Dear AuntMinnie Member,
Disturbing news is coming from computer security firm Symantec, which issued a warning yesterday about the spread of a Trojan virus that appears to target healthcare companies -- and has been detected on x-ray and MRI systems.
The Kwampirs virus apparently enters computer networks through back doors that don't have full security protection, especially networks running the older Windows XP operating system. It's an infiltration tactic similar to the one used by the notorious WannaCry virus, which crippled healthcare networks in the U.K. last year with ransomware attacks.
However, rather than demand a ransom as WannaCry did, Kwampirs apparently begins collecting information about the targeted network. The goal of the hackers controlling Kwampirs is unclear, although they do appear to be specifically targeting healthcare firms. Learn more by clicking here, or visit our Imaging Informatics Community at informatics.auntminnie.com.
News from ARRS 2018
Meanwhile, the annual meeting of the American Roentgen Ray Society (ARRS) is underway in Washington, DC, and Features Editor Wayne Forrest is on hand to report on the proceedings.
Yesterday, researchers from New York presented a study that analyzed radiation dose when the combination of digital breast tomosynthesis and digital mammography is used for breast screening. They found that while the dose from the combined technique is higher than with conventional mammography alone, levels remain well within regulatory limits. Find out what else they discovered by clicking here for an article in our Women's Imaging Community.
For other news about women's imaging, but sure to check out this article that discusses the actual risk of overdiagnosis in breast screening. Past estimates of the overdiagnosis rate in screening have been all over the map (and usually vary based on whether the one doing the estimating is pro- or antiscreening). The new analysis tries to take an approach that's actually based on science rather than opinion.
And in a related story, researchers from the Cleveland Clinic examined whether a false-positive finding from a round of screening affects a person's likelihood of seeking additional screening exams in the future. The answer might surprise you: Find out by clicking here, or visit the community at women.auntminnie.com.
3D printing in radiology
Finally, another radiology meeting, 3DHeals 2018, wrapped up last weekend in San Francisco. The meeting covers the intersection of 3D printing and radiology, and we spoke with conference organizer Dr. Jenny Chen about her thoughts on this exciting discipline. Watch our video interview by clicking here.
In a related story, researchers from Johns Hopkins University have developed an augmented reality technique for guiding the implantation of surgical nails for femoral fractures. The technique creates virtual lines that can be viewed with a special virtual reality headset and could reduce both procedure time and radiation dose. Learn more by clicking here, or visit our Advanced Visualization Community at av.auntminnie.com.
