Author:
Dr. Fabiana Andrade Melchiori, from Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center

Computed tomography (CT) has always been one of the pillars of modern diagnostic imaging. It is usually ordered for a specific clinical question, read for that indication, and filed. Recently, the concept of opportunistic CT screening has emerged: the extraction of clinically meaningful secondary findings from already-performed routine CT exams, with no additional radiation exposure, additional imaging, or changes to the original scan protocol. Powered by artificial intelligence (AI), it represents a promising emerging development in CT practice.

Author: Dr. Shailendra Katwal, from Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center

The Paradigm Shift: Scanner Goes to the Patient
The conventional model of CT imaging has always demanded that the patient travel to the scanner. For the majority of patients, this is unremarkable. For the critically ill — the ventilator-dependent ICU patient, the hemodynamically unstable trauma case, the acute stroke in the ambulance bay — this journey carries real clinical risk. Mobile and point-of-care (POC) CT inverts this model entirely, and as radiologists, it is essential we understand both its diagnostic capabilities and its limitations.

Photon-counting CT (PCCT) continues to emerge as one of the most significant advances in computed tomography in recent decades. While early development focused on detector physics and feasibility, recent progress has accelerated translation into clinical practice, with expanding applications across cardiovascular, neuro, musculoskeletal, and oncologic imaging.

Dose reduction in CT imaging has been a topic of considerable interest for the last 25 years. Many new technologies have been introduced into commercial systems that individually can reduce doses by approximately 10-40% each, depending on the diagnostic task and starting dose level. Over time, these technologies have not only reduced radiation doses but have allowed improvements in image quality that otherwise would have raised doses.

Despite being one of the most effective tools for early lung cancer detection, CT lung cancer screening remains underutilized across the United States. Even more than a decade after national guidelines recommended its use for high-risk populations, overall screening rates remain far below target.

One potential solution may be hiding in plain sight: meaningful, proactive conversations between clinicians and patients.

Celebrating 50 years of CT Imaging

by Cynthia McCollough, PhD[CHM1]

October 1 marks the 50th anniversary of the first computed tomography (CT) scan, which was performed in 1971 by radiologist James Ambrose at Atkinson Morley's Hospital in London, UK. Considered by physicians as the most significant medical advance of the 20th century, CT scans are used today to diagnose and guide the treatment of more than 90 million Americans each year.

The recent COVID-19 crisis has temporarily eliminated onsite educational opportunities for members of the medical community and beyond. At ISCT we understand that the pursuit of knowledge is paramount and we would like to thank our fellow medical and industry professionals with complimentary access to ISCT's OnDemand Chest CT course for the entire month of April.

For those in the medical field, COVID-19 is changing almost every area of life - from the way radiology departments operate to huge shifts in the daily practices of radiologists, technologists, and residents. It’s also changing the way that we approach CME.