Dear Digital X-Ray Insider,
Hundreds of public COVID-19 radiographic datasets were created during the COVID-19 pandemic. A group from Luxembourg recently found that more than 110 unique COVID-19 x-ray datasets alone were used between January 2020 and March 2021 in 201 peer-reviewed papers.
Primarily, these datasets have helped artificial intelligence (AI) researchers develop deep neural networks (DNN) to help clinicians diagnose COVID-19 infections. But these DNNs are not all equal. The authors of a recent study suggest some are more accurate than others. Find out which one they picked as best in this edition's Insider Exclusive.
Chest x-rays are not the only images that appear suited for AI algorithms. We've covered stories ranging from algorithms that can detect hip fractures to automated systems for improving radiographic reporting. The following is a sample of more research in the field:
- An AI algorithm can improve the detection of trauma fractures on x-ray by radiologists and nonradiologists without lengthening reading time.
- Tuberculosis can be consistently detected on lateral chest x-rays by an ensemble of two different types of deep-learning networks.
- A deep-learning algorithm can help radiologic technologists and radiographers place anatomical side markers on knee x-rays.
Robust research efforts also continue on the use of dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry (DEXA), especially regarding what muscle mass and bone mineral density can reveal, as seen in these stories:
- Measuring arm muscle mass on DEXA scans can help predict mortality in older hospitalized patients with heart failure.
- Women diagnosed with breast cancer have higher bone mineral density on DEXA scans than women without breast cancer.
Finally, we gave a toast on March 27 to mark Wilhelm Roentgen's birthday, and wondered what the discoverer of x-rays would say about recent advances in the field, as discussed in these two stories:
- Dynamic chest radiography is a promising new tool for diagnosing patients with breathing symptoms related to diaphragm dysfunction.
- Dark-field chest radiography may be superior to conventional chest x-rays for diagnosing early emphysema, according to preliminary findings from an early clinical trial that were presented at ECR 2022 Overture.
That's all for now. Be sure to check back often for more news in your Digital X-Ray Community!
