Dear Digital X-Ray Insider,
Our focus with this edition of the Digital X-Ray Insider is on digital tomosynthesis. No, not digital breast tomosynthesis, which has been grabbing the limelight of late, but rather digital tomosynthesis for general radiography applications.
Tomosynthesis has been around nearly as long as radiography itself, but in recent years it's been eclipsed by CT and other cross-sectional modalities. The arrival of flat-panel digital detectors, however, is generating new interest in digital tomo, particularly in breast imaging. But tomosynthesis could have valuable applications outside the breast, and could develop a role as a middle ground between conventional radiography and multislice CT.
Tomosynthesis works by using an x-ray tube head that pans in a sweep around the area of interest, collecting multiple slices that then can be reconstructed into volumetric images. The technique enables clinicians to see around anatomical structures that might get in the way in a standard projection radiograph.
In this edition's Insider Exclusive, contributing writer Cynthia Keen examines how radiologists in the field are using digital tomosynthesis, and the value it adds to medical imaging, in particular for musculoskeletal applications. Get the rest of the story by clicking here.
Other articles you might want to take a look at include this story, which examines methods for reducing pediatric radiation dose with both computed and digital radiography systems. We also delve into oral and maxillofacial imaging with this article on bisphosphonate-related osteonecrosis of the jaws (BRONJ).
Finally, check out this article on imaging techniques for diagnosing juvenile osteochondritis dissecans (JOCD).
If you have any tips or ideas on topics you'd like to see covered in the Digital X-Ray Community, drop me a line at [email protected].
