Dear AuntMinnie Member,
Performing a focused cardiac ultrasonography (FoCUS) exam at the bedside can improve the ability of clinicians to diagnose heart disease, according to an article that was our top story for the past week.
Researchers from Canada explored the value of point-of-care ultrasound to perform a cardiovascular assessment in addition to the standard clinical exam that's already part of routine patient evaluation. They found that the FoCUS technique contributed valuable information that helped improve their ability to detect cardiac problems over clinical exam alone.
In related news, an article published August 9 in JAMA Network Open chronicled the use of echocardiography for diagnosing heart failure in Canada. The research team found that the technique is still by far the most widely used modality in the country.
Get these stories and more in our Ultrasound Community.
MRI shows football's toll
Another widely read article reported on the work of researchers who used MRI to investigate damage sustained by football players from routine hits to the head over the course of a season. The study findings suggest that by producing "clinically silent" brain injuries, these smaller hits could be more damaging than violent hits that produce concussions.
Meanwhile, researchers from the U.K. used multiparametric MRI to cut unnecessary biopsies in men suspected of having prostate cancer, and researchers from Pennsylvania used an artificial intelligence algorithm to generate differential diagnoses for brain MRI exams.
You'll find more stories like these in our MRI Community.
Last week for Minnies nominations
That's right -- this is your last week to submit a nomination for the Minnies, AuntMinnie.com's annual event recognizing excellence in radiology.
Now in its 20th year, the Minnies give our readers the opportunity to let us know what's right with radiology. You can nominate a colleague whose contributions to the field you respect and admire, or a scientific paper that you believe has changed the way you practice. Other categories cover new products, software, mobile apps, and educational programs.
Our nomination period ends at midnight on Sunday, August 18, so you've got just a week left to participate! After that, our expert panel will take over and select the winners through two rounds of voting.
Read the rules, and cast your nomination. And thanks for your contributions to helping us recognize the best and brightest in radiology!
