Do you think stripping out textual identifying information in publicly available radiologic images will protect you against privacy violations? Think again. A paper presented Thursday at the 2010 RSNA meeting showed how facial images reconstructed from maxillofacial sinus and cerebral vasculature images could be matched in a database using commonly available face-matching software.

The dramatic growth of Medicare-related medical imaging utilization—which drew the attention of rate-cutting federal policymakers and the wrath of politicians on Capitol Hill in the mid-2000s—has ended, according to a study from Thomas Jefferson University in Philadelphia.

In the controversy surrounding using breast pain as a reason for diagnostic imaging, researchers find cancers may manifest in the absence of other signs or symptoms. During a study presented Thursday at the RSNA meeting, researchers found eight of 500 women seeking breast exams for breast pain were diagnosed with breast cancer.

It should be possible to reduce radiation dose levels by as much as 50% in CT appendicitis scans without seriously sacrificing accuracy, a study presented Tuesday by Duke University researchers concluded.

A study presented Wednesday at the RSNA meeting adds further evidence to the recommendation women with newly diagnosed invasive lobular carcinoma should have their contralateral breast screened with MRI. Most women aren’t routinely screened in the contralateral breast because whether to do so is highly dependent on the surgeon’s preference. This research, however, provides more evidence why they should: MRI detected synchronous breast cancers in 16% of patients.

CT scout or scanogram images make up only about 4% of the typical chest/abdominal scan radiation dose, but are an easy target for dose reductions, according to a study presented Wednesday. Further, as technology changes and protocol updates reduce overall dose rates, scout images will make up a relatively larger part of the total and still represent a good target for cuts.

Cancer patients saw a four to five times greater increase in their average annual exposure to imaging-related ionizing radiation than the general population since 1994, according to a retrospective study of more than one million privately insured people in the U.S.

U.S. hospitals could save nearly $22 million annually by deemphasizing CT in favor of diagnostic ultrasound as the frontline imaging test for suspected appendicitis. Such a change would also spare many patients unnecessary exposure to ionizing radiation from CT, according to financial evaluation and meta-analysis by Laurence Parker, Ph.D., an imaging economics researcher at Thomas Jefferson University in Philadelphia.

Patients’ risk of developing cancer from CT scans is not as high as previously thought, but the rate still doubled over the time period studied, according to a study presented Wednesday at the RSNA meeting.

Yearly mammograms greatly reduce the risk of mastectomy following breast cancer in women between the ages of 40 and 50, according to a study presented Wednesday at the RSNA meeting.

Digital radiography is no longer the province of just the well-heeled. Even small facilities with tight budgets are looking to make the jump to DR, and not just through computed radiography.

New MR introductions are emblematic of an effort at GE Healthcare to enhance patient comfort. These machines focus on patient-centricity, said Jacques Coumans, Ph.D., general manager of premium MR for GE.

Philips introduced at the 2010 RSNA two work-in-progress MRI scanners, the Ingenia 1.5T and 3.0. A key feature, according to Stephen O. Mitchell, Philips senior director for MR, is direct signal digitization, which can dramatically boost workflow.

Zonare Medical Systems is seeking to distinguish its z.one ultrasound scanners from handheld products, noting new high-end applications such as 4D imaging, unveiled at RSNA 2010.

Toshiba America Medical Systems framed the latest upgrades to its Aquilion One and Aquilion Premium scanners at the 2010 RSNA meeting as the means for improved productivity.

Siemens demonstrated Sie-Reality at this year’s RSNA conference. The new ultrasound technology displays fetal images that take on a third dimension when viewed through 3D glasses.

With this RSNA meeting, Philips Healthcare embarks on an ambitious venture, one the company is framing as “Imaging 2.0.”

New to breast imaging scientific sessions this year is a focus on molecular imaging, according to Dr. Constance Lehman, a member of the RSNA breast subcommittee. In an interview with Diagnostic Imaging, Lehman discusses what attendees can expect at the breast imaging sessions as well as which abstracts she’s particularly excited about.

Low-dose CT works just as well in the detection of acute appendicitis as standard dose. In an interview with Diagnostic Imaging Dr. So Yeon Kim explains the image quality of low-dose CT and the possibility of low-dose CT replacing standard dose in acute appendicitis patients.

Currently there are no common terms to describe suspicious lymph nodes for breast cancer patients. In an interview with Diagnostic Imaging, Dr. Brandie Fagin discusses why common terminology is necessary.