Dear AuntMinnie Member,
It's known that breast density can be an accurate predictor of breast cancer risk. But measuring breast density is a different story, particularly given the qualitative and subjective nature of clinical guidelines.
Researchers believe that artificial intelligence (AI) can provide a solution by offering a quantitative measure of density that's not as prone to variation as human readers. They presented their work at last week's ECR 2021, and our coverage of the study was the top story on AuntMinnie.com this past week.
Another story on AI and mammography from ECR 2021 concerned a study in which an AI algorithm was used to triage digital breast tomosynthesis screening studies to determine which ones were least likely to have cancer.
At what age should breast screening stop? This is a question that's bedeviled both women and breast health experts, especially as clinical guidelines offer conflicting evidence beyond age 70. A new study examines this question in more depth.
Get these stories and more -- including a new column on the conundrum of axillary adenopathy related to the COVID-19 vaccine -- in our Women's Imaging Community.
USPSTF and CT lung screening
Big news happened in CT lung cancer screening this past week, as the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) released an update to its screening guidelines that would make millions more people eligible for the exam.
The USPSTF lowered the age at which screening should start from 55 to 50, and it also reduced the threshold for smoking history from 30 pack years to 20 pack years. Hopefully, the new guidelines will improve the uptake of CT lung screening, which is still thought to be low relative to other screening exams like mammography.
One area where the USPSTF did not ease up was in its requirement that a shared decision-making session take place between individuals and their doctor before a screening exam occurs. CT screening proponents have blamed this requirement for low uptake, but the USPSTF believes it's still necessary.
Be sure to check out another story from ECR 2021 on how thoracic CT can help monitor the health of obese individuals.
More news about CT can be found in our CT Community.
Chest x-ray in the ICU
Finally, be sure to visit our Digital X-Ray Community for a new report on how a New York hospital was able to reduce unnecessary use of mobile x-ray in the intensive care unit (ICU) -- saving both money and staff time.
While you're there, check out a story on how radiologists are increasingly performing lumbar puncture procedures.
