Radiologist performance has improved since the introduction of DBT for breast cancer screening

Comparison of a 2D digital mammogram and breast tomosynthesis 3D mammography showing ability to better evaluate details in areas of dense breast tissue, rather than seeing areas of dense breast tissue overlapping, which can mimic or hide a cancer. Photo from UCSF.

Comparison of a 2D digital mammogram and breast tomosynthesis 3D mammography showing ability to better evaluate details in areas of dense breast tissue, rather than seeing areas of dense breast tissue overlapping, which can mimic or hide a cancer. Photo from UCSF.

Since being approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration in 2011, DBT has become the most common method for breast cancer screening, and as of September 2022, 84% of all U.S. mammography screening facilities housed DBT units. 

Experts developed a deep learning model that can estimate breast density

Example of the four types of breast tissue density. The density of fibroglandular tissue inside the breast impacts the ability to easily see cancers. Cancers are very easy to spot in fatty breasts, but are almost impossible to find in extremely dense breasts. These examples show craniocaudal mammogram findings characterized as almost entirely fatty (far left), scattered areas of fibroglandular density (second from left), heterogeneously dense (second from right), and extremely dense (far right). RSNA

Example of the four types of breast tissue density. The density of fibroglandular tissue inside the breast impacts the ability to easily see cancers. On X-ray mammography, cancer and dense breast tissue both appear as white and can hide smaller cancers on 2D mammography. Dense breasts are also a risk factor for cancer. Cancers are very easy to spot in fatty breasts, but are almost impossible to find in extremely dense breasts. These examples show craniocaudal mammogram findings characterized as almost entirely fatty (far left), scattered areas of fibroglandular density (second from left), heterogeneously dense (second from right), and extremely dense (far right). Read more. Image courtesy of RSNA

When tested, the model achieved a performance comparable to that of human experts.

Pulsed radiofrequency procedure could help patients avoid surgery for sciatica

pulsed radiofrequency for sciatica

CT-guided pulsed radiofrequency (PRF) with transforaminal epidural steroid injection. A 62-year-old woman underwent PRF followed by transforaminal epidural steroid injection for sciatica due to left contained intraforaminal disk herniation at the L4-5 level. Image courtesy of RSNA.

In PRF procedures, a probe is used to intermittently apply energy directly to the dorsal root ganglia, which is often where pain and neurologic symptoms associated with sciatica originate.  

New imaging technique could change how Crohn's disease is treated

PET/MRI of FAPI radiotracer uptake in Crohn's disease

Images in a 44-year-old man with Crohn's disease with a predominately fibrotic stricture. Coronal fused T1-weighted volumetric interpolated breath-hold examination postcontrast PET/MR image. A stricture (arrow) within the neoterminal ileum shows marked gallium 68 fibroblast activation protein inhibitor uptake.

Courtesy of RSNA.

The FAPI radiotracer experts used in this research can bind specifically to the connective tissue cells that cause intestinal wall fibrosis common to Crohn's disease.