Dear AuntMinnie Member,
MRI safety is at the top of medical imaging's agenda this week, with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) holding a two-day workshop to discuss a disturbing rise in the number of reported MRI accidents.
From 2000 to 2009, the number of MRI incidents reported to the FDA has increased more than fivefold, while procedure volume has only grown by approximately 90%, according to an article by features editor Wayne Forrest in our MRI Digital Community. And it seems that every week some new video appears on YouTube of an MRI magnet exploding or in some other state of malfunction.
What can be done about the situation? Radiology professionals offered the FDA a wide range of advice and feedback, which the agency plans to review as it develops a policy for moving forward. Read our report on the workshop by clicking here, or visit the MRI Digital Community at mri.auntminnie.com.
Minnies winners
In other news, we've announced the winners of the Minnies, AuntMinnie.com's annual event recognizing excellence in radiology.
The Minnies included 14 categories ranging from Most Influential Radiology Researcher to Best New Radiology Vendor, as well as a new category added this year, Most Effective Philanthropy Program or Campaign. Some 166 candidates participated in this year's event.
Winners will receive attractive trophies, as well as the respect and adulation of their peers. To find out who won, just go to minnies.auntminnie.com.
Enterography Resource Center
We're also pleased to announce our new Enterography Resource Center, a collection of articles and resources about enterography, an up-and-coming procedure for diagnosing inflammatory bowel disease.
Enterography was made possible by advances in MDCT and contrast media technology, and it has key advantages over endoscopy-based methods for examining the small bowel. It's particularly useful for imaging patients with Crohn's disease, for example.
The Enterography Resource Center offers everything you need to know about the technique in a single, convenient location. You'll find interviews with some of the key pioneers in enterography, as well as a review of pertinent literature and an image gallery. Take a look at enterography.auntminnie.com.
VC show coverage
Finally, visit our Virtual Colonoscopy Digital Community for coverage of this week's International Symposium on Virtual Colonoscopy in Cambridge, MA. International editor Eric Barnes was in attendance for this invitation-only meeting, filing articles on how new technologies are affecting virtual colonoscopy, and how VC advocates are taking another run at securing Medicare reimbursement for screening.
