PET-CT Surveillance versus Neck Dissection in Advanced Head and Neck Cancer.

This study compared routine neck dissection vs PET-CT guided surveillance in head and neck cancer patients with Stage N2 or N3 disease. Survival was the same in both groups, however, surveillance resulted in considerably fewer operations and it was more cost-effective.  (N Engl J Med. 2016 Mar 23.)

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18F-FDG PET/CT in inflammation of unknown origin: a cost-effectiveness pilot-study.

For patients with inflammation of unknown origin, this study found that the use of diagnostic FDG PET/CT reduced hospital costs by over 50%.  (Eur J Nucl Med Mol Imaging. 2015 Feb 6)

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18F-FDG PET/CT lung focalities without coregistered CT findings: an interpretative clinical dilemma.

Focal lung uptake of FDG without anatomic correlate is very rare (1.5 cases/1000 PET scans). Respiratory gating can improve scan interpretation, avoiding erroneous reports or further imaging procedures.  (Nucl Med Commun. 2015 Feb 5. .)

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Eye dose monitoring of PET/CT staff

Eye dose monitoring of PET/CT workers.

Authors: Walsh C, O'Connor U, O'Reilly G

QUESTION: does eye radiation dose exposure need to be measured in PET/CT workers?

METHODS: a newly designed dosimeter was used to measure eye dose.

RESULTS: radiographers received the highest exposure of the staff groups studied, with the highest receiving an exposure of 0.5 mSv over the 3-month survey period. The estimated maximum eye dose for 1 year is approximately 2 mSv. A conservative estimate of eye dose can be made as being up to approximately twice the numeric value for whole-body dose.

CONCLUSION: Routine whole-body dose measurements may be a useful starting point for assessing whether eye dose monitoring should be prioritized in a PET facility.

ADVANCES IN KNOWLEDGE: Following the proposal of a reduced eye dose limit, this article provides new measurement data on staff eye doses for PET/CT workers.


Br J Radiol. 2014 Oct;87(1042):20140373

Does Your Home Need a UPS?

As a user of advanced medical imaging equipment, I'm a believer in steady, reliable power for both my imaging equipment and computers. What is important to note, is that the batteries in UPS units eventually need to be replaced, maybe every 2 or 3 years.Currently, I use APC units, however, am impressed with some of the new players in this area, and currently am looking at CyberPower.

Home equipment also deserves to have the power supply regulated with a UPS unit. We have one for our TV and others for our office workstations.

Should my lung lesion be surgically removed?

BACKGROUND: it is common for people to have multiple primary lung cancers with ground-glass opacity. How should these lesions be managed medically?

RESULTS: this is a case report of a 62y M with 7 lesions in the lung field. High resolution CT was performed along with F-18 FDG PET/CT imaging.

CONCLUSION: the authors found that using FDG PET/CT in addition to high resolution CT helped determine the most appropriate surgical strategy in managing multifocal lung adenocarcinoma.

Ann Thorac Surg. 2014 May;97(5):e151-3.

Obamacare sends health premiums skyrocketing

For young adults, men are seeing an average 78.2 percent price increase
in their health insurance, and women having their
premiums rise 44.9 percent, according to a recent report by HealthPocket, as reported by the Washington Times.



Obamacare sends health premiums skyrocketing by as much as 78 percent - Washington Times