Another interesting day
in the windy city

BY BRADLEY M. TIPLER, M.D.

In addition to spending a few hours painfully reviewing MRI physics, I attended several interesting sessions at the RSNA meeting and did a lot of equipment shopping.

My practice is looking for a couple of new ultrasound machines–one high-end system and one for portables and interventional work. There are a lot of great machines to choose from, but no one is giving them away. All the current machines look great. Image quality is so good that I suspect price and service may be the ultimate determinant. Of course, last night Phillips (who now owns ATL) took a slight edge in the competition by hosting a nice reception at the Chicago Art Institute. All other things being equal, why shouldn't I encourage a company that supports the arts and gives me a nice Merlot?

Speaking of the Phillips/ATL merger, medical imaging companies are merging so fast around here it seems like a Las Vegas chapel. GE and Elscint, Kodak and Imation, Access and Emed, Picker and Elscint, and the list goes on. In a couple of years there will be three companies, and each one will have its own building at McCormick Place.

The powers that be in the RSNA announced what I consider a really wuss decision. They have reversed their decision to move the meeting to Orlando intermittently. Now they are saying the meeting may go to Orlando, but not before 2004, if at all. The announcement was received with applause today, which, I suspect, they will take as support for their choice. It wouldn't be mine.

It's fun to visit Chicago, but, I feel no particular loyalty to this city, and Orlando can be fun, too. The majority of RSNA members are not at the meeting, so obviously, they're not hooked on Chicago either. Negotiations have apparently convinced Chicago to provide more hotel rooms, a critical point according to the RSNA. Orlando still has three times as many rooms. You can get a nice two-room suite, including breakfast, for your whole family for about $110 in Orlando. The same money in Chicago will get you a locker at the airport.

I did get a little insight today that helps me understand this decision. At 10 a.m. the annual business session of the RSNA was held. Among other things, next year's officers were elected. There were 40 people in attendance, and the average age was about 65. These folks no doubt feel some attachment to Chicago. They have been coming here yearly for a long time. At this session President Fraser talked about the challenge of improving an organization as successful as the RSNA. I couldn't agree more. The organization is strong and getting better every year, but how hard would it have been to poll the members on the move to Orlando? Maybe the majority of members would like to be able to attend the meeting without spending $2500.

Another big question you have probably been asking yourself for years–where does all the carpet come from for the RSNA? For this meeting the Freeman Company laid about a million feet of carpet, just in the aisles. Most of it is new. When the show is over, they roll it up and take it to a warehouse for inspection and cleaning if it is still usable. Most of it is too worn to use in aisles, so it gets used in booths next year or trashed. The size of this meeting never ceases to amaze me.

"Learn the secrets of life and impress your friends. Read the RSNA Daily Bulletin," said a young man distributing my favorite publication.