Goel N et al, writing in JAMA Network Open in a study on social needs and breast screening.

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Breast Imaging

When Access to Screening Isn’t Enough

A new study published this week in JAMA Network Open indicates that – even when women have access to breast screening – other factors can limit mammography’s life-saving impact. Researchers found that women with more unmet social needs had lower breast screening rates and higher rates of advanced disease – even if they had access to a mammography center. 

Research into social determinants of health – the racial, demographic, and environmental factors that can affect the quality of a person’s health – have gained steam in the last several years.

• Numerous studies have found that racial and economic differences result in major disparities in healthcare outcomes – and some of the biggest variations occur in screening. 

In the new study, researchers noted that unmet social needs can include housing instability, social isolation, food insecurity, and transportation challenges, and these needs can occur even in high-income areas with access to screening mammography. 

• They studied the issue in Miami-Dade County, Florida, where all women 200% below the poverty line have access to no-cost screening mammography at safety net hospitals – in theory removing cost as a barrier to breast screening.

Researchers studied 336 women who filled out a survey on social needs; of these, 62% self-identified as Hispanic, 19% as Black, and 19% as White, and 76% had screening mammograms. Researchers found a lower odds ratio for getting a mammogram due to …

• An increasing number of unmet social needs (OR=0.74)
• Increasing age at diagnosis (OR=0.92)

Patients were also more likely to present with late-stage disease if they …

• Had two or more unmet social needs (33% vs. 18%)
• Had problems with their home utilities (17% vs. 5%) or childcare access (12% vs. 3%)
• Were presenting to a safety net hospital (31% vs. 18%)

The authors noted that although no single unmet social need was found to have a statistically significant impact on screening mammography rates, multiple needs piling up could “overwhelm” patients so they can’t find the time to schedule preventive health check-ups. 

The Takeaway

The new findings offer a more complex view of breast screening disparities beyond just access to mammograms. Public health authorities and hospitals providing women’s health services may need to offer screening of at-risk patients and a broader range of services in order to make sure that the life-saving benefits of mammography are enjoyed on a wider – and more equitable – scale.

Best in KLAS for Cardiovascular Imaging

The Merge Cardio and Merge Hemo solutions from Merge by Merative have been named Best in KLAS 2024 for Cardiology and Hemodynamics. Learn more about the solutions that have dominated both KLAS categories since 2007.

Monetizing Medical Imaging with a Real-World Database

Data-driven decision-making is more important than ever. In this article from Enlitic, learn how you can leverage your medical imaging data by creating a real-world database.

The Wire

• CAC Predicts Aging’s Toll: The presence of coronary artery calcium on cardiac CT scans can be used as a broad-based marker for healthy aging that goes beyond just heart health. In a paper in Atherosclerosis, researchers describe how they studied 2.3k people 75 and over, finding that those with CAC scores ≥1000 had higher rates of pathology compared to those whose CAC=0, such as dementia (8% vs. 2%), hearing impairment (67% vs. 46%), and composite abnormal aging score (3.7 vs. 2.6). 

• Echo AI Speeds Exam Time: Researchers using Us2.ai’s automated echo AI software achieved a 70% reduction in measurement and report creation times in a new study published in Journal of Echocardiography. In 23 patients, Japanese researchers saw a reduction in measurement times compared to manual methods (159 vs. 325 seconds) as well as faster report creation times (71 vs. 429 seconds). The research team said the echo AI software enhanced clinical workflow by providing “rapid, zero-click” reports without compromising accuracy. 

• PocketHealth Signs Ottawa Hospital: PocketHealth has signed an agreement to supply its medical image and report sharing solution to The Ottawa Hospital in Canada. Patients at the hospital can now access their images and reports online without the need to use CD-ROMs. The deal includes PocketHealth’s MyCare Navigator feature, which the company launched last fall to give patients tailored healthcare information to improve their healthcare experience. 

• Are MRI Incidental Findings Worrisome? A new study in JAMA Network Open indicates that radiologists may not have to worry about most incidental findings on brain MRI. Researchers followed over 4k people ages 6-85 receiving brain MRI scans for research studies; rates of incidental findings were higher for adults compared to children (55% vs. 9.6%), but few findings required clinical referral (1.6% of pediatric and 7.1% of adult). However, T2 hyperintensity and age-related cortical atrophy were associated with higher BMI and blood pressure.

• Radiologists Sing with Aria AI: In another brain MRI study in JAMA Network Open this week, icometrix’s icobrain aria AI-based software for detecting amyloid-related imaging abnormalities on brain MRI scans helped radiologists detect ARIAs, which occur in patients receiving beta amyloid-directed antibody therapy and can lead to downstream problems. In 199 patients, radiologists using icobrain aria saw AUCs increase for detecting both ARIA-E (0.87 vs. 0.82) and ARIA-H (0.83 vs. 0.78); sensitivity also improved, but not specificity. 

• SimonMed Doubles Down on Whole-Body Screening: Imaging services provider SimonMed Imaging said it plans to double the number of SimonONE whole-body MRI screening facilities it is operating in the US. First launched in mid-2023, the expansion will bring SimonONE into major markets including San Francisco and Houston; the company is highlighting its exclusive use of 3T MRI scanners for screenings. The move comes as other screening firms are also expanding, with Ezra raising $21M and Prenuvo pushing its star-studded celebrity marketing campaign. 

• deepc acquires Osimis Platform: German AI operating system developer deepc has acquired Osimis Platform, a Belgian developer of AI platform technology. The deal unites two platform AI firms and gives deepc access to Osimis’ expertise in medical imaging software development while strengthening its foothold in key European markets. deepc has been busy of late adding partners to its platform, including Qure.ai, Nurea, and Huiying Medical Technology. 

• Contrast Mammography for Breast Cancer: European researchers found that contrast-enhanced mammography excelled compared to conventional mammography for assessing invasive lobular carcinoma of the breast. Writing in a review of 115 cases in Clinical Radiology, researchers found that CEM was more sensitive for multifocal disease (70% vs. 20%), and had better correlation with surgical excision specimen size (r=0.626 vs. 0.295), but it tended to overestimate tumor size by 5 mm versus breast MRI. The findings indicate CEM could be an alternative to breast MRI. 

• Qure AI Goes Live at UK Hospital: A UK hospital has gone live with Qure.ai’s qXR AI software for analyzing chest X-rays for lung abnormalities. University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust has integrated qXR with its RIS network from Magnentus to review 100-150 X-rays per day as part of the LungIMPACT study, which is focusing on whether AI of chest X-rays can triage patients for referral to CT and further work-up if necessary. 

• Quibim Launches AI Platform for R&D: AI for drug development has become a hot market segment, and Quibim is getting a piece of the action with the launch of QP-Insights, a new platform for leveraging AI to guide pharmaceutical R&D. QP-Insights manages, stories, and performs quantitative analysis of medical images and other clinical data used in research trials. The new platform complements clinical algorithms that Quibim has launched for quantitative analysis of brain MRI scans and prostate MRI analysis. 

• Blackford Adds Avicenna to Platform: Blackford has added the CINA-iPE AI algorithm from French medical imaging AI developer Avicenna.AI to its Blackford Platform. CINA-iPE detects incidental pulmonary embolism during routine CT scans, giving clinicians a powerful tool for identifying blood clots in the lungs. The companies note that only 25% of incidental emboli are reported during the initial interpretation, and CINA-iPE can help avoid missed and delayed findings. Avicenna joins other recent Blackford Platform additions including Bot Image, See-Mode, and Rayscape.

• Butterfly’s iQ3 Takes Wing: Butterfly Network has begun commercial sales of iQ3, the company’s third-generation POCUS scanner. First announced in January, iQ3 is built on the company’s P4.3 ultrasound-on-a-chip technology, with better data transfer and imaging frame rates, as well as new 3D imaging capabilities like iQ Slice and iQ Fan. Butterfly is touting iQ3 as a “paradigm shift” in POCUS that will attract new users while serving as a platform for AI and advanced imaging tools.

• CCTA AI Impact: Results from the CERTAIN multicenter trial highlighted Cleerly’s ability to impact care. The researchers performed Cleerly AI analysis on 750 US-based patients’ CCTA exams, and had physicians interpret the exams with and without Cleerly AI. Compared to conventional CCTA assessments, Cleerly’s AI insights led to a change in diagnosis or management in the majority of patients (57.1%), impacting CAD-RADS scores and plaque burden (39.3% & 37.1%), reducing downstream testing (-37.1%), and driving statin initiation/increases (28.1%).

• PACS Pioneer Debuts New Firm: Veteran PACS executive Murray Reicher, MD, has launched a company called Synthesis Health that’s offering a cloud-native PACS – also called Synthesis – with an AI-based reporting module. Synthesis comes in a modular design; users can pick only the modules they need, either as an integrated system or as an overlay to their existing PACS. Reicher was founder and CEO of DR Systems and ran the business until 2015, when he sold it to Merge Healthcare, which later that year was bought by IBM Watson Health.

The Benefits of Breast Imaging AI

Breast imaging AI can help providers reduce their workload and improve patient care. Blackford Analysis offers a wide selection of breast imaging AI apps on its Blackford Platform – find out how they could benefit your organization.

Patient-Centricity and Breaking Down Barriers to the Quadruple Aim

Watch this panel hosted by PocketHealth at RSNA featuring industry leaders discussing the advantages of a patient-centric approach to image exchange and its positive impact on quadruple aim goals, including population health, patient experience, avoiding revenue loss, and increasing staff wellness.

Leading the Way in Rural MR Imaging

Rural patients can experience transportation barriers for their medical needs, including medical imaging. In this February 21 webinar from Siemens Healthineers, find out how Weiser Memorial Hospital, a critical access hospital in rural Idaho, solved this challenge.

The Resource Wire

• Visit TeraRecon at ECR 2024: Discover how TeraRecon’s solutions can deliver clinical decision support across your enterprise and explore the latest updates to their industry-leading advanced visualization software at ECR 2024. Schedule a meeting today. 

• Solutions to Solve Radiology’s Workflow Challenges: Radiology faces numerous challenges to more efficient workflow, from the siloed nature of healthcare enterprises to mundane tasks that are ripe for automation. In this Imaging Wire Show, we talked to Matthew Lungren, MD, and Calum Cunningham of Nuance Communications.

• Go Virtual with Ease: Visage Imaging’s new Visage Ease VP solution makes it easy for you to take advantage of the unique clinical capabilities of the new Apple Vision Pro spatial computing environment. Learn how it can change your practice today. 

• Conversations with the Leaders Transforming Radiology: Join Medality founder and CEO Daniel Arnold for the Radiology Report Podcast, a podcast that addresses the opportunities and challenges facing the imaging profession head on to ultimately improve practice and patient outcomes everywhere.

• Meet Gleamer at ECR 2024: Learn all about Gleamer and its portfolio of AI solutions, including its BoneView algorithm for detecting fractures in adults and children, at the upcoming ECR 2024 conference. Schedule a meeting today. 

• Leveraging a Proven Echo AI Platform: Us2.ai has developed a promising new pathway for bringing custom echo AI applications into widespread clinical and commercial use – historically a challenge for algorithms produced by health systems and academic institutions. Find out how it worked in Uganda in this article.

• United Imaging’s RSNA 2023 Highlights: What were the highlights in United Imaging’s booth at RSNA 2023? Watch this video interview with CEO Jeffrey Bundy, PhD, at the conference to learn about the company’s 510(k)-pending 5T MRI scanner, mobile digital radiography system, and more. 

• The Difference Is in the Details: Riverain Technologies has developed the capability to create synthetic nodules automatically and place them in relevant anatomical contexts. Hear Chief Science Officer Jason Knapp explain the company’s unique position in this video. 

• The Case for Enterprise Cloud: Is your organization ready to move enterprise imaging to the cloud? Check out this Change Healthcare and ACHE webinar detailing cloud-native imaging’s benefits, best practices, and ROI.

• Best in KLAS PACS: Intelerad’s InSight PACS has been named Best in KLAS for UK and Ireland PACS by KLAS Research. Learn more about the solution that’s been adopted by over 250 healthcare providers across the UK and Ireland. 

• Clarity, Speed, and Confidence for MRI Efficiency: Radiologists have used a variety of methods to improve efficiency, but many of these methods come with drawbacks. Find out in this article how SpinTech MRI takes on the challenge of MRI efficiency with its STAGE software.

• Improving the Patient Experience: How is Clearpath improving the healthcare experience for patients? Learn more about the company and its solutions for ditching the disc when sharing images and records with patients. 

• Have You Met AIR Recon DL? GE HealthCare’s AIR Recon DL deep learning reconstruction algorithm is helping radiologists cut MRI scan times by up to 50% while achieving pin-sharp images. Hear how AIR Recon DL can help you in testimonials from real users. 

• How Thomas Jefferson Leveraged CARPL.ai: See how Thomas Jefferson University relied on CARPL.ai to accelerate its AI validation and clinical adoption in this presentation by informatics and AI leader Dr. Paras Lakhani.

• Monitoring, Benchmarking, Data Privacy, and Ethics in AI: Join Bayer’s Calantic Digital Solutions for a February 28 presentation at ECR 2024 exploring how ethics shape AI’s trajectory, societal impact, and deployment. See Calantic’s entire program and schedule your demo today.