Dear AuntMinnie Member,
Crack cocaine may have had its heyday as a drug of choice in the 1980s, but abuse of the substance unfortunately is still common today. Crack made its way back into headlines in recent weeks with the news that British pop singer Amy Winehouse may have early-stage emphysema, perhaps due to smoking crack.
We examine how to spot signs of crack abuse on chest images in an article this week by staff editor Heather Hokenson. The story reviews the clinical research on "crack lung," describing the condition's distinct presentation on chest radiography and CT images.
Crack lung can mimic other lung pathologies, such as pulmonary embolism and sarcoidosis, and diagnosis can also be complicated by the fact that addicts may not disclose their drug use when giving their patient histories. Find out how you can spot the condition by clicking here, or visit the Digital X-Ray Community.
Infection in MRI suites
Another underreported story is the topic of infection in MRI suites. The increasing prevalence of highly contagious diseases such as severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) and methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) has prompted physicians and healthcare regulators to increase their scrutiny of hospital-acquired infections. But infection control in the MRI suite can be problematic due to powerful magnetic fields that prohibit the introduction of standard cleaning equipment.
This week in our MRI Digital Community, we present the third and final installment of a white paper on MRI infection control by Dr. Peter A. Rothschild, a radiologist and operator of a Kentucky imaging center. The article describes how infection control in MRI has taken a backseat to other concerns such as magnet safety and even maximizing patient throughput in an era of declining reimbursement.
The series describes the seriousness of the problem and presents suggestions for implementing proper infection control procedures. Learn more by clicking here; you can also find part I and part II in our MRI Digital Community, at mri.auntminnie.com.
