Whats New in Radiology?

Highlights of the
RSNA 2012 Annual Meeting
By Cynthia Hayward
Originally printed in the
SpaceMed Newsletter
Fall 2012
www.spacemed.com

BACKGROUND
The Radiological Society of North America (RSNA) annual meeting is the premier
scientific and educational meeting that brings together radiology professionals from
around the world.
TWO GENERAL TRENDS
The conference has evolved in recent years from a focus on imaging devices to
imaging information technology. At this years meeting (November 2012), two general trends were reported remote viewing systems for radiology images and
technology streamlined to aid workflow efficiency.
Remote viewing systems allow radiologists to call up images on a Web browser
and easily forward images from a picture archiving communication system (PACS)
to a referring physician. Currently, images are generally not accessible unless a
physician has access to the hospital or imaging centers PACS. If not, a CD is
burned and sent by courier or mail. The receiving physician may not be able to
open the CD and it may take a long time to download the data. If images are not
accessible or CDs do not open, repeat imaging exams are often per-formed which
increases the cost and exposes the patient to additional radiation. Most of the newer systems are Internet or cloud-based so they can be easily accessed outside the
hospitals computer system. Some vendors are also promoting systems for patients
to easily access their images and reports often with slick iPad/iPhone apps.
Improving workload efficiency was another trend as imaging departments are
asked to do more with less as reimbursements for imaging decrease. Vendors are
offering imaging systems with increased automation and ergonomic designs to help
speed up exam times and workflow. Examples include new advanced visualization
tools and PACS improvements to reduce the amount of time for a radiologist to perform and report on an imaging test.
SPECIFIC TECHNOLOGY TRENDS
Other advances in technology and specific trends include:

2012.5.3

640-slice computed tomography (CT) scanner which is the highest-slice system

on the market and can also accommodate bariatric patients and patients with
high heart rates.

Noiseless magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scanners which address one of

the most significant impediments to patient comfort.

Wireless transducers that eliminate the need for cables in ultrasound imaging.

Peri-operative MRI for intra-operative neurosurgery which uses a shielded

room with doors opening into two ORs on either side; a track system allows an
MRI-safe surgical table to be moved so the patient can be imaged and then
taken back to the OR.

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Whats New in
Radiology? Highlights
From the RSNA 2012
Annual Meeting
Continued

Organic light-emitting diode (OLED) displays with even smaller components,

quicker response time than LCD, and the ability to display quick motion with virtually no blur.

NEW FOCUS ON COST-EFFECTIVENESS

An interesting change over previous years is that vendors are de-emphasizing their
high-end, most expensive systems in favor of those that reflect the current economic reality. For example, some vendors showed how lower-volume hospitals can use
one wireless digital radiology (DR) detector for multiple machines so they do not
need to purchase several at a cost of $100,000 each.
Based on Trends and Insights from RSNA 2012 by Dave Fornell in
Imaging Technology News, December 7, 2012.
Cynthia Hayward, AIA, is founder and principal of Hayward & Associates LLC.

2012.5.3

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