Dear AuntMinnie Member,
With mortality rates ranging up to 30% in infants with necrotizing enterocolitis, there is a pressing need for sensitive techniques capable of accurately identifying the condition, according to a research team from the University of Michigan.
To that end, the group developed a large language model called Axpert that can automatically label the disease on abdominal x-ray reports. Read the full details here.
Another recent study suggests that an AI model can detect low bone mineral density on ankle and foot x-rays, which could be useful for screening for osteoporosis. And a third report indicates that patients may get better answers when they choose a chatbot trained in their native language.
Also in this edition of our Digital X-Ray Insider, we're highlighting two research efforts that underscore the importance of considering radiologyâs impact on the environment. A late-breaking presentation from RSNA in Chicago showed that shutting down angiography systems after 15 minutes of idle time can save half of the systemâs annual energy consumption, while a second study found that climate change's effects -- particularly higher outdoor heat and air pollution -- increase imaging use in the emergency department, especially x-ray and CT.
In news on dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry (DEXA), we noted that the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) recently placed a higher emphasis on its use for osteoporosis screening. We also covered research that suggests DEXA should be used to screen for bone health in patients undergoing lung transplants, as well as a study that used the scans to assess bone health in infants of women treated with tenofovir disoproxil fumarate to prevent HIV infection.
Finally, in case you missed it, have a listen to Episode 9 of our podcast, âKeeping Up With the Radiologistsâ in which experts discuss what the future holds for the chest x-ray, the most commonly performed imaging exam worldwide.
For more x-ray news, be sure to check in regularly with our Digital X-Ray content area.
Will Morton
Editor
AuntMinnie.com
