Dear AuntMinnie Member,
There are myriad potential uses for artificial intelligence (AI), and we're pleased to bring you one of them, as presented last week at the Conference on Machine Intelligence in Medical Imaging (C-MIMI) in Baltimore.
Researchers from Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH) discussed their development of an AI algorithm that analyzes single-energy noncontrast CT scans to classify urinary stones. They hope the algorithm could prove to be an efficient triage tool for patients, without requiring them to undergo more complex dual-energy CT studies.
The algorithm turned in good sensitivity and specificity, the MGH researchers told attendees at C-MIMI, which was sponsored by the Society for Imaging Informatics in Medicine (SIIM). Read more by clicking here, or visit our Artificial Intelligence Community at ai.auntminnie.com.
MRI of Zika
In other news, a research study presented at this week's IDWeek 2017 conference in San Diego suggests that MRI could be a valuable complement to ultrasound in examining pregnant women suspected of having been infected with the Zika virus.
A group from Children's National Health System in Washington, DC, used MRI in combination with ultrasound in a group of 48 women who had been exposed to Zika in their first or second trimester of pregnancy. While ultrasound was useful, MRI enabled the group to see subtle findings that weren't obvious on sonography.
Read more by clicking here, or visit our MRI Community at mri.auntminnie.com.
Imaging of dense breasts
Finally, visit our Women's Imaging Community for two new articles of note. In one story, researchers from Brown University describe the dilemmas that breast radiologists face when screening women with dense breast tissue, such as whether to order supplemental imaging and which modality to use.
In the second article, a new study indicates that the overall breast cancer rate fell 39% between 1989 and 2015. But disparities remain in how the disease is affecting black and white women. Read more by clicking here, or visit the community at women.auntminnie.com.
