Almost 10 of every 1,000 patients evaluated for trauma injuries in 2018 received CT scans of the chest, abdomen and pelvis to supply a diagnostic view of, in essence, the entire torso.

The FDA has had a busy month, overseeing the recall of nearly 88,000 implantable cardiac devices, juggling the continued rise of monkeypox cases in the United States and maintaining an active Breakthrough Devices program. This rundown covers some of the agency's biggest moves during that time. 

Payers have been using rates agreed to by PCPs to justify underpaying specialists such as anesthesiologists, emergency physicians and, yes, radiologists.

Why does CMS allow radiologists to provide imaging supervision at an unlimited number of sites?

Children who begin using tobacco at 9 to 10 years old have significantly smaller brain area and volume than non-users within two years, according to a study published this month. 

When emergency radiologists overread interpretations of critically ill transfer patients, they discover discrepancies in fewer than 15% of cases. However, more than 90% of these second opinions produce a change in patient care or follow-up.

The FDA’s Center for Devices and Radiological Health (CDRH) has updated the status of two previously disaccredited mammography operations, rehabilitating the reputation of one while showing the other in limbo.

The presence of any or all of four factors can help ensure appropriate CT utilization in emergency settings: established diagnostic pathways, alternative test availability, involvement of specialists and feedback from referrers.