Dear AuntMinnie Member,
The future looks bright for breast MRI. The modality got a vote of confidence last year when the American Cancer Society added it to its guidelines for screening women at high risk of developing cancer, and breast imaging specialists continue to find new applications for the technology.
We explore its development from all sides in "Advances in Breast MRI," a new Special Report we're launching this week. The report includes five feature stories on breast MRI, ranging from strategies for maximizing reimbursement to making a business case for buying a dedicated breast MRI scanner.
You'll also find articles on the rise of comprehensive breast cancer centers and on how breast MRI is making a difference in surgical planning. Check out the Special Report by clicking here, or click on any of the article links below. We're also offering the report as a downloadable PDF that you can print out and read at your leisure.
PET and colorectal cancer
In other news, a new study released today by Australian researchers highlights PET's ability to change the management of patients with colorectal cancer. The study found that PET changed treatment plans for more than half of patients; the authors hope the results will help spur an expansion of insurance reimbursement for PET in Australia. Get the rest of the details by clicking here.
Another study released today, this time in the Journal of the American Medical Association, examined strategies for preventing contrast-induced nephropathy (CIN) in patients with poor kidney function.
The researchers looked at whether giving sodium bicarbonate to patients in the hours prior to contrast injection would cut down on the incidence of CIN. Unfortunately, and despite earlier, more promising studies, sodium bicarbonate was no more effective than saline. Learn more by clicking here.
Finally, click here to learn about the launch today of a new digital radiography detector that's designed to fit into the bucky of an existing analog x-ray system without any retrofit modifications.
