Vista MRI News
>>7th April 2010 - CT and MRI scans are associated with shorter hospital stays and consequently decreased costs
>>17th March 2010 - MRI is effective in finding tumours in the contra-lateral breast of women diagnosed with cancer in one breast
>>27th January 2010 - MR Spectroscopy can identify Aggressive Prostate Tumours
>>30th December 2009 - MRI can tell when you're lying!
>>9th December 2009 - Pelvic Organ Prolapse better diagnosed by Dynamic MRI
>>16th November 2009 - Role for MRI in predicting the outcome in infants suffering brain ischaemia at birth
>>6th November 2009 - A study of ‘Sellick’s Manoeuvre’ using open MRI – new light shed by MRI on how a long-standing patient safety procedure works.
>>3rd November 2009 - University of Minnesota installs the world’s largest animal imaging magnet
>>3rd November 2009 - A new application for MRI in football
>>4th September 2009 - Vista Diagnostics acquired by InHealth Group Ltd
>>12th August 2009 - Usefulness of MRI in the pre-operative evaluation of the pulmonary arteries in tetralogy of Fallot
>>30th July 2009 - MRI software performs well in diagnosis of Alzheimer’s Disease
>>22nd July 2009 - MRI can accurately detect and localise ‘deep’ Endometriosis
>>9th June 2009 - Cardiac MRI scans find good news for marathon runners!
>>8th June 2009 - Delayed-enhancement MRI scan for senior marathon runners injuries
>>7th June - MRI scans play a growing role in soccer injuries
>>6th June 2009 - MRI scans may be significantly better at detecting some breast cancers at an early stage than standard mammograms
>>7th April 2009 - Vista holds 2008 prices!
>>6th April 2009 - Vista announces CPD events: New Trends in Management of Shoulder Impingement and Rotator Cuff Disease
>>5th April 2009 - Vista announces CPD events: First time shoulder dislocation in athletes / How Orthopaedic Surgeons Think
>>21st March 2009 - Vista announces CPD event: Pain Management in the 21st Century
>>16th March 2009 - Vista announces CPD events: Management of Recurrent Recalictrant Tendinopathy
>>12th February 2009 - Vista announces CPD events: Forefoot Pain & Ankles that won't heal
>>3rd February 2009 - Vista announces CPD events: Understanding & Communicating MRI Scans
>>26th January 2009 - Vista announces CPD events: Beijing 2008
>>2008 News Archive
>>2007 News Archive
7th April 2010
CT and MRI scans are associated with shorter hospital stays and consequently decreased costs
A study in the April issue of the Journal of the American College of Radiology (www.jacr.org) suggests that advanced imaging techniques such as computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), if used early, can reduce the length of hospital stay and consequently decrease costs. In the USA in-patient costs represent 18 percent of total health care insurance premiums paid and they continue to grow at a rate of about 8 per annum.
The study was carried out at Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston, MA and included 10,005 hospital admissions that involved at least one advanced imaging study during the period from one day prior to admission through to discharge. The results showed that the length of stay was significantly shorter for those imaged on the day before, or day of, admission as compared with those imaged on day one or two for all admissions of at least three days.
The mean length of stay for abdominal CT examinations was 8.4 vs. 9.7 days and for neurological MRI examinations it was 7.6 vs. 8.7 days. The average cost of a hospital stay in the USA is $2,129 per day so even reducing stays by one day represents a substantial saving.
The study design did not establish cause and effect, but clearly suggested that early imaging can expedite in-patient management and discharge in many patients. However, the authors do not suggest that advanced imaging should replace clinical judgement.
Reference: Batlle J C et al 2010 Journal of the American College of Radiology 7: 269-276 (www.jacr.org)
17th March 2010
MRI is effective in finding tumours in the contra-lateral breast of women diagnosed with cancer in one breast
Second tumours in the contra-lateral breast are not uncommon, particularly in older women, and clearly their presence may have significant effects on patient management. Studies have shown that MRI of the breast has a higher cancer detection rate than clinical breast examination and mammography alone in women at high risk for developing breast cancer. Women who have been diagnosed with breast cancer are at 2-6 X the risk for developing a secondary, contra-lateral breast cancer, compared to women at average risk. The combination of older age and a personal breast cancer history puts women aged 70years or older with newly diagnosed breast cancer at even higher risk for developing a contra-lateral breast cancer. Dr J R Bernard and colleagues at Mayo Clinic in Jacksonville, Florida, found that post-menopausal women, including those over 70 years old, who have been newly diagnosed with cancer in one breast had higher cancer detection rates when the other breast is scanned for tumors with MRI, compared to pre-menopausal women.
They found that 3.8 percent of 425 women had breast cancer in the undiagnosed breast that had not been found with a clinical or mammogram examination. They concluded that post-menopausal status was the only statistically significant predictor of contra-lateral cancer detected by MRI. In 72 of the 425 women, MRI detected a suspicious lesion. A follow-up biopsy showed that 16 (22 percent) of the 72 women had contra-lateral breast cancer (stage 0-1) that had not been detected with typical screening methods. Of the 16 women diagnosed with a contra-lateral cancer, seven were 70 or older.
In these women, detecting and treating cancer in both breasts at the same time may save costs, patient stress, and the potential harmful effects that may come from having to treat cancer later in the second breast when discovered later. While the increased incidence of second tumours in older patients was not a surprise, the team say they undertook the study because, to their knowledge, no published studies examining the use of MRI to screen contra-lateral breasts in women diagnosed with breast cancer have included an analysis of women 70 and older.
Since 2003, the Mayo Clinic in Jacksonville has offered MRI imaging of both breasts in women with newly diagnosed breast cancer. The authors acknowledge that there are controversial aspects to any recommendation for routine MRI in all newly diagnosed patients, the study should help focus the debate and appears to justify it in at least older age groups.
27th January 2010
MR Spectroscopy can identify Aggressive Prostate Tumors
Prostate cancers are common among older men but most of them are so slow-growing that they pose no danger to life. Current diagnostic techniques, which include measurement of a blood marker, the “prostate-specific antigen” are unable to differentiate the more benign (or even “in situ”) tumours from the more aggressive ones needing treatment. Even biopsy has its limitations in their assessment. Given the lack of a consensus on best treatment and given the significant side effects frequently associated with all treatments, this is a very important issue.
Now evidence is emerging that magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) may be capable of making a significant contribution to the problem. MRS provides information about the metabolism/chemistry of normal and malignant tissues and in a small trial recently pre-published on-line in Science Translational Medicine by Dr Cheng and colleagues at Massachusetts General Hospital yielded promising results. They had already found in 2005 that magnetic resonance spectroscopy could distinguish cancerous from normal prostate tissue on the basis of their metabolic profiles as monitored by MRS. Their new study used magnetic resonance spectroscopy on five cancerous prostate glands removed from men with the diagnosis. The results of the scans were compared with those of the standard technique, which judges a cancer by the degree of disorder produced by the malignancy. Five of seven regions identified as cancerous by that method scored high on a magnetic resonance spectroscopy malignancy index. The other two regions were near the outer edges of the glands, where exposure to air made the magnetic resonance results less clear.
The same thing could be done using guided prostate biopsies and the intention now is to move toward such a definitive trial. A validation study is estimated to require about 3 months and demonstrating effectiveness in clinical practice about 2 years.
The technology currently requires a higher magnetic field than that routinely used in general medical applications but it may be possible to adapt the technique to lower field instruments. Dr Cheng's program is one of a number of research programmes around the world tackling this important medical problem.
Magnetic resonance techniques have over recent years become more and more indispensible in the management of prostatic disease and this appears set to continue.
Reference: Cheng L LJan. Science Translational Medicine (on-line edition January 27th 2010)
30th December 2009
MRI can tell when you’re lying!
MRI is a very powerful technology in the imaging of pathology, and there is no controversy whatsoever concerning its many and growing applications.
Less well known, at least to the general public is the fact that MRI may be used to monitor brain function; this is termed Functional MRI or fMRI. This technique detects increases in blood flow to areas of the brain which are active in certain tasks or thoughts and is being studied by many research groups around the world.
Now Dr Thomas Baumgartner and colleagues at the University of Zurich have reported an intriguing application, namely to catch out those who make false promises!
He and his colleagues used functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) to catch promise-breakers in the act by setting up a game of trust between an ‘investor’ and a ‘trustee’. In this game, an investor was given real money to be invested in a chosen trustee. Giving the money to the trustee in the study increased the amount of money 5-fold, but the investor ran the risk that the trustee might not share the winnings but keep all the money for himself. The game was run twice: the first time, investors simply had to guess whether trustees would share the winnings and then made their decision accordingly; the second time, trustees could promise to share the winnings with the investor, if they wanted – although the promise was non-binding. Almost all the trustees promised always to share their winnings, thereby securing investment. While some of them remained true to their word, others consistently broke their promise, keeping the profits for themselves. Trustees had their brains scanned using fMRI during both runs, speaking to the investor from inside the scanner via an intercom.
The fMRI data revealed that certain brain areas became more active when trustees were making false promises. These regions – the dorso-lateral prefrontal cortex, anterior cingulate cortex and amygdala – are known to be involved in emotion. They could reveal an emotional conflict in a person who knows he is doing something wrong or feels guilty. These areas were active in people who were making promises that they later broke, but not in people making promises that they ended up honouring.
The finding raises the possibility of using functional brain scans for a great variety of previously unimagined purposes such as to determine the true intentions of criminals who are up for early release on parole. But a great deal more work is needed to validate such findings and to assess their reproducibility and reliability; in particular perhaps one question in particular needs to be answered: would individuals with “no conscience” or practised liars be caught out by such a technique?
Reference: Baumgartner et al. 2009 Neuron 64: 756-770
9th December 2009
Pelvic Organ Prolapse better diagnosed by Dynamic MRI
MRI is a powerful imaging technique with increasing numbers of applications. However, like other imaging techniques, it is usually performed as a static examination and in some situations this may lead to loss of important “dynamic” information.
In a recent study, Bennett and colleagues at the NYU Langone Medical Center in New York have carried out a study of women with a clinically suspected urethral abnormality using both static and dynamic MR imaging techniques (1).
They performed MRI of the urethra in 84 women with lower urinary tract symptoms using multiplanar T2-weighted turbo spin-echo and unenhanced and contrast-enhanced gradient-echo sequences for static imaging and then added dynamic true fast imaging with steady-state free precession sequence during straining in the sagittal plane.
MRI findings evaluated independently by two Radiologists were correlated with clinical symptoms.
Urethral abnormalities were found in 10 of 84 patients (11.9%). Thirty-three patients (39.3%) were diagnosed as having pelvic organ prolapse, of whom 29 (87.9%) were diagnosed exclusively on the dynamic imaging. In 29 of 33 patients with prolapse (87.9%), the urethra was structurally normal. MRI showed 13 cystocoeles and 17 cases of urethral hypermobility not detected on physical examination. Patients with a greater number of vaginal deliveries, stress urinary incontinence, frequency of voiding, and voiding difficulty were statistically more likely to have anterior compartment prolapse (p < 0.05).
It was concluded that use of a dynamic sequence permits both structural and functional evaluation of the urethra, which may be of added value in a substantial proportion of women with lower urinary tract symptoms. Dynamic MRI also importantly allows detection of pelvic organ prolapse that is frequently not evident on either physical examination or on conventional static sequences.
Reference: 1) Bennett GL, Hecht EM, Tanpitukpongse TP, et al. MRI of the urethra in women with lower urinary tract symptoms: spectrum of findings at static and dynamic imaging. [Journal Article] Am J Roentgenol 2009;193(6):1708-15.
16th November 2009
Role for MRI in predicting the outcome in infants suffering brain ischaemia at birth
Some 20% of cases of cerebral palsy and a substantial number of deaths of newborns are a consequence of acute ischaemic injury during birth.
In a new study from the Clinical Sciences Centre of Imperial College, London, Dr Mary Rutherford and colleagues have made two findings of considerable importance.
Firstly, they demonstrated that magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) can predict with 80% accuracy the likelihood of death or disability by age 18 months.
Secondly, they established the validity of a hypothesis that whole-body cooling might be associated with a reduction in cerebral lesions seen on MRI that are characteristic of ischaemic encephalopathy, including those predicting neuro-developmental impairment.
To test the hypothesis, they reviewed the MRI scans for 131 of 325 infants enrolled in the already published ‘TOBY’ trial (Total Body Hypothermia for Neonatal Encephalopathy trial. They found that therapeutic/prophylactic hypothermia was associated with a 30% to 40% reduction in lesions in various areas of the brain associated with neurological development. Compared with non-cooled infants, cooled infants had fewer scans that were predictive of later neuro-motor abnormalities, and were nearly 3 times more likely to have normal scans. The accuracy of prediction by MRI of death or disability to 18 months of age was similar in both groups (84% for the cooled group vs 81% for the non-cooled group).
No unusual patterns of lesions and no increase in haemorrhagic or thrombotic lesions were found in association with therapeutic hypothermia.
Reference: Rutherford M et al (2009) Assessment of brain tissue injury after moderate hypothermia in neonates with hypoxic—ischaemic encephalopathy: a nested sub-study of a randomised controlled trial.
The Lancet - early on-line publication 6th Nov 2009 (print edition January 2010)
6th November 2009
A study of ‘Sellick’s manoeuvre’ using open MRI – new light shed by MRI on how a long-standing patient safety procedure works.
Regurgitation of stomach contents during induction of anaesthesia can result in aspiration with serious consequences. In 1961 the British physician, Dr Brian Sellick, described a manoeuvre which has become a basic skill taught to all training anaesthetists and used all over the world routinely, most often in such patients as accident victims whose stomachs might not be empty before surgery or patients who have bowel obstruction or slowed emptying of the stomach because of certain drugs or medical conditions. The fingers are pressed against the patient's throat to prevent regurgitation and consequent risk of aspiration. It is also called “cricoid pressure” and has been described in terms of the compression of the esophagus between the cricoid cartilege and the neck vertebrae.
Some physicians have questioned the efficacy of the technique and some have abandoned its use. Their doubts were reinforced by a paper in 2003 which found that in some 90 percent of cases, the esophagus moves to the side during the procedure and it became widely believed that the procedure is effective only if done precisely at the midline of the neck and that it was somewhat unreliable in practice.
Now, anaesthetists at the University of Florida College of Medicine have used an open magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) system to image the neck during the procedure. The open system allowed the individual performing the technique to do so unimpeded in a manner reproducing closely the clinical setting. The study looked at 24 non-sedated adult volunteers undergoing MRI of the neck with and without cricoid pressure (CP). Measurements were made of the post-cricoid hypopharynx, airway compression, and lateral displacement of the cricoid ring during the application of CP and the anatomical changes studied. They showed that the manoeuvre does indeed work and that those who have doubted it have misunderstood the physical/anatomical underpinning of the procedure.
The MR images clearly demonstrate that the esophagus does not exist at the point in the neck where the compression is applied. Rather, the structure involved is the hypopharynx (above the esophagus) that is compressed between the cricoid and the spine posteriorly. The esophagus exists only inferiorly so its movement has no bearing on the matter. The procedure works if not for the reasons previously thought.
Reference: Rice M J et al 2009; Anesthesiology and Analgesia 109: 1546-1552.
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3rd November 2009
University of Minnesota installs the world’s largest animal imaging magnet
The University of Minnesota has installed the world’s largest animal imaging magnet and is preparating for the arrival of the world’s largest full-body human imaging magnet, expected sometime next summer. The imaging magnets, both built by manufacturer Varian Medical Systems, cost around $10 million each.
The 50-ton animal imaging magnet, brought to campus using a giant crane, is 16.4 Tesla, ten times the strength of typical clinical magnets. The human imaging magnet will be 10.5 Tesla. The powerful magnets are expected to produce a much better image quality and faster imaging. The animal imaging magnet will be used by University researchers to look at small mammals, primarily mice and rats, to observe internal anatomy and biochemistry of organs and, in particular, aspects of metabolism.
They will also be used to achieve better Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy (MRS), which allows study of metabolism, and for improved Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (FMRI), a technique used, among other applications, for mapping brain activity. The hope is that ultimately the research performed with these magnets will result in improved clinical imaging.
Another aspect of considerable interest is that by observing the behavioral and neurological effects on animals from chronic high magnetic field exposure, understanding of potential problems with human exposure to strong magnetic fields will be enhanced.
Reference: http://www.mndaily.com/2009/10/21/u-now-home-world%E2%80%99s-largest-animal-imaging-magnet
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3rd November 2009
A New Application for MRI in football
MRI has well-known applications in the assessment of sports injuries in general but in football a new and unexpected application has been found. FIFA, the governing body for international football, has launched a program of random MRI wrist screenings this month in an effort to verify the age of players competing in the under 17 World Cup Tournament that is being hosted by Nigeria.
The fielding of over-age players has been a problem for quite some time because the global competition draws talent from many parts of the world where age cannot be clearly determined.
FIFA hopes that by using this MR imaging assessment they can guarantee - with a certainty of about 99% - that all players are really biologically under 17, according to FIFA's chief medical officer, Professor Jiri Dvorak.
FIFA used to use X rays for this purpose but some member associations had raised anxieties about the use of ionising radiation.
Reference: Diagnostic Imaging. Vol. 31 (No. 10); October 6, 2009
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4th September 2009
InHealth acquire Vista Diagnostics
I am delighted to announce that Vista Diagnostics Limited has been acquired by InHealth Group Limited, a leading provider of diagnostic services operating exclusively in the UK.
Since its launch in 2007 Vista Diagnostics has established itself as a leading provider of low cost high quality MRI scans for self funded, insured, and NHS funded patients. The Vista team is looking forward to further developing its low cost high quality diagnostic service offerings, with the support of InHealth resources and expertise, for the benefit of its referrers and their patients.
Please look out for further announcements regarding service developments.
CEO, Vista Diagnostics
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12th August 2009
Usefulness of MRI in the pre-operative evaluation of the pulmonary arteries in tetralogy of Fallot
MRI continues to increase the range of its applications. One such relatively small print new but important application may be in non-invasive pre-operative assessment of patients with congenital heart disease.
Beekman and colleagues in Leiden have shown that MRI may have a useful role in patients with Tetralogy of Fallot. Pre-operative evaluation of these patients includes cine-angiography to delineate the pulmonary vasculature and the coronary artery anatomy and to demonstrate the presence of the possibly multiple ventricular septal defects (VSDs). Other information is obtained from color-Doppler-echocardiography.
The authors used MRI and cine-angiography on 18 patients with TF, four of whom had aorto-pulmonary shunts. They compared MRI and cine-angiography in the assessment of the ascending aorta, the main, left and right pulmonary arteries and found close agreement between cine-angiography and MRI.
In assessing intracardiac anatomy, MRI was superior to color-Doppler-echocardiography in the depiction of aortic override and right ventricular hypertrophy; in a handful of cases local stenoses in the pulmonary arteries were detected by both MRI and cine-angiography.
Hypoplasia of the main pulmonary artery was detected by MRI in six patients and by cine-angiography in five patients, cine-angiography missing one case.
In the demonstration of shunts, the spin-echo sequence demonstrated 2 out of 4 shunts in this series; gradient-recalled-echo MRI is expected to give better results.
The authors concluded that MRI may be used instead of cine-angiography to delineate the pulmonary arteries and that new developments in MRI indicate the feasibility of delineating the coronary arteries.
Reference: Magnetic resonance imaging 1997, 15, 1005-1015
30th July 2009
MRI software performs well in diagnosis of Alzheimer’s Disease
Alzheimer’s Disease is currently diagnosed on the basis of a history, a neurological examination and written tests. Imaging is used to exclude other pathologies such as stroke or tumour. Early diagnosis is desirable as some treatments are now available, but it is difficult.
Now Dr. Rahul Desikan and colleagues at Massachusetts General Hospital have reported that they can image changes in the areas of the brain affected in early Alzheimers. They confirmed that these individuals exhibit a significant difference in thickness and volume in their entorhinal cortex, hippocampus, and supramarginal gyrus. They use automated MRI software to detect the changes, and in a cohort of 216 patients claim a 95% accuracy in distinguishing mild cognitive impairment from normals, and 100% accuracy in diagnosing Alzheimers.
The software package is “FreeSurfer” developed at MGH and made freely available (surfer.nmr.mgh.harvard.edu). It is not yet ready for reliable clinical application and needs more and longer term assessment; it is strictly speaking not fully automated and is time-consuming and operator-dependent in its use. It should also be noted that by no means all individuals with mild cognitive impairment progress to Alzheimer’s disease.
The results are very promising in offering a possible non-invasive diagnostic tool in the foreseeable future in a disease in which currently the diagnosis can only be reliably made at post-mortem.
Reference: Brain 2009 May 21 (epub ahead of print).
22nd July 2009
MRI can accurately detect and localise ‘deep’ endometriosis
Endometriosis is a chronic and sometimes painful disease which is one of the most common health problems affecting women; endometrium is found in atopic positions outside the uterus. It can be found attached to other organs such as the ovaries, fallopian tubes, bowels and bladder. Symptoms include chronic pelvic pain, lower back pain, painful sexual intercourse, painful menstrual cramps, fatigue and infertility.
There are two types of endometriosis: superficial and sub-peritoneal (deep). Superficial endometriosis can be treated with laparoscopy. Deep endometriosis infiltrates areas of the cervix, vagina and/or the colon, and, less frequently, the bladder and ureter and sometimes requires complete surgical excision of the lesions
It is important that the diagnosis and staging of the disease distinguish between the two types in order to guide the surgeon to schedule the most appropriate procedure.
Radiologists in Brussels led by Dr Nathalie Hottat assessed the usefulness of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) at 3T in the diagnosis and accurate localisation of deep endometriosis.
"Pelvic MRI at 3 Tesla is a non-invasive technique that allows a complete examination of the pelvis," said the study's lead author, Nathalie Hottat, M.D., from the Department of Radiology at Erasme Hospital and the Université Libre de Bruxelles in Brussels, Belgium. "It accurately depicts all locations of deep endometriosis." The researchers studied 41 women, age 20 – 46, with suspected endometriosis. MRI was performed prior to surgery. MRI accurately diagnosed 26 of 27 cases of deep endometriosis. In addition, MR images accurately depicted specific locations of deep endometrial lesions. The 3-T MRI results also demonstrated a high negative predictive value of 93.3 percent meaning that MRI findings accurately ruled out deep endometriosis in patients with superficial endometriosis, allowing the surgeon to perform the less invasive laparoscopic procedure.
Colon wall involvement was present in 32 percent of patients with deep endometriosis and MRI was effective at distinguishing different layers of the affected colon wall and accurately depicted the degree of colon wall invasion.
The study has been published online in Radiology Info
9th June 2009
Cardiac MRI scans find good news for marathon runners!
Professor Peter Dawson, Clinical Director, Vista Diagnostics has noted some recent research which provides reassuring news for marathon runners.
Using a contrast-enhanced MRI scan, a Canadian group have demonstrated that myocardial functional anomalies, such as diastolic filling irregularities on both sides of the heart and a decrease from 64% to 43% in the pumping function of the right ventricle, detected in long-distance runners after they cross the finish line should not be interpreted as signs of possible heart damage. Rather, these fluctuations do not result in any true damage of the heart. The right ventricular dysfunction is transient, recovering one week following the race. Using cardiac MRI scans, Canadian investigators have found evidence that these abnormalities are only temporary. The cardiac health of 14 non-professional athletes was studied. And the investigators found no evidence of permanent myocardial injury on follow-up cardiac MRI scan.
This is the first time cardiac MRI scans have been used to further evaluate and understand the effects of marathon running on the heart.
See full article in Diagnostic Imaging Europe
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8th June 2009
Delayed-enhancement MRI scan for senior marathon runners injuries
Exercise is good for the heart but, on the other hand, the older the individual the greater the likelihood that it may induce sudden cardiac death! Thus older marathon runners are at some risk.
A German group has studied MRI scans with late gadolinium enhancement to try to identify those at risk in advance. They performed MRI scans of the myocardium with late gadolinium enhancement in 108 asymptomatic healthy male subjects aged 50 to 72 with a minimum of five completed marathon races during a consecutive three-year period. They also enrolled a control group matched for age and risk factors and excluded subjects with known cardiovascular disease or diabetes mellitus. All subjects in the study underwent gadolinium-enhanced MRI scans, and those with late enhancement underwent additional adenosine stress perfusion imaging.
The investigators found an unexpectedly high number of the nonprofessional athletes (some 12%) had late enhancement MRI scans suggesting myocardial disease, including ischemia, myocardial fibrosis, and scarring.
The authors concluded that late gadolinium enhancement may have important prognostic implications for older athletes.
See full article in Diagnostic Imaging Europe
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7th June 2009
MRI scans play a growing role in soccer injuries
Soccer is a very hard physical game and a great variety of injuries are associated with it. For all but superficial ones, imaging is assuming an ever greater role. Imaging techniques range from plain films through ultrasound and to MRI scans. The role of the last in soft tissue injuries is growing. MRI is essential in internal derangements of the knee, shoulder injuries and in tendinitis in a variety of sites.
See full article in June edition of Diagnostic Imaging Europe
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6th June 2009
MRI scans may be significantly better at detecting some breast cancers at an early stage than standard mammograms.
Professor Peter Dawson, Clinical Director, Vista Diagnostics has noted an interesting article in The Lancet (“MRI for diagnosis of pure ductal carcinoma in situ: a prospective observational study”) which suggests the sensitivity with which ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) is diagnosed by MRI scans is greater than with conventional mammograms. During a 5-year period, 7319 women were studied and underwent both mammography and MRI scans for screening.
For more information see The Lancet
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7th April 2009
Vista holds 2008 prices!
Vista Diagnostics the leading provider of low cost high quality MRI scans in Central London is pleased to announce that until further notice it is maintaining its 2008 prices.
Prices range from £200 to £400 per single region MRI scan, depending on day and time of appointment selected.
Prices vary based on daily demand, so the most affordable prices are available during less busy periods - for example, early morning.
The fee for Intravenous contrast if clinically indicated is £125 per dose.
To book an appointment call 0845 450 3559.
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6th April 2009
Vista announces CPD events:
New Trends in Management of Shoulder Impingement and Rotator Cuff Disease
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Title: |
Impingement Syndrome and Rotator Cuff Disease: The Management Principles for Primary Care. The session includes physiotherapy, injection techniques and referral guidelines. It also includes some information and innovation in surgical treatment and will offer the opportunity to discuss diagnostic and treatment options with two expert shoulder surgeons of the renowned Reading Shoulder Unit.. |
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Speaker: |
Ofer Levy studied medicine at the Hebrew University and Hadassah School of Medicine, Jerusalem, from 1976 - 1982. After completion of his military service he continued his general surgical training at Kaplan Medical Centre in Rehovot, Israel. He then moved to Sheba Medical Centre, Tel Hashomer, for his higher surgical orthopaedic training programme. In 1992 he was appointed instructor of Orthopaedic Surgery at The Sackler School of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, where his work included significant research into both clinical and basic sciences. In 1995 he was appointed Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon and Chief of the Shoulder Surgery Service at Soroka Medical Centre in Beer Sheva, Israel, whilst at the same time being appointed lecturer in Orthopaedic Surgery at the Faculty of Health Science at the Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer Sheva. Since 1997 he has been working with Stephen Copeland. In 1999, he was appointed Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon at the Royal Berkshire Hospital and in the same year he and Stephen Copeland established the Shoulder Surgery Unit at The Berkshire Independent Hospital. He is a founding member of the Israeli Shoulder and Elbow Society, a member of the European Society of Shoulder and Elbow Surgery and the British Elbow and Shoulder Society (BESS) and Corresponding member of the American Shoulder and Elbow Society. Professor Associate, the Orthopaedic Research and Learning Centre in the School of Engineering and Design, Brunel University, West London. He has published many scientific papers, written chapters to books on Shoulder Surgery and invited to lecture worldwide. Giuseppe Sforza studied medicine at Universita degli Studi di Bari, Italy, 1986 - 1992. After completion of his general surgical training, he continued his higher orthopaedic training at the same University. He spent periods of fellowship at the Danderyd Hospital - Karolinska Institute, Stockholm - Sweden and at the Southern California Orthopaedic Institute Los Angeles, United States, where he started research into shoulder arthroscopy and open shoulder surgery. Between 1999 to 2000 he was appointed Shoulder Surgery Fellow at the Reading Shoulder Unit at the Royal Berkshire Hospital under Stephen Copeland and Ofer Levy, where he gained vast experience in shoulder and elbow surgery. In 2000 after completion of his fellowship at the Reading Shoulder Unit, he returned to Italy and was appointed Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon at "Madonna delle Grazie Hospital" in Matera, Italy as head of the shoulder and elbow unit. Since 2001 he attended annually the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, United States for visiting fellowships under S. O'Driscoll and B. Morrey to improve his knowledge and clinical practice in elbow surgery. Since October 2004 he joined the Reading Shoulder Unit at the Capio Reading hospital, treating patients in waiting list initiatives. In 2005 he worked as Locum Consultant Orthopaedic surgeon and shoulder and elbow surgeon at St. Peter and Ashford Hospitals NHS Trust for several months. In 2007, he was appointed Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon at the Worchester NHS Trust. He is a member of the Italian Shoulder and Elbow Society and of the Italian Arthroscopy Society where he has served on the Educational Committee, organizing some national meetings. He is member of the European Society of Shoulder and Elbow Surgery. He has published scientific papers and chapters to books on Shoulder Surgery. |
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Dates: |
6 May 2009, 7pm – 9pm |
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Venue: |
Vista Diagnostics, 1st Floor Capital Tower, 91 Waterloo Road, London SE1 8RT |
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Agenda: |
18.45 – Registration 19.00 - Introduction to the evening by Mr. Patrick Carter CEO, Vista Diagnostics 19.20 - Impingement Syndrome
20.00 - Break 20.10 - Rotator Cuff Disease Mr Giuseppe Sforza, Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon, Reading Shoulder Unit
21.00 - Finish |
5th April 2009
Vista announces CPD events:
First time shoulder dislocation in athletes / How Orthopaedic Surgeons Think
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Title: |
First time shoulder dislocation in athletes / How Orthopaedic Surgeons Think |
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Speaker: |
Mr. Duncan Tennent FRCS(Orth) qualified from St. Bartholomew’s Hospital in 1992. After training at the Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital, Stanmore, he spent a year on an arthroscopic fellowship in Virginia, USA. He was appointed as a Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon with a special interest in shoulder and elbow surgery and Honorary Senior Lecturer at St. George’s Hospital, London in 2003. He also holds appointments as Shoulder Surgeon to the Metropolitan Police, special advisor in shoulder surgery to the States of Guernsey and as a visiting Lecturer to Orthopaedic Research of Virginia. His particular interests are arthroscopic surgery of the shoulder and elbow and he also spends much of his time in the NHS on complex reconstructions of both joints following trauma. He has written a textbook of arthroscopic surgery as well as publishing a number of scientific articles on the subject and holds the patent for a revolutionary arthroscopic technique for reconstruction of the Acromio-clavicular Joint. He lectures both nationally and internationally on shoulder and arthroscopic surgery and continues to teach undergraduate and postgraduate surgery at St. George’s Hospital. Privately Mr. Tennent consults at Parkside and St. Anthony’s Hospitals Mr Jonathan Bell FRCS graduated in 1987 from the University of London and has held the position of Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon at Kingston NHS Trust/Queen Mary’s University hospital since 1998. Mr Bell has a variety of research interests including ligament injuries of the knee, tendinopathy and predictive outcome measures of total knee replacement. With a specialist interest in arthroscopic knee surgery including complex ligament reconstruction and knee replacements including partial minimally invasive joint replacement, Mr Bell is a leader in his field. |
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Dates: |
5 May 2009, 7pm – 9pm |
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Venue: |
Vista Diagnostics, 1st Floor Capital Tower, 91 Waterloo Road, London SE1 8RT |
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Agenda: |
18.45 – Registration 19.00 - Introduction to the evening by Mr. Patrick Carter CEO, Vista Diagnostics 19.20 - First time shoulder dislocation in athletes
19.50 - Break 20.10 -How Orthopaedic Surgeons Think
21.00 – Finish |
21st March 2009
Vista announces CPD event: Pain Management in the 21st Century
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Title: |
Pain Management in the 21st Century This lecture looks at contemporary practice in pain medicine. Dr Jenner gives an overview of all the relevant aspects of pain medicine, including basic physiology and pharmacology, and a description of a number of common pain complaints including musculoskeletal pain (lower back pain, whiplash, thoracic pain) and neuropathic pain (including complex regional pain syndrome and neuropathies). Dr Jenner explains the multimodal approach to the management of pain including the role of different medications, physiotherapy and rehabilitation, minimally invasive pain management procedures and pain psychology, pain management programmes and advanced pain management procedures, including spinal cord stimulation and intrathecal pumps. The session is fully interactive with the course participants, which makes this a lively and interesting educational forum. There will be ample opportunity for asking questions, including questions about participants’ patients. |
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Speakers: |
Dr Jenner is a Consultant in Pain Medicine and Anaesthesia St Mary's Hospital, London, W2. He is also an Honorary Clinical Lecturer at Imperial College, London, SW7. He qualified at The London Hospital Medical College in 1995. He trained in anaesthesia at The London and St Bartholomew's Hospitals, where he developed a specialist interest in pain medicine. He then underwent higher specialist training in West London, where his posts included being a Specialist Registrar in Pain Medicine and Anaesthesia at St Mary's, Central Middlesex, Chelsea and Westminster and Charing Cross Hospitals. He completed a Fellowship in Pain Medicine at The Royal Marsden Hospital, London. He is Director of London Pain Consultants, which aims to provide pain-relief and rehabilitation, allowing restoration to a productive life. Dr. Outwaite trained in rheumatology, rehabilitation, and orthopaedic medicine. His special interests are the diagnosis and treatment of persistent painful conditions, which are not suitable for surgical treatment, including whiplash injury, persistent low back pain, complex regional pain syndrome, fibromyalgia, and knee and foot pain. He provides comprehensive programmes of exercise, and functional restoration programmes. |
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Dates: |
21 April 2009, 7pm – 9pm |
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Venue: |
Vista Diagnostics, 1st Floor Capital Tower, 91 Waterloo Road, London SE1 8RT |
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Agenda: |
18.45 – Registration 19.00 - Introduction to the evening by Mr. Patrick Carter CEO, Vista Diagnostics 19.20 - Pain Management in the 21st Century
20.00 - Break 20.10 - Setting up an FRP Programme
21.00 – Finish |
16th March 2009
Vista announces CPD events: Management of Recurrent Recalictrant Tendinopathy
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Title: |
Management of Recurrent Recalictrant Tendinopathy |
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Speaker: |
Dr Peter Malliaras is an experienced Physiotherapist who has worked with elite athletes at the Victorian Institute of Sport (Australia) as well as National and International level football, volleyball and basketball players and Commonwealth and Olympic track and field athletes. Over almost the past decade, he has devoted his clinical and research time to the management of tendinopathy, completing his PhD in this area. Currently Peter divides his time between consulting in private practice, practising as an extended scope practitioner in the NHS, and tendon research at Brunel University (West London). Dr Mark Wotherspoon MBBS Dip Sports Med (Lond) FFSEM UK qualified from St George’s Hospital in 1985 with a view to becoming a primary care physician and Sports Medicine doctor. Having worked in orthopaedics, rheumatology and A&E, he completed his GP vocational training in 1991 before obtaining his diploma in Sports and Exercise Medicine in 1992. He has extensive team doctor experience having been club doctor at Fulham FC for eight years, London Irish RFC for two years and currently at Southampton FC. He was chief Medical Officer for England and Great Britain hockey for seven years and was recently elected as one of the first fellows of the new Faculty of Sports and Exercise Medicine. His main interests are chronic groin pain, exercise related lower leg pain and under performance syndrome in athletes. |
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Dates: |
16 April 2009, 7pm – 9pm
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Venue: |
Vista Diagnostics, 1st Floor Capital Tower, 91 Waterloo Road, London SE1 8RT |
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Agenda: |
18.45 – Registration 19.00 - Introduction to the evening by Mr. Patrick Carter CEO, Vista Diagnostics 19.20 - Dr Peter Malliaras, Consultant Physiotherapist Wimbledon Clinics
19.50 - Break 20.10 - Dr Mark Wotherspoon, Sports Physician Wimbledon Clinics
21.00 – Finish |
12th February 2009
Vista announces CPD events: Forefoot Pain & Ankles that won't heal
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Title: |
Forefoot Pain / Ankles that won't heal |
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Speaker: |
Mr Dominic Nielsen (FRCS Tr. and Orth.) graduated from St Georges Hospital London, and undertook his orthopaedic training in South East England. To complement his general orthopaedic training, he has 18 months specialist training in foot and ankle surgery and also spent two years in a centre for complex trauma and limb reconstruction. He is a Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon at St George’s Hospital, London with special interests in foot and ankle surgery and complex trauma reconstruction. Dominic is an examiner for Medical School Finals examinations, and regularly teaches at national education meetings. He has written papers on a range of trauma and foot and ankle subjects including clavicle fractures, hip fractures, major injuries, Achilles tendon problems and has presented his work both nationally and internationally. |
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Dates: |
12 March 2009, 7pm – 9pm |
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Venue: |
Vista Diagnostics, 1st Floor Capital Tower, 91 Waterloo Road, London SE1 8RT |
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Agenda: |
18.45 – Registration 19.00 - Introduction to the evening by Mr. Patrick Carter CEO, Vista Diagnostics 19.20 - Forefoot Pain Mr Dominic Nielsen, Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon, Wimbledon Clinics
19.50 - Break 20.10 - The Ankle Injury That Doesn’t Get Better Mr Dominic Nielsen, Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon, Wimbledon Clinics
21.00 – Finish |
3rd February 2009
Vista announces CPD events: Understanding & Communicating MRI Scans
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Title: |
Understanding and Communicating MRI Scans - An Introduction |
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Speaker: |
Mr Colin Natali, Consultant Spinal Surgeon, Trauma and General Orthopaedic Surgeon was appointed to the Royal London Hospital, Whitechapel in December 1996. He also consults privately at The London Independent Hospital, The London Clinic, Harley Street, The Cromwell Hospital, and back2normal back and neck clinic, in London. His special interests include minimally invasive surgical procedures and the treatment of degenerative spinal conditions. |
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Dates: |
3 March 2009, 7pm – 9pm 5 May 2009, 7pm – 9pm |
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Venue: |
Vista Diagnostics, 1st Floor Capital Tower, 91 Waterloo Road, London SE1 8RT |
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Agenda: |
18.45 Registration 19.00 Introduction to the evening by Mr. Patrick Carter CEO, Vista Diagnostics 19.20 Becoming an expert in MRI
19.50 Break 20.10 Now you’re an expert!
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26th January 2009
Vista announces CPD events: Beijing 2008 - A Sports Physicians
Perspective
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Title: |
Beijing 2008 - A Sports Physicians Perspective & Sporting Ankle Injuries The aim of this lecture is to give attendees an insight into the role of a Sports Physician attending the Beijing 2008 Olympics as part of the GB team. This will cover a range of topics from pre-games preparation and living in the holding camp / Olympic Village to polyclinics, drug testing and dealing with the media! In addition we will cover common sporting ankle injuries - presentation, diagnosis & the latest treatment. |
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Speaker: |
Dr Mike Rossiter MSc (SEM), FFSEM (UK), MRCGP qualified from The Royal Free Hospital in 1991. He initially trained as a GP and was a partner in a practice in Wiltshire before deciding on a change in direction to Sports and Exercise Medicine. He completed his Masters Degree in 2002 from the University of Bath where he is now a clinical tutor and visiting lecturer on the Sports and Exercise Medicine course. He was recently elected as one of the first Fellows of the new Faculty of Sports and Exercise Medicine. He still maintains some General Practice but the majority of his time is now in Sports Medicine. He is one of the club doctors at Southampton Football Club and also at London Irish Rugby Club as well as the Chief Medical Officer for Great Britain Hockey (men and women). His main interests are in exercise related lower leg pain and underperformance syndrome in athletes. |
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Dates: |
26 February 2009, 7pm – 9pm |
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Venue: |
Vista Diagnostics, 1st Floor Capital Tower, 91 Waterloo Road, London SE1 8RT |
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Agenda: |
18.45 – Registration 19.00 - Introduction to the evening by Mr. Patrick Carter CEO, Vista Diagnostics 19.20 - Beijing 2008 - A Sports Physicians Perspective. Dr Mike Rossiter, Sports Physician, Wimbledon Clinics
19.50 - Break 20.10 - Beijing 2008 - A Sports Physicians Perspective. Dr Mike Rossiter, Sports Physician, Wimbledon Clinics
21.00 – Finish |
