or Lymphogranuloma venereum, is caused by specific strains of chlamydia and is often marked by painful, bloody rectal infection and genital ulcers.
Preceding brought to you Europe. Thanks again.
Tuesday, January 25, 2005
ACR - MRI snaps clear, detailed pictures
ACR - MRI snaps clear, detailed pictures: "What is an MRI?
Magnetic resonance imaging uses radio frequency waves and a strong magnetic field, rather than x-rays, to provide clear, detailed pictures of internal organs and tissues.
What are some common MRI uses?
Because an MRI procedure can give such clear pictures of soft tissue structures near and around bones, it is the most sensitive examination for spinal and joint problems.
MRI is used to diagnose sports-related injuries, especially those affecting the knee, shoulder, hip, elbow and wrist. The images allow doctors to see even very small tears and injuries to ligaments and muscles.
Organs of the chest and abdomen, including lungs, liver, kidney, spleen, pancreas and abdominal vessels can be examined in high detail with MRI, enabling diagnosis and evaluation of tumors and functional disorders.
What do patients experience during an MRI procedure?
MRI causes no pain, but some patients can find it uncomfortable to remain still during the examination. Some experience a sense of being closed in, though the more open construction of newer MRI systems, including the one at Markham Stouffville Hospital, has done much to reduce this reaction
If a contrast injection is needed, there may be discomfort at the injection site, and patients may have a cool sensation at the site during the injection. Most bothersome to many patients are the loud tapping or knocking noises heard at certain phases of imaging. Ear plugs may help.
Who interprets the results and how do patients obtain them?
A radiologist, who is a physician experienced in MRI and other radiology examinations, analyses images and sends a signed report with his or her interpretation to the patient''s personal physician. The patient receives MRI results from the referring physician "
Jan 22,2005
Joan Ransberry
Magnetic resonance imaging uses radio frequency waves and a strong magnetic field, rather than x-rays, to provide clear, detailed pictures of internal organs and tissues.
What are some common MRI uses?
Because an MRI procedure can give such clear pictures of soft tissue structures near and around bones, it is the most sensitive examination for spinal and joint problems.
MRI is used to diagnose sports-related injuries, especially those affecting the knee, shoulder, hip, elbow and wrist. The images allow doctors to see even very small tears and injuries to ligaments and muscles.
Organs of the chest and abdomen, including lungs, liver, kidney, spleen, pancreas and abdominal vessels can be examined in high detail with MRI, enabling diagnosis and evaluation of tumors and functional disorders.
What do patients experience during an MRI procedure?
MRI causes no pain, but some patients can find it uncomfortable to remain still during the examination. Some experience a sense of being closed in, though the more open construction of newer MRI systems, including the one at Markham Stouffville Hospital, has done much to reduce this reaction
If a contrast injection is needed, there may be discomfort at the injection site, and patients may have a cool sensation at the site during the injection. Most bothersome to many patients are the loud tapping or knocking noises heard at certain phases of imaging. Ear plugs may help.
Who interprets the results and how do patients obtain them?
A radiologist, who is a physician experienced in MRI and other radiology examinations, analyses images and sends a signed report with his or her interpretation to the patient''s personal physician. The patient receives MRI results from the referring physician "
Jan 22,2005
Joan Ransberry
QA Questionnaire from ACR
Here's one I printed out. Overall things look good so far, just need to find out when all this hoopla takes place.
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