By Tobias F. Jakobs, MD*, Ralf-Thorsten Hoffmann, MD*, Thomas Löffler, MD**
*Department of Clinical Radiology, University of Munich, Campus Großhadern, Munich, Germany
**Department of Surgery, University of Munich, Campus Großhadern, Munich, Germany

Lesion measurement has long been an inexact science. Yet, judging the patient’s disease regression or progression is, to a large extent, based on documentation of exact changes in tumor size. Currently, when tumor masses are encountered in daily clinical practice, manual measurements made with electronic calipers are utilized. These are quite time-consuming and not reliably exact from examination to examination.

By Alec J. Megibow, MD, MPH, FACR
New York University Medical School, New York, USA

CT units from various manufacturers were recently put through practical tests at the German Heart Center in Munich in order to determine radiation exposure levels for patients during everyday operations. The results indicate that applied doses depend not only on the specific device, but are also significantly influenced by the operator. The study further shows that Siemens has developed particularly efficient radiation-saving equipment.

By Tim Schröder

In Tübingen, Germany, the partnership between radiologists and cardiologists at the University Clinic at Schnarrenberg – aided by Siemens imaging technology – is making great strides in the identification of vulnerable plaques.

By Hildegard Kaulen, PhD