2013 in Review: Top Advances, Research & Findings in Radiology
As 2013 comes to an end, take a moment to read about the top advances, research and imaging news stories from the year. 2013 marked a year of significant achievement for both the UCSF Department of Radiology & Biomedical Imaging and the field of radiology as a whole, in terms of policies, research and technological advancements. Here are 15 noteworthy blog posts that highlight some of the most important topics in the field, including posts on the imaging of breast cancer, Alzheimer’s disease, multiple sclerosis, prostate cancer and more!
Alzheimer’s Patients Benefit from Early PET Scanning, Study Confirms
The interim results from a study sponsored by the Centers for Medicare & Medical Services confirm that patients with symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease who are diagnosed early with PET scans receive medication earlier and, thus, have better clinical outcomes.
Amyloid Imaging: A “Game Changer” in the Diagnosis of Alzheimer’s Disease
The ability to directly detect amyloid during life (as opposed to during autopsy after death) is a potential “game changer” in establishing the early and accurate diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease.
An EPIC Approach to Understanding Multiple Sclerosis
UCSF’s Multiple Sclerosis Research Group, the Department of Radiology’s Neuroradiology Section, and the Surbeck Laboratory for Advanced Imaging are partnering to advance the state of the art for imaging of multiple sclerosis.
Angelina Jolie’s Decision Opens Eyes to Breast Cancer Risk
The New York Times published an op-ed by Angelina Jolie entitled ‘My Medical Choice’ on her decision to undergo a double mastectomy after discovering she was a carrier the “faulty” gene, BRCA1. The gene, which sharply increases a carrier’s risk of developing breast and ovarian cancer, affects each of its female carriers differently.
Bringing Imaging to Bear Against Multiple Sclerosis
Neuroradiology plays a vital role in the evaluation and treatment of Multiple Sclerosis. UCSF neuroradiologists work closely with the neurologists in the UCSF Multiple Sclerosis Center to achieve the best possible care for patients affected by the disease.
Developing Techniques to Reduce Running Injuries
New research from the UCSF Human Performance Center suggests that high injury rates among runners comes, in part, from specific running technique.
Discussing How Meaningful Use Applies to Radiology
“Meaningful Use” is a government program which will require the use of electronic medical records by the majority of hospitals and practicing physicians.
FDA Panel: “CTC is Safe & Effective”
Recently, the use of CT colonography (CTC) as a screening tool for routine colorectal cancer screening was deemed safe and effective!
Groundbreaking New Technology Uses Sugar to Diagnose & Assess Prostate Tumors
New imaging technology developed at UCSF in collaboration with GE Healthcare will rely on a natural form of sugar to noninvasively and precisely image tumors and see if cancer medication is effectively working. A new study effectively detected tumors in patients with prostate cancer.
MR Enterography in Children: A Non-Radiation Exam of the “Smaller” Bowel
Inflammatory bowel disease affects both adults and pediatric patients with an estimated 10,000-47,000 new cases diagnosed each year. Up to 1/3rd of these cases are in children. MR enterography, a non-radiation method of examining the bowel, has recently emerged as highly effective method of assessing disease in these patients.
Thermography as a Breast Cancer Detection Tool: Claims Misleading
More clinics are billing thermography as a better option for detecting breast cancer. The problem is, however, this is simply not true. NBC news investigates.
UCSF Study Finds Biological Basis for Sensory Processing Disorder
Scientists from UCSF are changing the widespread doubt about sensory processing disorder, and proving that there may, in fact, be major biological differences in the brains of children with sensory processing problems compared to typically developing children.
Vascular Birthmarks: Creating Order from a Palette of Red, Purple, and Blue
The patient with a vascular birthmark presents a challenge to the physician, as many entities that may look alike carry different diagnoses and are treated far differently.
What Does “Obamacare” Mean For Californians?
The central feature of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA), sometimes referred to as “Obamacare”, is set to be implemented beginning January 1, 2014. On that date millions of Americans will gain access to insurance coverage either through an expansion of the Medicaid program or by new opportunities to purchase private health insurance through a Marketplace Exchange. In California, the Medicaid program is called Medi-Cal and the new Marketplace Exchange is called Covered California.