Lisa Fratt, Editor

CHICAGO—Greetings from McCormick Place! By noon on Saturday, it became apparent that neither weather woes nor air travel hitches could impede RSNA 2010.

The dreaded full-body scanner protests have fizzled, and though some weather woes hampered pre-Thanksgiving travel, Saturday travel was remarkably tame, according to reports from several corners of the globe.

Although the warm-blooded among us are shivering in Chicago’s frosty 35-degree air, temps are expected to soar to a balmy 50 by Monday. Early attendees are trickling in at a steady pace, setting McCormick Place abuzz with activity as they organize posters, collect badges and secure the all-important dinner reservations.

Much of the pre-show buzz is focused on a few topics: PET/MR, radiation dose and lung cancer screening. Whole-body PET/MR will make a splash at the show both in the technical exhibit hall and scientific sessions. Early studies to be shared at RSNA 2010 indicate that PET/MR produces images of diagnostic quality comparable to PET/CT. Look for more specific details about clinical research and technical specs throughout the week.

Radiation dose continues to make headlines. One way professional societies are addressing the issue is via the newly launched Image Wisely campaign, which addresses radiation exposure in adults. The issue is liberally sprinkled across the exhibit hall. Researchers will revisit the risks of developing a radiation-induced cancer and share new methods for tracking dose and measuring the effectiveness of dose reduction protocols. Meanwhile, major vendors have pulled out all the stops, making dose reduction the cornerstone of their CT slates and touting adaptive statistical iterative reconstruction, new protocols and decision support technology.

One of the late-breaking additions to this year’s schedule is a Monday afternoon presentation of the Initial results of the National Lung Cancer Screening Trial (NLST) by Dr. Denise R. Aberle, professor of radiology and bioengineering at University of California, Los Angeles and national principal investigator for NLST. The trial concluded early and could set the stage for a lung cancer screening program in the U.S. after researchers demonstrated a 20 percent mortality reduction associated with CT screening.

With 4,200 scientific sessions, posters and education exhibits; 700 technical exhibitors; 300 refresher courses and a former president on the docket RSNA 2010 promises to exceed expectations. The Health Imaging & IT editorial team is here in full force tracking hot topics, clinical and practice management news along with late-breaking announcements to deliver it all to you over the next few days and weeks. Stay tuned and let us know how you enjoy our coverage.

Lisa Fratt
lfratt@healthimaging.com
Editor of Health Imaging & IT