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An alternative to an open neurosurgical approach, the Visualase V2 MRI-Guided Laser Ablation System reportedly utilizes laser interstitial thermal therapy (LITT) for targeted soft tissue ablation in patients with brain tumors and focal epilepsy.

FDA Clears Enhanced MRI-Guided Laser Ablation System 

A partial response rate to neoadjuvant chemotherapy on mid-treatment MRI preceded a higher pathologic complete response (pCR) in 61.5 percent of women with triple-negative breast cancer, according to research presented at the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) conference.

Can Mid-Treatment MRI Help Predict Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy Response for Patients with Breast Cancer?

Assessing the simulated use of AI-generated suspicion scores for determining whether one should continue with full MRI or shift to an abbreviated MRI, the authors of a new study noted comparable sensitivity, specificity, and positive predictive value for biopsies between the MRI approaches.

Possible Real-Time Adaptive Approach to Breast MRI Suggests ‘New Era’ of AI-Directed MRI 

For patients with inconclusive ultrasound results, abbreviated breast MRI offers comparable detection of intraductal papilloma as a full breast MRI protocol at significantly reduced times for scan acquisition and interpretation, according to a new study.

Can Abbreviated MRI Have an Impact in Differentiating Intraductal Papilloma and Ductal Secretion?

Moderate or marked background parenchymal enhancement (BPE) reduces the sensitivity and specificity of MRI for breast cancer detection by more than 10 percent in comparison to scans with minimal or mild BPE, according to a new meta-analysis.

Breast MRI and Background Parenchymal Enhancement: What a Meta-Analysis Reveals

While traditional non-adaptive radiotherapy for glioblastomas has reportedly yielded an approximate 11 percent rate of marginal failure, recently presented findings from the UNITED trial revealed that magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)-guided radiation reduced the marginal failure rate to 4.1 percent.

Utilizing the MR-Linac system (Elekta) to facilitate a 5 mm target margin, daily MRI monitoring and weekly changes to a personalized radiotherapy dose plan, the study authors found that 80 percent of patients had a reduction in gross tumor volume (GTV) during treatment.

In a recent interview, Arjun Sahgal, M.D., said the use of the MR-Linac system to facilitate ongoing improvements in targeting with adaptative radiotherapy is a significant advance in the treatment of high-grade gliomas.

“ … You’re constantly evolving to create a personalized radiotherapy field for that patient. … If (the tumor) is getting smaller, you can actually reduce the amount of healthy brain tissue that you radiate. So it’s a whole new paradigm in the approach to glioblastoma that came about as a result of MR-Linac technology,” explained Dr. Sahgal, the chief of radiation oncology at Sunnybrook Odette Cancer Center in Toronto, Canada.

Dr. Sahgal noted that physicians historically obtained MRIs at baseline and three months after radiotherapy treatment for glioblastoma. However, they found in the UNITED trial that over 50 percent of patients with glioblastomas had greater than 5 mm of tumor displacement, on average, during treatment.

“This idea of changing or adapting on a weekly basis to a tumor and adjusting that margin that we take in a personalized way is actually very unique in radiotherapy overall. It has not yet been done in many sites. In fact, we're probably one of the more advanced sites to use the power of adaptive radiotherapy in a clinical trial to date,” noted Dr. Sahgal, the president of the International Stereotactic Radiosurgery Society.

(Editor’s note: For related content, see “

What MRI Research Reveals About Tumor Sphericity in Patients with IDH-Wildtype Glioblastoma

What Does the Future Hold for Brain Imaging and Radiotherapy?

Can AI Help Differentiate Between Tumor Recurrence and Pseudoprogression on MRI in Patients with Glioblastoma?

For more insights from Dr. Sahgal, watch the video below.

Arjun Sahgal, M.D., discusses emerging research examining the use of MRI-guided adaptive radiotherapy to treat glioblastomas.

A Closer Look at MRI-Guided Adaptive Radiotherapy for Monitoring and Treating Glioblastomas

In a recent interview, Arjun Sahgal, M.D., discussed current and emerging research examining the potential of MRI-guided adaptive radiotherapy for treating glioblastomas.

While Marfan syndrome is a clinical diagnosis, Alan C. Braverman, M.D., FACC, noted in a recent interview that radiologists play an “invaluable” role in facilitating early diagnosis of this genetic aortic condition.

“They can be the first to put the words into a clinician's mind that this condition that they're seeing on imaging could be something much more,” emphasized Dr. Braverman, the director of the Marfan Syndrome and Aortopathy Center at the Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, Mo.

“When there are combinations of findings — root aneurysm, tortuous arteries, mitral valve prolapse — when these features are seen on an imaging study, not just reporting them in diameters accurately, but also suggesting the possibility of something more, like Marfan syndrome or some genetic aortic condition when unexplained in a young person, in particular, can be so helpful to the clinician. It's invaluable.”

For patients with Marfan syndrome, Dr. Braverman emphasized complete assessment of the proximal aorta. Noting that an enlarged aortic root is common in this patient population, Dr. Braverman said the diameter of the aortic root generally exceeds 40 millimeters in younger male patients and 37 millimeters in younger female patients.

While these findings can be visualized very well on echocardiogram, cross-sectional imaging with computed tomography angiography (CTA) or magnetic resonance angiography (MRA) are recommended for initial diagnosis in adult patients and can aid in differentiating between Marfan syndrome and other conditions, such as Loeys-Dietz syndrome, noted Dr. Braverman, a professor of medicine and alumni endowed professor of cardiovascular diseases at the University of Washington School of Medicine.

Improving Adherence to Best Practices for Incidental Abdominal Aortic Aneurysms on CT and MRI

Emerging ECG-Based AI Screening Software for Aortic Valve Stenosis Gets FDA’s Breakthrough Device Designation

Cardiac Ultrasound Update: FDA Clears Software with 45 Automated Parameters for Echocardiographic Analysis

For more insights from Dr. Braverman, watch the video below.

Alan Braverman, MD, discusses the role of radiologists in facilitating the timely diagnosis of Marfan syndrome.

Pertinent Insights into the Imaging of Patients with Marfan Syndrome

Emphasizing the role of radiologists in facilitating timely diagnosis of Marfan syndrome, Alan Braverman, M.D. discussed the use of echocardiography, CT, and MRI in evaluating patients with this genetic aortic condition.

In a brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) study of over 1,000 young adults, researchers found that 63 percent of those who have used cannabis 1,000 or more times have reduced brain activation for working memory tasks.

For the cross-sectional study, recently published in 

 findings, urine toxicology reports and cannabis use data for 1,003 young adults (mean age of 28.7). According to the study, 88 participants were heavy cannabis users (1,000 or more uses of the drug) and 179 participants were moderate users (10 to 999 uses) with the remaining 736 participants described as non-users (less than 10 uses of cannabis).

In a recent interview, lead study author Joshua Gowin, M.D., said heavy lifetime use of cannabis was associated with lower brain activation during the working memory task with a pronounced impact on the anterior insula, medial prefrontal cortex, and dorsolateral prefrontal cortex.

(Editor’s note: For additional content on MRI, click 

“The prefrontal cortex is certainly associated with executive function and executive control. … One of the reasons why the prefrontal cortex is activated during the working memory task is because you have to keep track of a lot of things, and it's cognitively demanding. Since we saw lower activation in the cannabis users in (the prefrontal cortex), we suspect that … cannabis users had perhaps less ability to ramp up that brain region during the cognitively demanding working memory task,” noted Dr. Gowin, an assistant professor of radiology at the University of Colorado School of Medicine in Aurora, Colo.

Chest CT Study Shows Higher Emphysema Risk from Combination of Marijuana and Cigarette Smoking

Hybrid PET/MRI Assessment with Hippocampal Radiomics May Facilitate Early Alzheimer’s Diagnosis

A Closer Look at the New Appropriate Use Criteria for Brain PET: An Interview with Phillip Kuo, MD, Part 2

For more insights from Dr. Gowin, watch the video below.

In a recent interview, Joshua Gowin, MD, discusses new brain MRI search showing a significant link between heavy lifetime cannabis use and reduced brain activity for working memory tasks.

What New Brain MRI Research Reveals About Cannabis Use and Working Memory Tasks

In a recent interview, Joshua Gowin, M.D., discussed emerging brain MRI research that showed a significant association between heavy lifetime use of cannabis and reduced brain activity for working memory tasks in young adults.

While the final rule for the Mammography Quality Standards Act (MQSA) with respect to a national standard for breast density notification on mammography reports was issued in March 2023, implementation has been a significant undertaking.

“For states that did not have a breast density law before, I think this is a very heavy lift,” noted Stamatia Destounis, M.D., FACR, FSBI, FAIUM, a breast imaging specialist with Elizabeth Wende Breast Care in Rochester, N.Y., and chair of the American College of Radiology (ACR) Breast Imaging Commission.

Noting that breast density notification has been the law since January 2013 in New York, Dr. Destounis emphasized the importance of ongoing education for staff, patients and referring physicians. She recalled it taking about three to four years before physicians started asking questions about breast density.

In anticipation of the nationwide standard for breast density notification going into effect on September 10, 2024, Dr. Destounis said her facility revamped their website and emphasized social media to spread the word to patients. Accordingly, she has seen an “uptick of calls and appointments” for patients seeking genetic counseling at her facility, which has led to increased supplemental breast MRI screening.

“Many go ahead and schedule their supplemental screening with their mammogram,” added Dr. Destounis.

In order to accommodate the increased imaging volume. Dr. Destounis said her facility has hired more staff, expanded hours during the week and added weekend hours as well.

While the ongoing educational, logistical, and staffing challenges can be onerous, Dr. Destounis emphasized that every week, she is seeing cases of small invasive breast cancers on ultrasound and linear ductal enhancement on breast MRI that cannot be found on standard mammography.

Current Insights on National Breast Density Notification for Mammography Reports

Looking at Next Steps to Reinforce National Breast Density Notification

Long-Term Study Shows Merits of Contrast-Enhanced Mammography for Women with Higher Breast Cancer Risk

For more insights from Dr. Destounis, watch the video below.

In a recent interview, Stamatia Destounis, MD, discussed the impact of national breast density notification for mammography reports.

Addressing the Early Impact of National Breast Density Notification for Mammography Reports

In a recent interview, Stamatia Destounis, M.D., discussed the impact of national breast density notification for mammography reports and key considerations with staffing and ongoing education for patients, staff and referring providers on the merits of supplemental breast imaging.

Stacy Smith-Foley, M.D., was pleased to see the United States Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) realign with the American College of Radiology (ACR) and the Society of Breast Imaging (SBI) in recommending mammography screening to begin at 40 years of age for women of average risk for breast cancer.

However, in a recent interview, Dr. Smith-Foley expressed disappointment with the 

USPSTF’s lack of support for supplemental imaging in women with dense breasts and continued mammography screening for women 75 and older

, as well as the emphasis on biennial mammography screening for women 40 to 74 years of age.

Yearly mammography screening gives women the best chance for early breast cancer detection, emphasized Dr. Smith-Foley, the medical director of the Breast Center at the Central Arkansas Radiation Therapy Institute (CARTI) in Little Rock, Arkansas.

“When women skip their mammogram intentionally or unintentionally, … we tend to find more advanced disease. The breast cancer is larger, it is more extensive, it is more often a higher grade and more frequently involves the axilla with local regional metastasis. What I see in clinical practice is that when we have these gaps or delays (with mammography screening), the disease is more extensive,” explained Dr. Smith-Foley.

Biennial Mammography Over Annual Mammography? USPSTF Issues Updated Breast Cancer Screening Recommendations

Mammography Study Shows Link Between Enlarged Axillary Lymph Nodes and Higher Risks for Diabetes and Cardiovascular Disease

Breast MRI and Dense Breasts: A Closer Look at Early Findings from a New Prospective Trial

Dr. Smith-Foley also disagrees with the USPSTF’s assertion of insufficient evidence to continue annual mammography screening in women 75 and older.

“I have a whole collection of patients under my care in their 80s and 90s who presented to me with locally advanced breast cancer that would have been detected at an earlier stage if they had been participating in yearly screens,” maintained Dr. Smith-Foley.

For more insights from Dr. Smith-Foley, watch the video below.

Stacy Smith-Foley, MD discusses shortcomings with the recently updated USPSTF breast cancer screening recommendations.

Where the USPSTF Breast Cancer Screening Recommendations Fall Short: An Interview with Stacy Smith-Foley, MD

In a recent interview, Stacy Smith-Foley, M.D., shared her perspective on the shortcomings of the recently issued breast cancer screening recommendations from the United States Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF).

Examining the impact of training sessions for magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) technologists at the University Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center in Ohio, researchers saw significant improvements in image acquisition and processing for breast MRI exams, according to new study findings presented at the Society for Breast Imaging (SBI) 2024 Breast Imaging Symposium in Montreal.

In a recent interview, Shahrzad Tavana, M.D., pointed out a 25 percent improvement in the compliance rate for correct breast positioning within the coil (from 52 percent pre-training to 77 percent post-training) and a 29 percent improvement with ensuring an optimal field of view (from 62 percent pre-training to 91 percent post-training.

“The ideal field of view for a breast MRI is from the clavicle to the inframammary fold with the axilla included bilaterally,” noted Dr. Tavana, a chief resident in diagnostic radiology at the University Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center in Ohio. “Sometimes we noticed that some of the breast MRs being done included the spine in the field of view. Sometimes, the axilla wasn’t adequately covered. All of these affect the resolution.”

Study Shows BPE Quantification on MRI Helps Predict Risk of Breast Cancer Recurrence

MRI Surveillance Associated with 80 Percent Reduction in Breast Cancer Mortality for Women with BRCA1

Five Takeaways from New Breast MRI Literature Review

Dr. Tavana and her colleagues also a 39 percent improvement in accuracy with the submission of MRI sequences to PACS (from 47 percent pre-training to 86 percent post-training). The training also led to reduced false positive scans, decreased recall rates and improved efficiency in the reading room, according to Dr. Tavana.

“Our project underscored the importance of a collaborative effort between the radiologists and the MRI technologists,” emphasized Dr. Tavana. “It resulted in improved quality of the breast MRs that we perform here.”

For more insights from Dr. Tavana, watch the video below.

Shahrzad Tavana, M.D., discusses the impact of training session for MRI technologists in improving MRI acquisition and processing.

Improving the Quality of Breast MRI Acquisition and Processing

Discussing findings from a new study presented at the Society for Breast Imaging (SBI) conference, Shahrzad Tavana, M.D., detailed the significant impact of training sessions for MRI technologists in improving breast positioning, optimal field of view and accuracy of sequence submissions to PACS for breast MRI exams.



Long Covid may affect up to 41 percent of non-hospitalized adults who have had COVID-19, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

However, diffusion microstructural imaging, a novel magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) technique, may provide improved insight into associations between microstructural changes in the brain and common Long Covid effects such as neurocognitive deficits, fatigue, and olfactory dysfunction, according to new research presented at the recent 

Radiological Society of North America (RSNA) conference

In a recent interview, Alexander Rau, M.D., one of the lead authors of the study, discussed key findings from the prospective research that compared 89 patients with long Covid, 38 patients who had a COVID-19 infection but didn’t have long Covid, and 46 patients with no history of COVID-19.

By utilizing diffusion microstructural imaging, Dr. Rau and his colleagues discovered patterns of microstructural gray matter alterations that differed between those with long Covid and those who didn’t have long Covid after having a COVID-19 infection, particularly in basal brain structures.

“There is an impact of COVID-19 on the brain’s microstructure that we could measure with advanced diffusion imaging that was undetectable on conventional (MRI) imaging,” noted Dr. Rau, a resident in the Departments of Neuroradiology and Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology at University Hospital Freiburg in Freiburg, Germany. “Those alterations were associated with post-COVID condition associated symptoms such as fatigue, impaired olfaction, and cognitive decline. Thus, there is evidence that those alterations contribute to the pathophysiology of the post-COVID condition.”

MRI Study: People with Past Hospitalization for COVID-19 Have Nearly Triple the Risk of Multiorgan Abnormalities

New Meta-Analysis Details Most Common Brain MRI Findings with COVID-19

Seven Takeaways from New Consensus Recommendations for Cardiac MRI Assessment of COVID-19

For more insights from Dr. Rau, watch the video below.

Alexander Rau, M.D., discusses how diffusion microstructural imaging can differentiate gray matter shifts associated with long COVID symptomatology.

Can Diffusion Microstructural Imaging Provide Insights into Long Covid Beyond Conventional MRI?

In a recent interview, Alexander Rau, M.D., discussed emerging research, presented at the recent RSNA conference, that shows the capability of diffusion microstructural imaging to differentiate subtle shifts in microstructural gray matter associated with common symptomatology of long Covid.

Can Diffusion Microstructural Imaging Provide Insights Into Long Covid Beyond Conventional MRI?

A higher amount of visceral abdominal fat in one’s midlife years may be an early warning sign for the development of Alzheimer’s disease, according to magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and positron emission tomography (PET) findings recently presented at the Radiological Society of North America (RSNA) conference.

In a cohort of 54 cognitively healthy people with an average body mass index (BMI) of 32, researchers found that a higher amyloid PET tracer uptake in the precuneus cortex, a brain region known to show early pathological sings of Alzheimer’s disease, was associated with a higher ratio of visceral abdominal fat to subcutaneous fat.

“Showing this association in midlife in individuals with obesity highlights that we are observing early amyloid pathology in the Alzheimer’s (disease) signature areas 20 years before the onset of Alzheimer’s disease,” noted Mahsa Dolatshahi, M.D., M.P.H., the lead author of the study and a postdoctoral research scholar affiliated with the Mallinckrodt Institute of Radiology at Washington University, in a recent video interview.

Emerging Neuroradiology Concepts: Could Tau-PET be a New Standard in Assessing Possible Alzheimer’s Disease?

FDA Clears AI-Powered MRI Software for Brain Atrophy

Brain PET Study Suggests Link Between Early Amyloid Accumulation and Repetitive Subconcussive Trauma

Cyrus A. Raji, M.D., Ph.D, said the long relied upon body mass index (BMI) is an “imperfect measure” for characterizing body fat. In taking a closer look at the anatomically specific distribution of visceral fat and subcutaneous fat and its relationship to the risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease, Dr. Raji noted the preliminary research findings have many potential implications for early intervention.

“By characterizing the actual distribution of fat and the biophysical profiles, we can really start building an idea of who needs a more aggressive form of lifestyle intervention or related drug therapies,” explained Dr. Raji, an associate professor of radiology and neurology at the Mallinckrodt Institute of Radiology at Washington University. 

“This will not only decrease the risk for Alzheimer’s disease for people at midlife, but it will also improve the potential for people to be more successful on any Alzheimer’s drug they may have to take later in life since individuals who take those drugs are less likely to benefit from those drugs if their underlying brain health is already impaired.”

For additional insights from Drs. Dolatshahi and Raji, watch the video below.

Researchers discuss new MRI and PET study findings that show a link between higher visceral abdominal fat and early development of Alzheimer's disease.

Emerging MRI and PET Research Reveals Link Between Visceral Abdominal Fat and Early Signs of Alzheimer’s Disease

In a recent interview, Mahsa Dolatshahi, M.D., M.P.H., and Cyrus A. Raji, M.D., Ph.D., discussed MRI and PET study findings, presented at the Radiological Society of North America (RSNA) conference, that showed an association between higher amyloid PET tracer uptake in the precuneus cortex and a higher visceral to subcutaneous fat ratio.

Emerging MRI and PET Research Reveals Link Between Visceral Abdominal Fat and Early Signs of Alzheimer's Disease

The recent Radiology Partners (RP) publication 

Neuroradiology and Stroke Clinical Pathway 

offers a practical best practice guidance for radiologists and technologists on the use and reporting of neuroimaging, including head and neck computed tomography angiography (CTA), cerebral perfusion CT and brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), for stroke patients.

In a recent interview, Vivek Bansal, M.D., makes it clear that the publication is geared toward achieving a consistent baseline standard for providing a high level of stroke imaging and care regardless of the size or resources of the given facility.

“We’re not rewriting the guidelines but (trying to) take some of these other hospitals or smaller practices, (facilities) with limited resources, or maybe don’t have neuroradiology specialty coverage, and bring everybody up to some baseline level to where we can say we’re giving optimal stroke care no matter where you go at any RP facility,” noted Dr. Bansal, a Houston-based neuroradiologist who serves as the national subspeciality lead for neuroradiology for Radiology Partners.

Emphasizing the constantly evolving nature and urgency of stroke care, Dr. Bansal said radiologists need to be active members of the stroke care team.

“In particular with stroke, we can’t be radiologists locked in our little reading rooms separate from everybody else and just putting out reports,” maintained Dr. Bansal. “We have to be part of the team … We have pushed to get really granular data and really help find the trouble points and fix them. That’s the key. When you do that, you get a lot of trust from your hospital system, and you can actually make processes better, and do better for the patients.”

(Editor’s note: To download the Neuroradiology and Stroke Clinical Pathway guidance, 

For more insights from Dr. Bansal, watch the video below.

In a recent video interview, Vivek Bansal, M.D., discussed a recent Radiology Partners publication that offers practical tips and best practice guidance on CT and MRI neuroimaging for stroke patients.

Practical Insights on CT and MRI Neuroimaging and Reporting for Stroke Patients

When evaluating an artificial intelligence (AI) model for initial assessment of left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) on echocardiograms, David Ouyang, M.D., said he was genuinely surprised that cardiologists had greater confidence in initial AI assessments than those provided by cardiac sonographers with an average of 14.1 years of experience.

In the randomized trial, recently published in 

, cardiologists revised 27.2 percent of initial LVEF assessments by sonographers in comparison to 16.8 percent of AI assessments.

“We initially thought of the tool as kind of a streamlining tool where it speeds things up. We actually designed the trial as a non-inferior trial. We weren’t expecting AI to be better than sonographers. Hopefully, it would be equivalent,” noted Dr. Ouyang, who is affiliated with the Department of Cardiology at the Smidt Heart Institute and the Division of Artificial Intelligence in Medicine at the Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles. “We were pleasantly surprised that AI actually was superior. This really speaks to the high level of precision that automation delivers.”

Study Finds AI More Effective Than Sonographer Interpretation of Cardiac Function on Echocardiograms

Can AI Improve Triage of CT Pulmonary Angiography Exams for Acute PE?

AI Platform for Ultrasound Detection of Cardiac Amyloidosis Gets FDA Breakthrough Device Designation

In a recent video interview, David Ouyang, M.D., shared insights from two recent studies he co-authored on the use of artificial intelligence (AI) to improve initial assessment of left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) on echocardiography and ascertain cardiac risks associated with changes in the left ventricle sphericity index seen on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).

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