Rad To The Bone

10/10/2025

08/10/2025

A summary of Radiation Interactions:

07/10/2025

(October 6-10) is an opportunity to recognize the profession of Diagnostic Medical Sonography (ultrasound) which plays a vital role in the care and treatment of community members of all ages.

A sonographer uses an instrument called a transducer (or probe) on a patient over the area of the body under investigation. Sound waves are emitted and received and the ultrasound machine determines the size, shape and consistency of soft tissues which is then relayed in real-time to a computer screen producing an image.

Sonographers are medical detectives. They use their ultrasound training, technical skills, and understanding of the human body and its systems to decide if structures are normal or abnormal and adapt their investigation as they find clues throughout an examination. They also use patient history, lab work and previous studies in their role. The imaging information they obtain is then used by doctors to determine the necessary treatment or next steps for the patient.

The quality of an ultrasound exam is very dependent on the skills of the sonographer who completed the scan. As such, sonography is a growing profession and sonographers are in demand in hospitals, medical imaging clinics and tertiary healthcare facilities. Sonographers can also be employed as educators, researchers or application specialists.

At Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre (TBRHSC), sonographers are employed in the Diagnostic Imaging department and perform numerous general, vascular and cardiac ultrasounds.

For more information visit the Sonography Canada - Échographie Canada website at www.sonographycanada.ca.

📈 By the numbers:

In 2023-2024, TBRHSC'S Diagnostic Imaging (Ultrasound) department performed 33,105 exams. In 2024-2025, that number rose to 35,765 exams.

📸 Back row (L-R): Geoff Murphy (Ultrasound Charge Technologist), Josh Cutting (Manager, Diagnostic Imaging), Jacquie Cleghorn (Ultrasound Sonographer). Front row: Danica Defeo (Ultrasound Sonographer).

07/10/2025

Tuesday Journal Article Spotlight:

Title:
Applications of spectral CT in emergency department imaging, with a focus on neuroimaging

Purpose:
Multi-energy detector spectral CT is a specialized form of dual-energy CT, an imaging technique that takes full advantage of the entire X-ray spectrum applied during CT scans, enabling superior differentiation of materials that may be indistinguishable on traditional CT. Contrary to source-based dual-energy CT, the benefits of detector-based spectral CT are always available with every scan, without needing to preemptively manually select dual source technique at the time of scanning. In cases of questionable findings on conventional CT images that require enhanced material differentiation, “spectral” data collected alongside CT images scanned utilizing this technique can be instantly analyzed to improve diagnostic confidence, without needing to re-scan the patient. While applicable to various patient populations and clinical scenarios, spectral CT is particularly useful for neuroradiology in the often fast-paced emergency department. The authors’ facility uses the Philips Healthcare IQon Spectral CT in its own emergency department. This paper strives to briefly introduce some ways that spectral CT can be utilized to improve patient care in this setting.

Authors:
Jonathan M. Lowenthal, David Choi & Sathish Kumar Dundamadappa

You may access the full length article here: https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s10140-025-02358-x

02/10/2025

Are you interested in how artificial intelligence can enhance radiation protection of patients? Join us for part 3 of our 7 part webinar series!

This session will focus on AI utilities in diagnostic and interventional radiology.

📅 14 October 2025, 14:00–15:00 CEST

Join us to explore how AI can assist you in enhancing the justification and optimization of radiation protection in medical exposures in diagnostic and interventional radiology.

Experts in the field from Europe and the USA will discuss:
➡️ How AI can aid justification and clinical decision support;
➡️ The meaningful use of AI tools in image enhancement and dose optimization;
➡️ The role of AI in quality assurance, including automated quality control.

Sign up here 👉 atoms.iaea.org/3KoBcBQ

02/10/2025

01/10/2025

A 3D multitasking method enables a comprehensive, 20-minute, push-button cardiac MRI examination without ECG gating or breath holding, providing imaging measurements. https://bit.ly/3We8s10

30/09/2025

29/09/2025

“At Siemens Healthineers, we are committed to expanding access to advanced imaging for radiotherapy teams and their patients, in line with our vision of a world without fear of cancer.”

🔗 https://ow.ly/t75t50X3nsX

25/09/2025

Today is World Lung Day