European Journal of Radiology, 14 (1992) 0

a2

EURRAD

1992

82

Elsevier Science Publishers B.V.0720-048X/92/$05.00

00265

Editorial

Magnetic resonance: assessing the potentials Sjef H.J. Ruijs Deparrment of Radiodiagnosis, University Hospital Nijmegen, The Netherlands

There can be no doubt that Magnetic Resonance has a large impact on Radiology as an imaging science [l] and is rapidly increasing its significance in patient care 121. The 1992 Nijmegen Symposium on MR not only emphasizes this role by giving an overview of the development and the state of the art of Magnetic Resonance in The Netherlands, but also gives insight into future developments. A faculty of invited guest speakers, all leading specialists in their field, present lectures on those modalities that are being developed and might be considered as trendsetting. Many investigations have been done, and are still needed to give full credit to all the possibilities which MR as an imaging modality offers. Radiologists will have to face an increase in fastscanning techniques, in cardiovascular imaging and flow studies. They will have to add to their knowledge new fields such as Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy, which is developing rapidly and, in time, have a place in patient care [3]. In the recent past, the development of CT scanning has shown that new modalities will be used and adapted and that their outcome will be incorporated in the spectrum which is offered in diagnostic work-up. It has also shown that new modalities are likely to become a target of local and governmental discussions on costs and benefits. Throughout the world, but certainly in Europe, there is a strong inclination towards increasing governmental influence in these processes as costs of health care continue to rise but funds decline. This governmental concern deals mainly with the irreversibility of oncestarted processes and its outcomes on costs versus diagnostic benefits.

Address for reprints: Prof. Dr. J.H.J. Ruijs Department of Radiodiagnosis. University Hospital, St. Radboud P.O. Box 9101, 6500 HB Nijmegen, The Netherlands.

In order to establish the role of Magnetic Resonance in health care, its relation to other modalities and its impact on the well-being and effective treatment of the patient has to be put in clear and unbiased formulae that are open to critical investigations. Medical Technology Assessment (MTA) of MR should be seen in the context ofhealth care, not health costs or medical-industrial developments. Radiologists should reflect on these themes as in the near future ‘patients, politicians and payers’ will have more influence on diagnostic procedures and medical treatment than ever before. Therefore in the symposium these specific aspects of costs versus benefits are assessed with the aim to remind us that it is the patient who should gain from these new techniques. These stimulating themes are presented in this issue of the European Journal of Radiology. We hope that a wide range of readers will be reached and that all will agree that in Radiology ideas about diagnostic medical technology assessment should be developed further and the radiologist’s involvement in this field is definitely needed. I thank all contributors for their ‘labour’, and would like to congratulate the Organizing Committee of the symposium for their success in transforming these ideas into reality. Lastly I thank Henri E. Schiitte, MD, editor-in-chief of the European Journal of Radiology, for giving this symposium the opportunity to spread its knowledge further and better than we could on our own. I am sure the reader will agree with me that in this issue of the EJR something special is offered. References 1 Ruijs JHJ. Vivos Mortui Docebunt? Reflections 95 years after the discovery of X-rays. Eur J Radio1 1991: 13: 229-232. 2 Moore SG, Bisset GS, Siegel MJ, Donaldson JS. Pediatric Musculoskeletal MR Imaging. Radiology 1991; 179: 345-360. 3 Bottomley PA. Human in vivo NMR spectroscopy in diagnostic medicine: clinical tool or research probe? Radiology 1989; 170: 1-15.

Magnetic resonance: assessing the potentials.

European Journal of Radiology, 14 (1992) 0 a2 EURRAD 1992 82 Elsevier Science Publishers B.V.0720-048X/92/$05.00 00265 Editorial Magnetic reso...
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