Dear Digital X-Ray Insider,
The global incidence of hip fractures is increasing and is estimated to double by 2050 due to an aging population. With radiologists already in short supply, this development is cause for concern, according to researchers in Singapore. They recently developed an AI algorithm they believe can help manage reading x-rays to detect fractures. The story about the research is this issue's Insider Exclusive.
Policy experts at the Harvey L. Neiman Health Policy Institute in Reston, VA, also recently touched on the existing shortage of radiologists in an article that suggests nonphysician practitioners (NPPs) may be filling gaps. They found that the rate of diagnostic imaging interpretation by nonphysician practitioners (NPPs) increased by 27% from 2016 to 2020.
In other notable AI research, a group led by researchers at Duly Health and Care in Chicago developed a model that can identify patients with type II diabetes, while a team in South Korea found that highly accurate AI improved reader performance when diagnosing lung cancer on routine chest x-rays.
And that's not all. Here are several other AI digital x-ray research stories we're posted:
- According to a recent article in the American Journal of Roentgenology, a deep-learning AI model based on chest x-rays can predict 30-day mortality in patients with community-acquired pneumonia.
- An AI model developed by a team of researchers from China can differentiate between benign and malignant breast microcalcifications.
- A group in Genoa, Italy, found that an AI model predicted breast cancer risk with higher performance than breast density measures.
Ultimately, while AI research using x-rays continues to remain a hot area, one expert recently noted that algorithms can do even better if they are trained on data that don't rely on expert interpretations.
In interventional radiology coverage, we highlighted an article that aimed to raise awareness in the profession regarding the life-threatening risks of frequently prescribed antibiotics. Also, students appear to appreciate the value of virtual reality simulation-based training to learn about radiation protection.
Lastly, we published an article that compared hand x-rays and standard wrist x-rays for diagnosing carpal bone injuries. Which is more useful? Check out the story to find out how hand x-rays may be just as effective.
That's all for now. Be sure to check back often for more news in your Digital X-Ray Community.
