Gadolinium switch eliminates NSF; CT of swine flu; more on FDA CT probe

Dear AuntMinnie Member,

A study published this month traces the experiences of two U.S. hospitals that were able to eliminate episodes of nephrogenic systemic fibrosis (NSF) among patients receiving MRI scans by switching the type of gadolinium contrast media they were using.

NSF is a debilitating condition that has been connected to gadolinium-based contrast since the first cases were reported in 2006. But researchers have questioned whether the disease is caused by a specific formulation of gadolinium, or whether there is a class effect caused by all gadolinium-based products.

Two hospitals, Emory University Hospital in Atlanta and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, tracked the incidence of NSF before, during, and after switching gadolinium products and after implementing new contrast administration policies. Find out what they learned by clicking here, or visit the MRI Digital Community at mri.auntminnie.com.

CT of swine flu

As flu season approaches, concern has been rising over the global impact of the H1N1 virus (commonly known as swine flu). CT could play a role in early identification of the disease, according to an article we're featuring this week in the CT Digital Community.

U.S. researchers report on a case of H1N1 infection in which the patient experienced a false-negative influenza rapid antigen test, but lung CT scans revealed telltale pathology that could help physicians initiate early treatment. Find out what severe swine flu looks like on CT by clicking here.

Finally, more details are emerging regarding the U.S. Food and Drug Administration's investigation of a series of CT radiation overexposure cases. Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles has been identified as the hospital where 206 patients received up to eight times the recommended radiation dose for CT brain perfusion scans.

Both the FDA and California state regulators are looking into the case, and details are still sketchy. Find out what we know so far by clicking here, or visit the CT Digital Community at ct.auntminnie.com.