This is despite experts cautioning that these findings should be "systematically and fully assessed" due to their progressive nature.

“When we rely too much on whatever the computer tells us, that’s a problem."

By expediting communication between radiologists and referring providers when suspicious findings are identified, the system has great potential to improve clinical outcomes in real-world scenarios, authors of a new study in JACR suggest.

It is estimated that up to one-third of the U.S. population does not have a primary care provider.

This is especially true for lumbar MRIs, as these exams often show abnormalities without correlating symptoms, making it difficult to distinguish between incidental findings and the actual source of patients’ issues.

The increased follow-up of recommended imaging exams combined with the efficiency of its use also generated an additional $9,000 in revenue per month at one organization.

Such technology can be leveraged to improve risk assessments without accruing additional expenses for patients or clinicians, potentially filling in gaps where DXA exams fall short.

Many of these files are still readily available online, and numerous contain PHI that is “easily accessible,” a new analysis reveals.