Advances in technology have led computed tomography (CT) to become one of the main diagnostic tools utilized today in modern healthcare, as it provides a safe and low risk anatomical visualization of the human body. However, these advances have also introduced new challenges related to the administration of contrast, which is a fundamental component of many CT imaging exams, particularly in cardiac CT.

This Expert Forum aims to help a wider audience of radiology professionals understand how to use iodine contrast safely, by using a weight-based contrast strategy, which allows technologists and radiologists to image safely while obtaining optimal results. In addition, we will discuss the value of including saline in your protocols, which can result in contrast savings, but also provides the ability to optimize the contrast injection process to improve image quality and patient safety.

Learning Objectives

• Gain insight into weight-based imaging strategies and how to implement them in clinical practice.
• Identify when saline may be a helpful addition to an injection strategy.

Supported through an unrestricted educational grant from Bracco Diagnostics Inc.

Anyone who enters the magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) environment, whether on a regular or infrequent basis, must be properly trained to ensure their safety, the protection of patients, and the security of other facility staff members. This program, Basic MRI Safety Training, Level 1 MR Personnel accomplishes the initial training that is necessary to ensure safety in the unique setting associated with the MRI system. It includes information pertaining to MRI technology, describes common hazards and unique dangers associated with the MRI setting, and presents vital recommendations and guidelines to prevent accidents and injuries. Importantly, this program provides the fundamental MRI safety information for Level I MR Personnel recommended by the American College of Radiology and may be utilized by individuals desiring preparation for safety training as, Level 2 MR Personnel.

With more than 30 years of experience in the field of MRI, the author of the best-selling textbook series, the Reference Manual for Magnetic Resonance Safety, Implants and Devices, and the creator of the internationally popular website, www.MRIsafety.com, Dr. Frank G. Shellock is uniquely qualified to present the information in this program.

Educational Objectives

• Appreciate the importance of MRI
• Identify the hazards associated with MRI
• Understand the screening process
• Describe steps to prevent accidents and injuries

This is a Pay-To-View program. Purchase is required for full program access. 

This program describes procedures to manage patients undergoing MRI with recommendations to prevent ferromagnetic objects from entering the MRI environment; techniques to manage claustrophobia, anxiety, or emotional distress; guidelines to screen patients with medical implants and devices; procedures to prevent thermal injuries; methods to handle patients requiring urgent or emergent medical care; summarizes contrast agent safety and includes information for nephrogenic systemic fibrosis; and presents methods to avoid problems related to acoustic noise.

Importantly, viewing the contents of this program constitutes documentation of complying with the MRI safety training that is specifically advised by The Joint Commission.

Educational Objectives

1. Describe the latest requirements from The Joint Commission for MRI with an emphasis on safety and training.
2. Present procedures for managing claustrophobic patients, screening prior to MRI, preventing ferromagnetic accidents, avoiding MRI-related thermal injuries, handling emergencies, and preventing acoustic noise issues.
3. Define methods to ensure compliance with the latest requirements from The Joint Commission for MRI safety.
4. Summarize The Joint Commission’s requirements for annual training on specific MRI safety practices.

This is a Pay-To-View program. Purchase is required for full program access.

RSNA 2017 Archived Program

As new technological advances in Computed Tomography continue to impact how healthcare professionals diagnose and treat patients with stroke, pancreatic and biliary cancer and other oncological disease; this program from RSNA 2017 features the following presentations. Each will provide insight into how advanced imaging is improving patient outcomes.

Saving Brain and Improving Patient Outcomes with a Better Acute Stroke Protocol
by Dr. Kenneth Snyder
Can UHR CT Improve Outcomes with Better Detection, Diagnosis and Staging of Pancreatic and Biliary Cancer
by Dr. Miyuki Sone
Improving Oncologic Outcomes Using a Unique 4DCT Solution
by Dr. Junsung Choi

Educational Objectives

At the completion of this program, participants will be able to:

• Describe how advanced physiologic imaging is transforming the treatment of acute ischemic stroke.
• Describe the limitations of conventional CT in the diagnosis of pancreatic and biliary disease.
• Be familiar with the clinical utility of Ultra High Resolution CT Imaging.
• Describe how hybrid Angio/CT systems are providing clinical utility in interventional oncologic imaging.

This program was originally presented live at RSNA 2017 and sponsored by the Institute for Advanced Medical Education (IAME) and supported through an unrestricted educational grant from Toshiba America Medical Systems (now Canon Medical Systems USA, Inc.).

In recent years, several manufacturers have developed CT scanners with the ability to acquire images at varying energy levels, thereby allowing imaging professionals to differentiate the various elements of the body based on their material density and atomic numbers.

This technique, known as Multi-Energy CT, Dual Energy CT or Spectral CT, to name a few, has the potential to revolutionize the way we depict and interpret CT scans. In this Expert Forum Webcast, Dr. Kevin Smith will share his clinical experiences with the use of Multi-Energy CT in a community hospital setting.

Following the presentation questions from the audience were addressed in a moderated Q&A session.

Learning Objectives

• Understand how Dual Energy CT compares to conventional imaging.
• Review common dual energy reformats and post-processing at our institution.
• Review clinical cases in which DECT has been deployed and added value in a community setting.
• Review the radiologists workflow for handling extra series and images.

This program is supported through an unrestricted educational grant from Philips Healthcare

The use of CT has rapidly increased in recent years leading to substantial concern regarding medical imaging-related radiation dose. An important strategy to decrease patient dose while maintaining image quality is the use of iterative reconstruction (IR) algorithms. These algorithms have the advantage of reducing image noise, improving the contrast to noise ratio and increasing subjective image quality of CT studies. Initial hybrid IR approaches have been increasingly superseded by model-based iterative reconstruction techniques that use precise system statistics and optics models to further reduce image noise. One such algorithm, iterative model reconstruction (IMR) is the focus of this presentation.

The presenters will discuss an intuitive approach to understanding the physics behind IMR and its capabilities with respect to reducing imaging noise leading to both an objective and subjective improvement in image quality on CT. Relevant literature on this topic will be reviewed. Finally, the presenters will show examples acquired from various parts of the body to demonstrate the benefits of IMR use in comparison to conventional imaging and hybrid IR techniques.

Following their presentations questions from the audience were addressed in a moderated Q&A session.

Educational Objectives

At the completion of this program, participants will be able to:

• Explain using an intuitive approach, the physics related to current model based reconstruction approaches on CT.
• Compare current model based reconstruction approaches to earlier algorithms, showing how they can lead to an improved image quality.
• Demonstrate examples from various parts of the body that indicate an advantage for images reconstructed with current model based reconstruction approaches

Supported Through An Unrestricted Educational Grant from Philips Healthcare.

In today’s healthcare environment, working in a vascular laboratory is extremely demanding, requiring a multitude of critical skills and abilities from today’s sonographer. The renal artery duplex examination is often viewed as the single most difficult examination performed. This lecture will cover a detailed description of the examination from patient preparation, to stenosis criteria and a broad array of tips and tricks in both a variety of normal and pathological settings. Sonography is very dependent on strong visual and motor skills along with critical thinking abilities.

This presentation is designed to help the sonographer and physician formulate a plan to deal with difficult clinical presentations:

Educational Objectives
Upon completion of this webinar one should be able to:

• Understand the common indications for performing the renal artery duplex examination.
• Note the importance of knobology and image optimization while insonating the renal arterial and venous system.
• Identify the importance of direct and indirect renal artery assessment.
• Discuss how to obtain a clinically diagnostic renal artery duplex examination.

Open MRI Systems have evolved enormously since their inception in the 1980’s and today true high-field systems offer an excellent, patient centric alternative to closed, cylindrical bore systems for imaging of basic and advanced applications throughout the body.

In this final installment of this 2-Part series, which is being chaired and moderated by Dr. Lawrence N. Tanenbaum, we will hear from Dr. John Feller who will address the advantages of high-field open MRI systems for MSK imaging. Specifically, he will cover patient comfort, image quality, isocentric imaging, metal artifact reduction scanning (MARS), solenoid coil technology, fat suppression, operational efficiency, and marketability.

Following the presentation, Dr. Tanenbaum will moderate a live Q&A where questions from the audience will be addressed.

Educational Objectives

At the completion of this program, participants will be able to:

• Describe how market forces including patient centric imaging are impacting today’s radiology departments.
• Describe how modern Open MRI Systems align with value-based care and are changing the way that imaging facilities do business.
• Understand the technical specifications of High-Field Open MRI Systems.
• Understand the concept of isotropic imaging and new fat suppression technologies.
• Describe the increased image quality and range of applications in MSK imaging.

Supported through an unrestricted educational grant from Hitachi Healthcare Americas