X-ray

Medical X-rays have mostly converted from film, to computed radiography (CR) that used individual plates to record each X-ray digitally that then had to be uploaded into a PACS, to what is the standard-of-care today with digital radiography (DR). DR X-ray which allows immediate digital transfer of images into a PACS for immediate review. X-rays are used to diagnose fractures, bone abnormalities, lung pathologies and tumors, as well as monitor pediatric growth, plan for surgery and treat oncology patients during radiation therapy. More detailed anatomical imaging, especially soft tissue imaging, is usually sent for advanced imaging with CT or MRI. X-ray, especially mobile DR systems, are a primary use case for artificial intelligence (AI) integration. 

On review, popular imaging decision aid earns 1 thumbs-up—with caveats

With 91% sensitivity but only 25% specificity, the tool is worthwhile for clinicians who remain wary of frequent false positives that would send patients with no fractures for unneeded imaging.

Self-supervised AI ‘reads’ radiology reports to speed algorithm development

A machine learning system has come along that needs no human labeling of data for training yet matches radiologists at classifying diseases on chest X-rays—including some that the model was not specifically taught to detect.

FDA clears X-ray system that produces hi-rez cine loops for chiropractors

Konica Minolta Healthcare has received FDA’s go-ahead to market a dynamic digital radiography (DDR) system.  

Imaging fraud lands surgeon in jail

An orthopedic surgeon in California will spend seven years in prison for needlessly X-raying 10 patients hundreds of times over a four-year stretch.

The rise and fall of race-based radiation dosing: 4 lessons

Thanks to public outcry and legislative action in 1968, Black patients have not routinely received higher-dose X-rays than their fair-skinned peers for more than half a century.

An overview of artificial intelligence (AI) in radiology with Keith Dreyer with the ACR. Images shows a COVID-19 lung CT scan reconstruction from Siemens Healthineers. #AI #radAI #ACR

AI speeds, improves chest X-ray interpretations

Six radiologists interpreting around 500 chest radiographs with an assist from AI bested unaided radiologists in measures of efficiency and/or accuracy in a new comparative performance study.    

Carestream seeking Chapter 11 protection

Radiography OEM Carestream Health Inc. has filed for voluntary Chapter 11 reorganization with a federal bankruptcy court in Delaware.

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Mobile fluoroscopy machine, DR detector cleared for U.S. sales

The FDA has approved Xoran’s Tron CT system, a full-body fluoroscopy system that is fully mobile, and Viewworks’s Vivix-S F series flat panel detectors for digital radiography.

Around the web

The new F-18 flurpiridaz radiotracer is expected to help drive cardiac PET growth, but it requires waiting between rest and stress scans. Software from MultiFunctional Imaging can help care teams combat that problem.

News of an incident is a stark reminder that healthcare workers and patients aren’t the only ones who need to be aware around MRI suites.

The ACR hopes these changes, including the addition of diagnostic performance feedback, will help reduce the number of patients with incidental nodules lost to follow-up each year.