Diagnostic Reading #40: Five “Must Read” Articles on Medical Imaging
Reading Time: 3 minutes read
Breast imaging news for Pinktober.
This week’s articles in Diagnostic Reading include: radiology field on alert for Pinktober 2020; MITA stresses appropriate device cleaning; is this the next step in breast imaging?; new ultrasound detector technology; and machine learning helps improve medication prescriptions.
A ‘drastically different’ Pinktober – Radiology Business
This year’s Pinktober is “drastically different” experts say, as widespread shutdowns of mammography screening services during the COVID-19 pandemic have left thousands of women in danger. Radiology advocacy groups urge the field to be on high alert during 2020’s Breast Cancer Awareness Month. To support the effort, the American College of Radiology released a new mammography toolkit, which includes a breast cancer risk assessment handout for patients and a template letter for primary care physicians and other providers. Read the blog on Innovative Digital Breast Imaging.
MITA warns the FDA of risks of ignoring OEM disinfectant guidelines – Axis Imaging News
The Medical Imaging & Technology Alliance (MITA) alerted the U.S. FDA about recent reports of inappropriate cleaning agents and disinfectants being used on medical imaging devices amid the COVID-19 pandemic. MITA urged the agency to issue a public communication about the importance of following the original equipment manufacturer (OEM) guidelines regarding the use of cleaning agents and disinfectants on medical imaging devices, to help ensure patient safety and the ongoing performance of such devices. Click here for Guidelines for Disinfecting Carestream Medical Imaging Equipment.
Synthetic mammography – the next step in breast imaging? – Diagnostic Imaging
Synthetic digital mammography images could be the next step in breast imaging—taking the place of digital mammography and improving patient experience—according to a study in the American Journal of Roentgenology. The study showed synthetic images re-produced from digital breast tomosynthesis scans have the same level of accuracy as those captured with traditional digital mammography. Incorporating synthetic images could eliminate added radiation exposure, the authors said. Read Why Radiographer are Most Qualified to Evaluate Breast Health.
German team pioneers silicon ultrasound detectors – AuntMinnie Europe
German researchers have created a new type of silicon-based ultrasound detector technology that is 10,000 times smaller than the piezoelectric crystal transducers currently used for clinical sonography. This detector utilizes a silicon computer chip that can confine light in dimensions that can’t be seen by the human eye. As a result, it can visualize features much smaller than modern ultrasound systems can. Unlike piezoelectric crystals, silicon is readily available and lends itself well to mass production, the research team said.
Machine learning tool analyzes brain scan data to predict mood disorder medication responses – Health Imaging
Scientists are developing a new technology that uses complex brain imaging data to predict how patients may respond to mood disorder medications. The group says their machine learning algorithm analyzes an individual’s functional MRI (fMRI) scan and compares it to thousands of others. Based on these results, and additional clinical information, psychiatrists can gain more insight into which medications they should prescribe. The work is backed by a grant from the National Institute of Mental Health.
