Siemens announces the International CT Image Contest 2011

Following on from the amazing success of the first computed tomography (CT) image contest in 2010, Siemens Healthcare has announced the “International CT Image Contest 2011”.

Institutions and clinics around the globe will submit their best clinical images, taken with the lowest possible radiation dose on Siemens CTs, to a jury of internationally renowned professors. The contest starts on March 3rd, and the closing date for entries is September 18th, 2011.

The winners will be announced at the next conference of the Radiological Society of North America (RSNA 2011) in Chicago.

“In our first contest the jury received around 300 clinical images from more than 30 countries”, says Andre Hartung, Head of Business Segment Computed Tomography at Siemens Healthcare. “We are pretty sure that as many of our customers as possible will take part again, as at Siemens radiation protection and dose reduction have always been a top priority in CT, right from the moment when the company launched the first computed tomography (CT) system in 1974.”

Excellent image quality is essential for computed tomography (CT). At the same time, the patient’s exposure to radiation should be as low as possible. Siemens Healthcare aims to help its customers make maximum use of the hardware and software to reduce dose on CTs and to share their experience with other users of Siemens CTs and interested audience. Which is why a 2nd International CT Image Contest will be held from March 3rd, 2011 to September 18th, 2011.

Customers who use a CT of the Somatom Definition family, a Somatom Emotion, Somatom Sensation or Somatom Spirit will be able to present clinical images – which have been reprocessed with Syngo CT Workplace, Syngo MMWP or Syngo.via – in seven categories to an international jury of acknowledged experts: cardiology, angiography, dual energy, pediatrics, trauma, neurology and areas of their clinical routine, which includes thorax, abdomen and pelvis.

The Siemens “International CT Image Contest 2010” was a huge success, with participants from over 30 countries, who submitted a total of around 300 images. There was even a fan community on Facebook with more than 1600 members, who discussed the images submitted. In addition to which, all internet users could vote for their favorite picture in a public vote. The internet page devoted to the contest received 17,000 hits within 6 months. The aim was to make the public aware of the responsibility that manufacturers and radiologists have as regards diagnostic radiation. The innovative concept of the contest received the accolade of two well-known communication awards: the Comprix 2010 Gold Award and the iF Communication Design Award. For terms and conditions of entry for the “International CT Image Contest 2011” go to www.siemens.com/image-contest

The Siemens Healthcare Sector is one of the world’s largest healthcare solution providers and a leading manufacturer and service provider in the fields of medical imaging, laboratory diagnostics, hospital information technology and hearing instruments. It offers solutions covering the entire supply chain under one roof – from prevention and early detection to diagnosis and on to treatment and aftercare. By optimizing clinical workflows oriented toward the most important clinical pictures, Siemens also strives to make healthcare faster, better and, at the same time, less expensive. Siemens Healthcare currently has some 48,000 employees worldwide and is present throughout the world. During fiscal 2010 (up to September 30) the Sector posted sales worth 12.4 billion euros and profits of around 750 million euros.