Dear AuntMinnie Member,
A new study has found that prices for CT scans vary wildly across the U.S., from a fivefold difference among private practices to a tenfold difference among academic hospitals.
Researchers from Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH) examined prices for the most plain vanilla CT scan -- a noncontrast head exam -- as part of a study on the transparency of healthcare costs. Prices for medical procedures have come under increased scrutiny as patients shoulder more of the financial burden for their care.
The MGH team found that not only did prices vary wildly, but that it was extremely difficult to extract price information from healthcare providers. For example, some demanded current procedural terminology (CPT) codes before they disclosed price information -- a detail that few patients would have access to.
Learn more by clicking here, or visit our Imaging Leaders Community at leaders.auntminnie.com.
MRI screening for pancreatic cancer
In other news, visit our MRI Community for several intriguing new studies performed with this powerful modality.
In new research published this week in JAMA Surgery, researchers from Sweden used MRI to screen patients at high risk for pancreatic cancer due to a genetic predisposition for the disease. Multiple modalities are currently employed in this role, but they believe that MRI offers the best value due to its sensitivity and lack of ionizing radiation. Learn more by clicking here.
In a second study, researchers from Pennsylvania found that 3-tesla MRI can be a useful tool for determining how well a meniscus tear will heal. They believe that a good prognosis can be determined by measuring the length of meniscal extrusion. Find out how they did it by clicking here, or visit our MRI Community at mri.auntminnie.com.
