Dear AuntMinnie Member,
Amid an alarming rise in the number of reported MRI accidents, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is preparing to hold a two-day workshop later this month on MRI safety.
The number of MRI adverse events reported to the FDA quadrupled over the five-year period ending in 2009. But experts disagree on whether there has actually been an increase in MRI accidents, or whether sites are simply more diligent about reporting them, according to an article by features editor Wayne Forrest in our MRI Digital Community.
Either way, the FDA plans to review the current state of MRI safety and look for ways to sharply reduce accidents. Learn more about the workshop and what will be discussed by clicking here.
Breast density bill vetoed in California
In other news, advocates in the breast density awareness movement suffered a setback over the weekend, when California Gov. Jerry Brown vetoed legislation that would have required mammography providers to inform women with dense breast tissue of their status.
Dense breast tissue can confound conventional x-ray-based mammography, and additional adjunctive breast imaging is usually advised. However, many women are never notified of their breast density status, leading to a growing movement to pass legislation mandating notification.
In his veto, Brown said he objected to the specific wording of the California bill, leaving the door open to reworked legislation in 2012. And breast density advocates vow to press on, both in other states and at the federal level.
Learn more by clicking here, or visit our Women's Imaging Digital Community at women.auntminnie.com.
