Episode 45 – Optimizing Contrast Use in CT Imaging

In this episode of Imaging Today, Dr. Emanuel Kanal is joined by Dr. Tobias Kummer for a practical discussion of contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) in emergency and trauma care. The conversation explains how microbubble contrast agents enhance the dynamic visualization of perfusion and active bleeding, with attention to applications in solid-organ injury, pediatric trauma, soft-tissue hematomas, cardiac imaging, and selected lung and abdominal conditions. Claim your Credit Here This MR iCast episode is supported by Bracco Diagnostics Inc. through an unrestricted educational grant.  

Dr. Teresa Chapman joins host Dr. Emanuel Kanal for a wide-ranging conversation about what makes pediatric MR imaging its own specialty. As Dr. Chapman puts it, children really aren’t just little adults — and that simple truth shapes everything from how young patients are kept still to how protocols are designed. Along the way, she and Dr. Kanal explore when sedation is needed and how teams are working to use less of it, the evolving story of gadolinium safety and why the newest macrocyclic agents like gadopiclinol are generating so much excitement, and the growing evidence that many studies can be done faster and even without contrast. Claim your Credit Here This MR iCast episode is supported by Bracco Diagnostics Inc. through an unrestricted educational grant.

Dr. Joshua Crawford, PharmD, Assistant Director of Clinical Pharmacy Services for Bon Secours Mercy Health, joins host Dr. Emanuel Kanal to discuss the historically limited role of pharmacy in radiology and how that is changing. The conversation covers what a clinical pharmacist does, the causes and lessons of the recent contrast agent shortages — from the COVID-era China manufacturing disruption to the 2025 allocation model — and practical strategies for weathering future disruptions, including when to bank product and how to select a backup agent in advance. Claim your Credit Here This MR iCast episode is supported by Bracco Diagnostics Inc. through an unrestricted educational grant.

Dr. Mahmud Mossa-Basha joins Dr. K to discuss contrast utilization and iodine stewardship in CT and MR imaging, highlighting lessons from the 2022 contrast shortage, strategies for optimizing contrast use, and the role of emerging technologies in supporting high-quality patient care. Claim your Credit Here This MR iCast episode is supported by Bracco Diagnostics Inc. through an unrestricted educational grant.  

Kellye Chia joins host Dr. Emanuel Kanal as guest moderator for a discussion on remote MR scanning and the newly created MR Safety Tech (MRST) position from the American Board of MR Safety (ABMRS). The conversation covers the forces driving remote MR scanning, the dual role of the on-site MRST as both an assistant to the remote technologist and the primary on-site safety lead, the new “Level 1.5” MR personnel classification, and the divided-liability framework — including traceable, time-stamped written orders — that supports safe practice. Claim your Credit Here This MR iCast episode is supported by Bracco Diagnostics Inc. through an unrestricted educational grant.

Dr. Kanal is joined by Dr. Strom to discuss recent updates in contrast enhanced ultrasound in echocardiography Claim your Credit Here This MR iCast episode is supported by Bracco Diagnostics Inc. through an unrestricted educational grant.

Dr. Jeff Maki discusses current considerations for contrast enhanced MRA exams as well as liver imaging Claim your Credit Here This MR iCast episode is supported by Bracco Diagnostics Inc. through an unrestricted educational grant.

Dr Rajan Gupta from Duke joins Bill and Kristan to provide his opinions and approach to body MRI. Claim your Credit Here This MR iCast episode is supported by Bracco Diagnostics Inc. through an unrestricted educational grant.

Ivo Hanza and Jo Puntil with Bill and Kristan discuss the clinical utilization of the modified barium swallow and the importance of standardization. Claim your Credit Here This MR iCast episode is supported by Bracco Diagnostics Inc. through an unrestricted educational grant.

Bill and Kristan are joined by Dr. Max Wintermark who discusses the use of gadopiclenol in neuro imaging Claim your Credit Here This MR iCast episode is supported by Bracco Diagnostics Inc. through an unrestricted educational grant.