Welcome to Chicago:

This is my first "webcast," so you readers will have to muddle along with me.

Since last year McCormick Place has actually grown. It is now the size of some Central American countries. For sure, the RSNA has put up far more signs than those countries. They have signs everywhere.

The passageway between the Lakeside building and the two newer buildings used to be a big bottle neck. This was particularly true because you had columns of people flowing counter-current, so you inevitably saw someone you know. It has been remodeled into a large airy walkway, where of course the RSNA had to put up some signs. As you cross the highway you can read about what exciting events await you in the other buildings. Sort of like the old Burma Shave highway signs–Come across/and you will see/the future of/radiology.

President David B.Frazier opened the show this morning and gave an interesting (if somewhat dry) talk on the future of radiology and CME. He hit on a lot of topics, one of which was moving the RSNA meeting to Orlando. At times he sounded almost apologetic. No need to apologize D.B., Chicago did it to themselves. Orlando will make for a nice change of pace, they just need to convert some of their five million fast food restaurants to real food before 2002.

Drs. McCloud, Zerhouni and Stanford participated in the opening scientific session, a look at Cardiac MRI. These are exciting developments in cardiac imaging, even if they were presented in an occasionally narcotic format. The take home point–It is not a question of "if" CVMRI will replace nucs, it is "when?" Since cardiac imaging accounts for roughly 40% of all medical imaging, this field will certainly be the WWII of turf battles. Right now radiologists control most of the MR units in this country, but you can be sure the cardiologists are planning their attack on Pearl Harbor.

Following the opening session there was the annual business meeting. There are about 35,000 radiologists in the US. Six thousand are pre-registered for this meeting. Fewer than 100 stayed for the business meeting. I get the impression most rads don't think they have (or want) a voice in the organization. Next year I'm going to show up with about 30 friends. I think that will be enough votes for a hostile takeover.

The Bears are playing right down the street today. The weather is unseasonably nice for Chicago. I'll talk about the exhibits tomorrow.

Quote of the Day;
"Here it is, come and get it. All the essential information for everyone in radiology." Young man giving out the RSNA's daily newspaper–a total waste of good trees.