We're hitting the road again this month with RSNA in Chicago as our destination - you may be, too. And we already know there's a lot to see on this year's adventure.
If you turn to our RSNA section, you'll see that we've started your trip-planning. From the imaging modalities to department and enterprise IT essentials, we're detailing the new products and enhancements debuting on the show floor. Check off what you need to see and map out your trek around the exhibit halls.
The major trends emerging from the abstracts this year show increasing use of multidetector CT for cardiac images, CT colonography and vascular and trauma imaging, as well as anatomical and functional MR imaging (fMRI) to evaluate and characterize conditions of the brain, heart, gastrointestinal structures and genitourinary system. MR also is being used to image fetuses real-time.
PET-CT is proving valuable in evaluating cancer, and guidance for procedures and follow-up, namely metastases, as well as for gynecologic disorders.
Interventional techniques, namely radiofrequency ablation, continue to gain in popularity, as do MR and CT angiographic imaging of vascular disease and MR-guided, high-intensity focused ultrasound surgery for breast cancer and uterine fibroids. Interest in interventional oncology has spawned a new Interventional Oncology Symposium co-hosted by RSNA and the Society of Interventional Radiology (SIR). Moving into radiation oncology, IMRT and IGRT are making gains.
Breast imaging is seeing increasing use of spectroscopy and CAD for mammography, while more radiologists are performing breast biopsies. Interestingly, CAD for both breast and lung analysis seems to be transitioning from algorithmic development to clinical evaluation since the number of clinical abstracts is taking the lead this year.
More of the sightseeing "must sees" include a visit to the Integrating the Healthcare Enterprise zone for sessions, demonstrations and exhibits, a walk through InfoRAD to see what the future holds, and Dr. William Brody's "Radiology - Back to the Future" oration.
To stay on the pulse of day-to-day happenings at RSNA, check out our daily news coverage in Health Imaging News (to subscribe for free, go to healthimaging.com/subscribe.htm). And we'll be offering some up-close review of the technology news from RSNA in Health Imaging News starting on Mon. Dec. 5th. But in the meantime, stash this month's issue in your briefcase pocket next to your gloves to bide your time when traveling. Happy Trails.
Mary joined TriMed Media in 2003. She was the founding editor and editorial director of Health Imaging, Cardiovascular Business, Molecular Imaging Insight and CMIO, now known as Clinical Innovation + Technology. Prior to TriMed, Mary was the editorial director of HealthTech Publishing Company, where she had worked since 1991. While there, she oversaw four magazines and related online media, and piloted the launch of two magazines and websites. Mary holds a master’s in journalism from Syracuse University. She lives in East Greenwich, R.I., and when not working, she is usually running around after her family, taking photos or cooking.