Alison Fromme
RITE AID PHARMACY
Study finds huge variations in pediatric nuclear medicine dosing
A survey of children's imaging services has found a twofold variation in radiopharmaceutical doses administered during pediatric nuclear medicine exams. For some radiopharmaceuticals, the reported maximum activities varied by as much as a factor of 10, and minimum activities differed by as much as a factor of 20, suggesting the need for a consensus among nuclear physicians on appropriate doses for young patients.
Sonographer experience translates into fewer unnecessary ovarian tumor surgeries
Unnecessary surgeries for suspected, but ultimately benign, ovarian tumors could be reduced if ultrasonography is improved, according to a recent report in The Lancet Oncology. The study showed that the number of surgeries for suspected cancers was significantly higher after routine ultrasounds compared with ultrasounds performed by sonographers who have more than 10 years of experience.
Auditory delusions show link to voice-processing area
For the first time, researchers have combined functional and anatomic MR imaging to reveal abnormalities in both physiological states in a well-defined subgroup of schizophrenic patients with chronic auditory hallucinations. With the potential to visually pinpoint abnormalities, MRI could prove useful as a diagnostic and follow-up tool to evaluate treatment for people with the disorder, according to lead investigator Dr. Luis Marti-Bonmati, chief of MR at Dr. Peset University Hospital in Valencia, Spain.
fMRI links brain connectivity pattern with reading problems in dyslexic children
Functional magnetic resonance imaging has helped University of Washington researchers discover that too much connectivity between the language-processing regions of the brains of dyslexic children may contribute to reading disabilities. Follow-up scans produced functional evidence that these abnormal connectivity patterns were mitigated after only three weeks of specialized reading training.
Schizophrenic patients who hear voices demonstrate abnormalities in voice-processing brain regions
MRI has helped researchers identify structural and functional abnormalities in the brains of people experiencing schizophrenic auditory hallucinations. The defects clustered in areas of the brain responsible for processing voices.
Desmoteplase clot buster disappoints in trial
The most highly anticipated stroke imaging trial of the year has left radiologists scratching their heads about the disappointing results. No more than 47% of acute stroke patients administered the clot-dissolving protein desmoteplase three to nine hours after the onset of symptoms showed improvement. The positive outcome rate was about the same among patients given a placebo.
Endovascular aortic aneurysm repair provides appropriate treatment for high-risk patients
Abdominal aortic aneurysms can successfully be treated in high-risk patients with elective endovascular repair, according to a study published in the February issue of the Journal of Vascular Surgery. Researchers found that U.S. military veterans who underwent the procedure fared well compared with those treated with open surgery, even when patients were considered high risk.
Study investigates medical student attitudes about specializing in radiology
Who says men and women naturally disagree? A survey of medical students, reported in the April issue of the American Journal of Roentgenology, found that men and women choose to specialize in radiology for many of the same reasons.
Asian nations use UN cash to strengthen PET facilities
Thailand, Malaysia, and other countries have received United Nations aid to implement and upgrade their PET and nuclear medicine capabilities. The nuclear medicine section of the International Atomic Energy Agency, a UN affiliate organization, provides the assistance as part of its mandate to foster peaceful uses of nuclear science and technology.
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