Simulteneous picomolar sensitivity MRI and photoacoustic imaging

Multimodality imaging studies have gained widespread importance because they allow limitations of individual modalities to be overcome while capitalizing on the strengths of the modalities that were combined. A new combination of imaging modalities has been achieved by Bouchard et al. (PNAS, March 2009), where they built a system and have performed simultaneous picomolar sensitivity MRI and photoacoustic imaging of cobalt nanoparticles. This system also has the capability of performing photothermal imaging. The research group's application for multimodality imaging is novel and presents great promise.

Critical appraisal of one's own work

Scientists and clinicians, because of the somewhat specialized area of their work and because the field of medicine is so competitive, may be tempted to overlook the weaknesses of their own work while only highlighting it's strength. This post highlights a recent article (Young et al., Nat Clin Pract Gastroenterol Hepatol, 2009) which presents a 10-step guide to critical appraisal of clinical data. In our opinion, these steps could be followed for a just criticism for one's own work.