World Digital Radiography Market to Reach $844.2 Million by 2010

Driven by the digitalization of radiology departments, the need for higher resolution diagnostic images, and the widespread proliferation of picture archiving and communication systems (PACS) in hospitals, the world market for digital radiography is projected to reach $844.2 million by the year 2010. The double-digit rise in the average number of radiology procedures performed by hospitals coupled with massive increases in volume of images-per-procedure, offer a lucrative business case for digital radiography (DR).

San Jose, California (PRWEB) April 28, 2008 -- The steady conversion of radiology departments from film-based radiography to digital radiography is spelling out attractive opportunities for digital radiography equipment installations. The aging world population induced parallel surge in the volume of image-based diagnostic procedures calls for quicker and faster imaging techniques, which offer compatibility with hospital networking systems. DR ranks as an integral component of every radiology department's workflow optimization strategy. Primary forces driving market acceptance and penetration of the DR technology include the compelling advantages offered in the form of a 50% to 85% reduction in patent exposure to radiation, increased patient throughputs, flexibility in image manipulation, and accurate and superior image capture, and better medical evaluations. Continuous technology developments, and refinements in digital imaging advantages offered, are resulting in the launch of newer, more compact and powerful equipment models. This is expected to kindle demand and encourage widespread adoption.

source: eMediaWire

North American Fluoroscopy (R/F) and Mobile C-arm Markets

This study analyzes major market trends, forecasts future changes in market measurements, and discusses specific challenges facing industry participants and strategic recommendations targeted to overcome these challenges for the North American Fluoroscopy (R/F) and Mobile C-arm Market. The major geographic division covered is North America (including the United States and Canada).

Market Overview
Enhancements in Imaging Techniques and Facilities Continue to Drive the North American Fluoroscopy and Mobile C-arm Markets

The total North American Fluoroscopy (R/F) and Mobile C-arm X-ray equipment market has witnessed sustainable revenue growth in recent years. Fluoroscopy is an effective medical tool, providing high image quality, ease of use, workflow efficiency, dose reduction, multi-functionality, and IT integration capabilities. The market has got a boost with the advent of digital imaging techniques that enable radiologists to view images in real-time, expediting diagnostic evaluation. Another factor that facilitated clinical and operational improvement was the rising popularity of dual-purpose rooms. These rooms enable basic radiology exams and digital fluoroscopy to be conducted in one room, reducing cost and minimizing space requirements.

source and further information: Research and Markets

Increase In Diagnostic Imaging Mainly Due To Self-Referring Physicians

Physicians who refer patients to their own facilities or machines for scans account for much of the increase in diagnostic imaging ordered for privately insured patients said a Baylor College of Medicine expert in a commentary that appears in the current issue of the journal Medical Care.

Based on a study also appearing in the same issue, Dr. Vivian Ho, professor of medicine at BCM and associate professor of economics at Rice University, wrote: "Increases in utilization rates were substantially higher for scans performed by self-referring physicians than for images that originated from a referral to a radiologist or hospital."

source: Medical News Today

X-Ray Films, Chemicals And Processors Market To Reach 5.9 Billion Dollars By 2010

X-ray films represent an integral part of medical products industry. The segment is fast becoming archaic in several medical applications due to the adoption of newer technologies. Improvements in computer technology, particularly in image and data display, networking, processing and storage capacity are other factors influencing the market. Picture Archive and Communication System (PACS) is one such technology that shows potential to offer vast benefits to both clinicians and patients. In course of time, digital mammography might even replace the conventional X-ray film for women. However, the transition from traditional film to digital is constrained by cost factor.

United States, Europe, and Japan account for more than 3/4th of the global X-Ray Films, Chemicals and Processors market , as stated by Global Industry Analysts, Inc. Asia-Pacific, one of the fastest growing X-Rays, Chemicals and Processors markets, is expected to register a CAGR of 3.7% over the period 2000-2010. Laser Imager Films market in the region is estimated at $185 million for 2008.

source: Medical News Today .. further information: http://www.strategyr.com/

Pink Alert: Premerus Calls for Raised Awareness on Misdiagnosis of Breast Cancer

NASHVILLE, Tenn.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Premerus, the nation’s only company dedicated to advancing clinical accuracy through diagnostic excellence, summons healthcare consumers and industry stakeholders to raise their levels of concern about the high rate of breast cancer misdiagnoses. Medical misdiagnosis not only impacts outcomes and generates patient anxiety, but it also significantly raises costs for the entire American healthcare system.

“Diagnostic errors of breast cancer merit a state of heightened alert,” says Gregg Allen, M.D., chief medical officer of Premerus. “We know that error rates vary dramatically depending upon which radiologist is reading the mammogram. It’s time for our healthcare system to respond, and it begins with improved accuracy in the reading of every mammogram. As a result, we should expect to generate better survival rates while decreasing the overall costs associated with breast cancer treatment. “

source: Business Wire

Medcotek licenses UB technology

Local company Medcotek Inc. has signed a licensing agreement with UB for use of a new technology that will advance the company’s entry into the lucrative teleradiology market.

Developed by Vipin Chaudhary, associate professor of computer science and engineering, the new 3D viewer and data-transmission system is designed to improve the transmission and diagnosis of X-rays and other radiological images sent over the Internet, a process known as teleradiology.

A shortage of radiologists nationwide has created demand for teleradiology technologies, particularly in remote areas where the shortage is acute, according to Medcotek CEO Frederic Zeigler.

source: University of Buffalo Reporter

Florida Radiologist to Pay U.S. $7 Million to Resolve Fraud Claims

 WASHINGTON, April 14  /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- A board-certified
radiologist,Fred Steinberg, M.D., his imaging centers and related
entities in Palm Beach County,Fla., have reached a settlement with
the United States to resolve allegations of health care fraud, the
JusticeDepartment announced today. Under the terms of the settlement
the U.S. recovered $7 million.

The settlement resolves allegations that portions of CT scans were
not performed, even  though the procedures were billed and reported
to patients' physicians as if they were done. CT scans, which take
detailed pictures of structures inside the body, are often taken
using a dye  (or contrast material) to highlightcertain conditions.
In addition toperforming CT scans with contrast, scans may also be
done without contrast. The bills submitted by Steinberg and his
entities to federal healthcare  programs, including Medicare,
reflected that  thousands of CT scans were carried out both with
and without contrast, when in reality the CT scans without contrast
were not performed. In addition,  the government alleged that the
Steinberg entities did CT scans and ultrasound exams that were not
ordered by physicians and were not medically necessary.

source: Earthtimes.org

Useful And Effective Diagnosis Of Patients With Large Bowel Obstruction Using CT

The use of CT is highly effective in confirming large bowel obstruction and identifying the site and cause of obstruction, according to a recent study conducted by researchers at the University of South Manchester in Manchester, UK.

"There is very little published evidence regarding the diagnostic efficiency of CT in large bowel obstruction (LBO), said Sathi Sukumar, MD, lead author of the study. "Large bowel obstruction is a common clinical problem and plain films have been shown to be unreliable. Contrast enemas, the conventional way of investigating LBO is invasive, gives only limited information and is sometimes technically not possible and difficult to interpret," said Dr. Sukumar.

source: ARRS Press Release

The RBMA 2008 Radiology Summit is "Going Green"

The RBMA 2008 Radiology Summit will be held May 4-7, 2008, at the Las Vegas Hilton in Las Vegas, Nevada.

The Radiology Summit will offer the rich quality education it is known for, but this conference may look a little different.

As RBMA approached its 40th birthday, we decided to look forward to future generations and the impact we currently have on the environment. We have decided to lessen our environmental footprint by reducing the amount of destructive elements at our seminars and conferences and become environmentally friendly.

source: MedicExchange

TeraRecon, Inc. Introduces Aquarius iNtuition at ITEM 2008 in Yokohama, Japan, and Announces New Product Innovations

YOKOHAMA, JAPAN--(MARKET WIRE)--Apr 4, 2008 -- TeraRecon, Inc. (www.terarecon.com, www.terarecon.co.jp), a leader in advanced image-processing technology and 3D visualization solutions, today announced the launch of the new Aquarius iNtuition release of the company's advanced visualization platform at the International Technical Exhibition of Medical Imaging 2008 meeting of the Japan Radiological Congress, held concurrently with the 67th Annual Meeting of the Japan Radiological Society, in Yokohama, Japan, April 4th-6th 2008.

ITEM 2008 is the largest annual exhibition for medical imaging technology in Japan, where the Japanese radiology community will meet to discover new innovations and research in the field of diagnostic imaging technology. Central to this are innovations in advanced multi-detector row computed tomography (MDCT), magnetic resonance imaging (MR) and positron emission tomography (PET).

source: TeraRecon Inc

“Image Gently” Project Seeks to Limit Unnecessary Imaging and Radiation Levels in Children

Newswise — The Society for Pediatric Radiology, which includes physicians from Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center (MSKCC), has launched a project known as Image Gently, which seeks to decrease unnecessary imaging and radiation levels in children. The American College of Radiology estimates that there are seven million computed tomography (CT) scans performed in children each year in the US, a number that is increasing about 10 percent annually.

While CT is a useful imaging tool that produces quality diagnostic images of underlying conditions, CT scans expose patients to significantly more radiation than standard x-rays. This is an issue of particular importance for children, whose tissues are more sensitive to the larger relative radiation doses they receive, and who have a longer period of time to develop cancers that may result from the radiation exposure.

source: Newswise

ISO-OSMOLAR X-Ray Dye Falters In PCI Study

CHICAGO, Ill. (April 1, 2008) — A new study has found that an x-ray dye intended to reduce stress on the kidneys did not prevent renal injury during percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) in patients who already had compromised kidney function. In addition, it made no difference in the need for dialysis or in the length of hospital stay, according to the Contrast Media and Nephrotoxicity Following Coronary Revascularization by Angioplasty (CONTRAST) study.

The CONTRAST study is being reported today in a Late-Breaking Clinical Trials session at the SCAI Annual Scientific Sessions in Partnership with ACC i2 Summit (SCAI-ACCi2) in Chicago. SCAI-ACCi2 is a scientific meeting for practicing cardiovascular interventionalists sponsored by the Society for Cardiovascular Angiography and Interventions (SCAI) in partnership with the American College of Cardiology (ACC).

Some earlier studies have shown that iodixanol (Visipaque) reduces the risk of kidney damage when moderate doses of x-ray dye, or contrast medium, are used, mainly during diagnostic angiography. This is the first randomized trial to look exclusively at PCI, which involves far higher doses of contrast medium.

source:Society for Cardiovascular Angiography and Interventions

Unusual Radiologic Presentation of Monostotic Fibrous Dysplasia

Fibrous dysplasia, first described in 1938 by Lichtenstein,1 is a benign fibro-osseous lesion that can occur as an isolated skeletal lesion (monostotic form) or affect multiple skeletal sites (polyostotic form). In addition, fibrous dysplasia may be associated with single or multiple endocrinopathies, or with precocious puberty and cutaneous hyperpigmentation in McCune-Albright syndrome.2

Fibrous dysplasia usually appears as a well-defined radiolucent medullary lesion that is irregular and mildly expansive, with a hazy opacity classically described as having a “ground-glass” appearance. In the long tubular bones, fibrous dysplasia may cause expansion of the bone contour with cortical thinning and endosteal scalloping. The shaft typically is involved, but the metaphysis also may be affected. These changes usually are recognizable on plain radiographs, but in cases in which the lesion is difficult to visualize, computed tomography (CT) may be beneficial.

source: Ortho Supersite