Unnecessary imaging among cancer patients?

Few would argue that MRI and PET/CT scans provide essential information to help physicians make appropriate diagnoses. However, a new study from Brigham and Women's Hospital Department of Radiology claims that more imagery sessions may be recommended than is necessary. Drs. Atul Shinagare and Paul Shyn, lead authors in this study, reviewed PET/CT scan reports of 250 cancer patients; 84 of these patients were told to undergo additional imaging tests, however, Shinagare and Shyn's analysis concluded that 43 patients did not require these measures. Reporting at the American Roentgen Ray Society Annual Meeting (May 4, 2012 in Vancouver), Shinagare and Shyn believe that reluctance of physicians to admit uncertainly with a diagnosis, legal liability concerns, and patients' clinical circumstances are contributing factors related to the higher than necessary degree of additional imaging tests. Further information on this case study can be found by clicking here.