Medical imaging trends to watch in 2025
The growing radiology workforce shortages have increased demand for innovative solutions to help address efficiency, including a wider acceptance of artificial intelligence (AI), according to Signify Research. The U.K.-based healthcare market research firm offered a list of predictions in radiology its analysts expect to see in 2025. Many of these trends were seen already at the Radiological Society of North America (RSNA) 2024 meeting in December.
These trends include:
• Expanding use of generative AI leveraging foundational models to help with patient summarizations, and a wider movement toward a larger number of generative AI products.
• Advances in imaging solutions for use in rural areas to expand patient access.
• Politics and economic uncertainty will likely impact imaging modality budgets.
• Vendor portfolios moving from product focus to more patient-centric care pathway solutions for cardiology, oncology and neurology.
• Greater interest in integrating generative and autonomous AI into products like information systems and electronic medical records may lead to regulatory bodies beginning to review these products because of the potential impact the AI could have on direct patient care.
• Growing focus on multi-modal AI that can extract data from a wider selection of sources for a more complete patient summary, or to include more relevant data when pulling patient history or prior images that may include information from clinical notes, labs and the electronic medical record.
• Increasing size a complexity of radiology IT deals will move beyond just multimodality systems and include more specialist tools for reporting, clinical AI and broader service offerings.
• Entry into the market of several new imaging system vendors, expansion of Asian vendors outside their domestic markets, and a large number of strategic partnerships for products and services.
Details on trends to expect in radiology in the coming year
"2025 is set to see the launch of new emerging technology, such as photon-counting CT, digital SPECT, and whole-body MRI. These segments have been previously dominated by a select few vendors but are now expected to attract new entrants. This shift will foster a more robust supply chain, intensify competition, and drive dynamic changes in pricing," the Signify Research analysts wrote.
They said personalized medicine is translating into "personalized imaging," where radiology is starting to move away from a one-size-fits-all approach and tailoring imaging to specific patients, one at a time.
In cardiology, Signify said coronary computed tomography angiography (CCTA) is rapidly becoming the primary diagnostic and triage tool for chest pain, especially as improving guidelines continue to shape premium CT markets. In 2025, U.S. hospitals will see reimbursement rates for coronary CTA double, which Signify said underscores the growing recognition of the modality's clinical utility.
Wider use of CT lung cancer screening is also driving a surge in lung biopsies. Signify said mobile C-arms are anticipated to be the primary imaging modality for guidance during these procedures. Mobile C-arms are also being used increasingly for ablation procedures, where another growth opportunity is opening for vendors.
Despite the importance of breast screening, Signify said many women still face barriers that hinder their participation. The analysts said this will lead to companies increasingly offering patient-centric solutions with options for women who have dense breasts or high-risk factors.
Signify Research predicts advances in portable imaging will enable clinicians to bring imaging directly to patients in various settings. These include rural clinics, emergency rooms, remote areas. The effect will be to improve patient access and reduce wait times. Also watch for new types of lightweight X-ray and cone-beam CT systems, along with an "explosion" of point-of-care-ultrasound systems (POCUS).
Additionally, they said, AI-equipped point-of-care devices will help non-specialists make preliminary assessments and provide real-time guidance, allowing for quicker intervention and treatment decisions. Signify analysts said this is particularly true in emerging markets overseas and underserved areas. These remote imaging systems will also come with an expansion of connected devices for real-time data sharing, remote monitoring and advanced image analysis.
In the MRI market, there will be increased adoption of so-called helium-free MRI solutions due to their compact, lightweight design and no need for a quench pipe, which enables easier installation in mobile units and siting these scanner in existing buildings.
Dave Fornell has covered healthcare for more than 17 years, with a focus in cardiology and radiology. Fornell is a 5-time winner of a Jesse H. Neal Award, the most prestigious editorial honors in the field of specialized journalism. The wins included best technical content, best use of social media and best COVID-19 coverage. Fornell was also a three-time Neal finalist for best range of work by a single author. He produces more than 100 editorial videos each year, most of them interviews with key opinion leaders in medicine. He also writes technical articles, covers key trends, conducts video hospital site visits, and is very involved with social media. E-mail: dfornell@innovatehealthcare.com