Marketing imaging services

"Communication with physicians and patients is critical to successfully marketing technology," says Mr. Bouchard, author of a new handbook for radiology managers. In this section from his book, he describes the components of a successful marketing plan and tries to dispel several myths about marketing. He also describes benchmarks for success, and provides a sample plan to promote mammography services.     

CT and MR imaging of neurocysticercosis

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate whether unenhanced helical CT of the abdomen and pelvis, supplemented as necessary with delayed enhanced CT of the pelvis, is sufficient for urologists to treat patients with acute renal colic. MATERIALS AND METHODS: CT scans from 99 patients were analyzed retrospectively for the presence, size, and location of ureteral calculi and the presence and severity of secondary signs of obstruction. Clinical follow-up was analyzed by reviewing charts, directly communicating with patients, and reviewing surgical reports. Clinical information was correlated with CT findings. RESULTS: The findings of 51 CT scans were positive for calculi, and the findings of 48 were negative for calculi. The findings from two CT scans were false-positive, and none of the findings were false-negative. The sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy of helical CT were 100%, 96%, and 98%, respectively. A significant difference in stone size was found between patients who were treated conservatively (3.3 +/- 1.3 mm) and patients who underwent a urologic procedure (7 +/- 6.2 mm) (p < .01) and between patients in whom successful ureteral stent placement was the sole intervention (3.9 +/- 2.8 mm) and patients in whom initial stent placement failed and who then underwent a second urologic procedure (7.4 +/- 3 mm) (p < .05). We found no statistically significant difference between the conservatively and interventionally treated groups with respect to stone location. The presence and severity of secondary signs of obstruction were not significantly different between the two groups. CONCLUSION: Stone size alone was found to correlate with patient treatment. Stone location and the presence and severity of secondary signs of obstruction did not affect patient treatment. Because the degree of obstruction and relative renal function are not relevant to the initial treatment of patients with ureteral stone obstruction, CT is adequate for both diagnosis and treatment.     

CT and MR imaging of craniopharyngioma

We reviewed imaging findings of CT and MR imaging in 20 cases of surgically confirmed craniopharyngioma in an attempt to determine their relation to patterns of tumor extent. The relationship between these patterns and the frequency of preoperative CT diagnosis and MR imaging diagnosis according to the surgical diagnosis were determined. The CT technique was superior to MR imaging in the detection of calcification. The MR imaging technique was superior to CT for determining tumor extent and provided valuable information about the relationships of the tumor to surrounding structures. Thus, CT and MR imaging have complementary roles in the diagnosis of craniopharyngiomas. In cases of possible craniopharyngioma, noncontrast sagittal T1-weighted images may enable the identification of the normal pituitary, possibly leading to the correct diagnosis. Received 6 November 1995; Revision received 9 August 1996; Accepted 14 October 1996     

Three-dimensional imaging on a CT or MR scanner

Three-dimensional (3D) imaging on a CT or magnetic resonance scanner by the use of software that runs on the scanner's computer is one of a number of approaches to 3D imaging that have become available in recent years. It is shown that this particular approach can be made very inexpensive, provided that it is used in an appropriate manner in the clinical environment. The proposed methodology for the clinical use of 3D imaging on the scanner is illustrated by a discussion of the use of 3D98 (software designed for the GE CT/T 9800 scanner) for the 3D imaging of craniofacial surgical cases.     

Cerebral MR and CT imaging in Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease

Magnetic resonance (MR) imaging and CT of three patients with Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (CJD) showed bilateral cortical atrophy and no apparent white matter changes. Serial examinations revealed the progressive nature of the atrophy, findings compatible with the patients' clinical deterioration. At autopsy some white matter abnormalities were detected in one patient 6 months after MR imaging. The available data suggest that the white matter abnormalities, if present, develop during the final stage of CJD.     

CT and MR imaging in staging bladder neoplasms

Thirteen patients with bladder carcinoma were examined by magnetic resonance (MR) imaging and CT to determine the relative accuracy of the modalities in staging bladder carcinoma. Magnetic resonance correctly identified the presence or absence of extravesical spread of carcinoma in 10 of 13 patients (77%). Two patients were understaged and one was overstaged. Computed tomography correctly staged nine of 13 patients (69%), with three patients understaged and one patient overstaged. Neither MR nor CT was able to determine depth of invasion of the bladder wall in the absence of extravesical spread.     

PET/CT and MR imaging in myeloma

Myeloma is the most common primary bone malignancy. It accounts for 10% of all hematological malignancies and 1% of all cancers. In the United States, there are an estimated 16,000 new cases and over 11,000 deaths yearly due to myeloma. Plasma cell dyscrasias manifest themselves in a variety of forms that range from MGUS (monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance) and smoldering myeloma that require no therapy, to the “malignant” form of multiple myeloma. The role of imaging in the management of myeloma includes: an assessment of the extent of intramedullary bone disease, detection of any extramedullary foci, and severity of the disease at presentation; the identification and characterization of complications; subsequent assessment of disease status. This review will focus on the use of PET/CT and MR imaging for myeloma patients at the time of initial diagnosis and for follow-up management, based on current reports in the literature and our practice at the Marlene and Stewart Greenebaum Cancer Center, University of Maryland Medical Center in Baltimore, USA.     

CT and MR imaging in cystic abdominal lymphangiomatosis

We report the ultrasound, CT, magnetic resonance, and pathologic findings in a patient with cystic lymphangiomatosis of the retroperitoneum, liver, spleen, pancreas, left kidney, somatic soft tissues, and bone. Unusual features of this case include multiple organ involvement and the patient's relatively benign clinical course.     

白血病髓外浸润的CT、MRI表现

目的:对比分析白血病髓外浸润的CT、MRI表现,探讨CT、MRI对本病的诊断价值。方法:回顾性分析我院2011年3月至2013年10月16例经病理确诊白血病髓外浸润患者的临床和影像资料,探讨CT、MRI表现特点。结果:16例中,脑内及眼眶浸润4例,脑内病变累及颞叶、额叶、顶叶;单纯肺部浸润2例,累及上叶、下叶;肝脾同时浸润6例,均为肝、脾内多灶性病变;肺肝同时浸润2例;骶椎管内外受累2例。肺部病变为多样性,肝脏病变为弥漫性结节性,骶椎管内外受累病变为骨质破坏并软组织肿块。结论:CT、MRI可充分显示白血病髓外浸润所累及器官,但缺乏特征性,诊断仍需结合临床表现、病史、组织学、免疫生化检查等。     

CT and MR imaging findings in methanol intoxication

We present the CT and MR imaging findings in acute methanol intoxication in a 35-year-old man who was admitted to the emergency department with weakness, blurred vision, mild bilateral areactive mydriasis, and a progressive decrease in the level of consciousness. CT and MR imaging showed bilateral putaminal hemorrhagic necrosis and subcortical white matter lesions with peripheral contrast enhancement. There was only partial improvement in patient's Glasgow Coma Scale score during follow-up.     

CT and MR imaging findings in sinonasal schwannoma

We report a rare case of schwannoma of the sinonasal cavity, presenting with epistaxis and anosmia.     

MR and CT imaging of perirenal amyloidosis

The radiographic findings of perirenal amyloidosis have not previously been described. A patient with multiple myeloma and primary amyloidosis (AL) with secondary hydronephrosis as examined on plain film, retrograde ureteropyelography, computed tomography, and magnetic resonance imaging is presented. This case illustrates perirenal amyloidosis and demonstrates the utility of CT and MRI in patient management and surgical treatment.     

CT and MR imaging of radiation hepatitis

The authors describe two cases of radiation hepatitis evaluated by magnetic resonance imaging and CT with CT angiography (CTA) additionally performed in one patient. On CT the radiation hepatitis appeared as sharply demarcated region of lower attenuation than the adjacent normal liver. The region of radiation hepatitis demonstrated decreased perfusion in the portal venous phase of CTA, and 4 min delayed images following CTA showed increased density or relative increased accumulation of contrast. Magnetic resonance in both cases showed that the area of low density on CT had high signal on the T2-weighted image and had increased water content as determined by proton spectroscopic imaging method.     

CT and MR imaging of pericardial disease

The diagnosis and therapy of pericardial diseases are still a physician's challenge. Advanced CT and MR imaging technologies can display the complete morphology of the heart and the pericardium and of the adjacent thoracic structures with a spatial and contrast resolution below 1 mm. All the macromorphologic determinants of pericardial constriction and their functional sequels may be identified by these remarkable technologies. A careful systematic image analysis defines not only a precise diagnosis but also determines the optimal surgical or conservative therapy for the individual patient and minimizes the risk of perisurgical mortality.     

节细胞神经瘤的影像学表现

目的 探讨节细胞神经瘤的CT和MR表现.方法 回顾性分析18例经手术病理证实的节细胞神经瘤的CT、MR影像学资料,所有患者均接受CT平扫及增强扫描,2例接受MR平扫.结果 节细胞神经瘤好发于中青年,位于后纵隔8例,肾上腺5例,腹膜后4例,颈部1例.均为单发病灶、边界清楚,嵌入式生长可呈多种形态.CT平扫:12例为均匀低密度,平均CT值22～37 HU;6例密度不均,平均CT值13～46 HU,其中2例伴有坏死、囊变.2例见斑点状钙化.增强扫描:肿瘤各期均无强化4例,仅动脉期轻度强化5例,仅静脉期轻度强化2例,静脉期及延迟期呈轻、中度渐进性强化1例,三期呈渐进性强化6例;坏死及囊变部分未见强化.2例肿瘤内见肋间后动脉穿行,1例见腰动脉穿行并见细小分支滋养肿瘤.2例下腔静脉推挤受压移位,1例见颈部大血管被包绕.MR平扫:1例信号均匀,1例信号不均;T1WI表现为低信号,T2 WI呈高信号为主,脂肪抑制(SPIR)及扩散加权成像(DWI)呈高信号.结论 节细胞神经瘤的CT及MR表现具有一定特征性,尤其是CT示肿瘤为均匀低密度、伴有斑点状钙化、肿瘤内血管穿行但未受侵,增强扫描动脉期无明显强化或轻度强化,呈渐进性强化方式,DWI示肿瘤呈高信号时,应考虑节细胞神经瘤的可能.     

CT and MR imaging of desmoplastic fibroblastoma

Desmoplastic fibroblastoma (collagenous fibroma) developing as a slowly enlarging lower abdominal mass is described. The lesion had inhomogeneous low signal intensity (SI) on T1-weighted images, and mixed SI as low SI within high SI on T2-weighted images. On post-contrast T1-weighted images, the mass showed inhomogeneous enhancement. Histologically, the areas showing low SI on both post-contrast T1- and T2-weighted images consisted of dense collagenous components and reduced cellularity compared with the areas showing high SI on them.