Dear AuntMinnie Member,
The use of dual-phase thoracic CT scans has been dropping in recent years, perhaps a sign that efforts to reduce inappropriate utilization are paying off.
That's according to a new article in our CT Digital Community on research led by Dr. David C. Levin of Thomas Jefferson University. Dr. Levin and colleagues tracked utilization over time of dual-phase thoracic CT exams, in which CT is performed with and without contrast to detect conditions such as aortic dissection or indeterminate lung nodules.
The problem with these studies is that they expose patients to two doses of radiation, and a 2011 New York Times article singled them out as a potential source of overutilization. This conclusion was contradicted by Dr. Levin's group, however, which found that dual-phase CT use has declined over the past seven years. Find out what could be behind the drop by clicking here, or visit the CT Digital Community at ct.auntminnie.com.
Breast MRI and 2nd cancers
In other news, Korean researchers are reporting positive results from using breast MRI to screen women who are at high risk of recurrent cancer after breast conservation therapy.
The research group wanted to assess the viability of alternatives to mammography for following these women, who typically receive annual screening after their treatment. Previous research has found MRI to be a good alternative.
The group decided to perform MRI breast screening for women who had undergone breast conservation therapy and who already had received negative ultrasound and mammography studies. They found that breast MRI detected an additional 18 cancers per 1,000 women.
Learn more about the study by clicking here, or visit our MRI Digital Community at mri.auntminnie.com.
Last-minute Minnie
Finally, if you have a last-minute idea for a nomination in our Minnies awards, be sure to head over to minnies.auntminnie.com before midnight on August 17 to let us know. Also, learn how to submit an entry in our Best Radiology Image competition by clicking here.
