Heather Jacene, MD, of SNMMI on a brain PET/CT image chosen as the group’s Image of the Year.

Echocardiography is a pillar of cardiac imaging, but it is operator-dependent and time-consuming to perform. In this Q&A interview, The Imaging Wire spoke with Seth Koeppel, Head of Business Development, and José Rivero, MD, of echo AI developer Us2.ai about how the company’s new V2 software moves the field toward fully automated echocardiography.

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Molecular Imaging

Headlines from SNMMI 2024

SNMMI 2024 wrapped up this week in Toronto, Canada, with the conference once again demonstrating the utility of nuclear medicine and molecular imaging for applications ranging from neurology to oncology to therapeutics. 

An annual SNMMI highlight is always the Image of the Year designation, and this year’s meeting didn’t disappoint. 

• The honor went to a set of ultra-high-resolution brain PET images acquired with United Imaging’s NeuroEXPLORER (NX) scanner, a PET/CT system that the company developed with Yale and UC Davis and introduced last year for research use (although a clinical introduction could be forthcoming). 

The NX system sports a cylindrical design with a 52.4cm diameter and long axial field-of-view of 49.5cm; in the talk presented at SNMMI, researchers compared it to high-resolution research tomograph images with tracers targeting different dopamine receptors and transporters.

• Researchers said the NX system had “exceptional” resolution in cortex and subcortical structures, with “low noise and exquisite resolution,” and predicted NX would “dramatically expand the scope of brain PET studies.”

Other important presentations at SNMMI included papers finding … 

• An AI algorithm developed at Johns Hopkins detected six different types of cancer and automatically quantified tumor burden on whole-body PET/CT scans
• In a study of 10.5k patients, AI that analyzed SPECT/CT images was able to predict all-cause mortality with an AUC of 0.77 by using CT attenuation correction scans to calculate risk factors like coronary artery calcium
• Cognitive training is less effective in older adults who have beta-amyloid deposits in the brain on PET scans
• An ultra-low-dose PET protocol presented by researchers from Bern University Hospital in Switzerland and Siemens Healthineers used deep learning reconstruction for a 50X reduction in PET radiation dose, to 0.15 mSv
• A gallium-68 FAPI-based PET radiotracer was more accurate than fluorine-18 FDG for systemic staging of newly diagnosed breast cancer
• A new chelating agent that binds radiometals to the parts of molecules that target cancer reduced off-target toxicity in PSMA radiopharmaceutical therapy
• A combination of alpha- and beta-radionuclide therapy that combined actinium-225 with lutetium-177 worked well for colorectal cancer in a preclinical study
• Research sponsored by Novartis on radioligand therapy for prostate cancer with lutetium-177 PSMA-617 (Pluvicto) was chosen as Abstract of the Year

The Takeaway

This year’s SNMMI presentations highlight the exciting advances taking place in nuclear medicine and molecular imaging, with the rise of theranostics giving the field an entirely new wrinkle that places it even closer to the center of precision medicine. Perhaps a new letter – T – will need to be added to the conference before too long.

AI for Incidental Osteoporosis Findings

Looking to learn more about how AI is used for incidental osteoporosis findings? Watch this on-demand webinar from Blackford in which clinical leaders discuss the benefits of preventive care and share their real-life experiences.

Automated MSK Measurements

BoneMetrics from Gleamer is an automated AI solution that can help diagnose scoliosis by automating Cobb angle calculations on images acquired with X-ray and EOS systems. Learn more about how it works today.

The Wire

• Advances in Fully Automated Echo: Echocardiography is a pillar of cardiac imaging, but it is operator-dependent and time-consuming to perform. In this Q&A interview, Us2.ai executives explain how new echo AI-based software can automate image acquisition and calculate dozens of measurements that previously had to be performed manually. Clinicians are finding that the newest version of the software can not only improve clinical care but also makes economic sense for hospitals by helping them achieve fully automated echocardiography.

• US Health Spending Accelerates: US healthcare spending accelerated in 2023, growing 7.5% for the year with total expenditures of $4.8T. The latest CMS figures were published in Health Affairs and show healthcare’s percentage of US GDP growing to 17.6%, from 17.3% in 2022. CMS projects spending from 2023-2032 to grow 5.6% annually, such that healthcare reaches 19.7% of GDP by 2032. On the positive side, the insured share of the population hit 93.1% in 2023 due to gains in Medicare and Medicaid enrollment. 

• Lung and Breast Screening Combo: Breast cancer screening has some of the highest adherence rates among cancer tests while lung screening has the lowest. What if you combined the two? In a small pilot study in Journal of Surgical Research, researchers describe how they offered CT lung exams to 54 eligible women getting mammography. Before the combo exams, 58% lacked knowledge about their eligibility for lung screening; afterward, 84% said they were likely to undergo dual screening again, and 93% found shared decision-making sessions helpful.

• Variation in CT Lung Screening Rates: A new study in JAMA Internal Medicine offers an updated look at CT lung cancer screening rates, finding that in 2022 18% of 26k eligible people in the US were up to date with screening recommendations, compared to 6.5% in 2020. But adherence varied greatly by region, with rates lowest in Southern and Midwestern states that did not expand Medicaid availability and/or had low screening capacity. The highest rate was in Rhode Island (31%); the lowest in Wyoming (9.8%). 

• Lung Screening Navigation: In another study in the same edition of JAMA Internal Medicine, researchers achieved a nearly 5X increase in lung screening compliance through an outreach program to homeless people, who suffer disproportionately from cancer mortality. Study authors tested an outreach intervention in a Boston program for the homeless that included a patient navigator who provided education and appointment facilitation. Those participating in the outreach program had much higher screening completion rates than those who didn’t (43% vs. 9.2%). 

• Riverain Gains Florida Site: Riverain Technologies has signed a deal to install its ClearRead CT software at Radiology Associates of Tallahassee in Florida. The practice is a member of the Strategic Radiology network and employs 20 board-certified radiologists; they will use ClearRead CT to detect suspicious nodules on CT lung scans. Riverain recently noted that it grew nearly 300% in 2023, with particular success at facilities run by the US DoD and the VA.

• Deep Learning for Amyloid PET: A homegrown deep learning algorithm worked well in detecting and quantifying amyloid buildup in people before cognitive impairment or Alzheimer’s disease occurred. In a study of 5.8k people in Radiology, researchers said their AmyloidPETNet algorithm achieved an AUC of 0.97 on scans with a fluorine-18 florbetapir PET tracer, an accuracy it maintained with other radiotracers and other datasets. By providing quantitative amyloid measurements, AmyloidPETNet could identify patients with mild cognitive impairment for treatment and monitor their progress.

• GE Taps Rott as Imaging Chief: GE HealthCare has tapped Roland Rott to lead its Imaging division, the company’s largest business unit. Rott replaces Jan Makela, who in April announced he would be leaving GE to become president and CEO of WS Audiology. Taking over for Rott as head of Ultrasound is Philip Rackliffe, current head of GE’s Image Guided Therapies business; IGT will be combined with Ultrasound (already a separate unit) to create an operation with over $5B in annual revenue. After the move, Imaging will remain an $8.9B business.

• 10 Years of Enterprise Imaging: With the SIIM 2024 meeting just a few weeks away, the Society for Imaging Informatics in Medicine is celebrating the 10th anniversary of its collaboration with HIMSS in the HIMSS-SIIM Enterprise Imaging Community (HSEIC). A new white paper describes the origins of the collaboration and its role in setting the standards and thought leadership that helped make medical images accessible across the healthcare enterprise. HSEIC now has 1.2k members and “enterprise imaging” has replaced “PACS” as the preferred term for digital image management. 

• AGFA Lands UK Enterprise Imaging Deal: AGFA HealthCare has landed a contract to provide its cloud-based Enterprise Imaging Platform to Alliance Medical in the UK as part of the provider’s Future Unified Diagnostic Information System (FUDIS) project. The project will cover all 120 of Alliance Medical’s sites – including imaging centers and mobile units – which combined deliver over 400k exams annually. Alliance Medical has provided diagnostic imaging services to the NHS for the past 30 years. 

• FDA Clears AI for Vertebral Fractures: The FDA has cleared AI software from Avicenna.ai for opportunistic detection of vertebral compression fractures. CINA-VCF analyzes images of patients undergoing chest or abdominal CT scans for other health conditions and notifies clinicians if a fracture is detected. The company recently received clearances for two other AI algorithms, CINA-iPE for incidental PE on routine chest CT scans and CINA-Aspects for calculating stroke severity.

• Radiologist Treats Shark Attack Victim: A Mississippi interventional radiologist took patient care to a new level last weekend by helping save the life of a teenage girl attacked by a shark on a Florida beach. Mohammad Ali, MD, of Baptist Medical Group was boogie boarding on the beach with another physician when they saw “a commotion and blood in the water” nearby. Ali applied a tourniquet to the teen while the other doctor and emergency personnel assisted; the teen was sent to a nearby hospital and is expected to recover. 

Enhancing CSF Leak Diagnosis with Photon-Counting CT

Register today to join a June 21 webinar hosted by Siemens Healthineers on enhancing CSF leak diagnosis with photon-counting CT. A panel of key opinion leaders will discuss the use of photon-counting CT in diagnosing CSF leaks, including case studies and practical applications.

Introducing Merge Consulting Services

How can your radiology practice manage change and expectations in healthcare with workforce flexibility? Merge by Merative is launching Merge Consulting Services to help you face the challenges of sourcing expertise and staff. Learn more about it today.

Transforming Healthcare with Advanced AI

Visit Enlitic at booth #524 at SIIM 2024 to discover how the company’s advanced AI solutions are helping healthcare institutions standardize their data. See you there!

The Resource Wire

• Which Imaging Vendors Are Ready for the Cloud? Which medical imaging vendors are perceived as ready for the cloud? In a new survey from KLAS Research, AGFA HealthCare’s approach to the cloud won high marks from customers. Learn more about the report today. 

• Transforming Cardiovascular Ultrasound Analysis: Learn how cardiovascular ultrasound is on the verge of transformation with the latest version of Us2.ai’s new echo AI analysis software, featuring 45 automated echo parameters for streaming clinical workflow.

• The Artistry of Radiology: How can an appreciation for fine art influence a radiologist’s image interpretation? Find out in this edition of The Radiology Report podcast, featuring Erin Cooke, MD, and Medality Co-Founder and CEO Daniel Arnold. 

• The Clinical Value of Soft-Tissue Chest X-Ray: Soft-tissue techniques can improve the visibility and accuracy of chest X-ray.  Learn about two important soft-tissue methods – bone suppression and dual-energy subtraction – in this white paper from Riverain Technologies.

• Experience the Platform for the Future: Register now for a priority demo at SIIM 2024 of Visage 7, Visage Imaging’s trailblazing platform for the future of enterprise imaging, based on industry standards and multi-cloud support. 

• Celebrating Happy Customers: There’s nothing better than happy customers. Find out what radiology personnel at Western New York MRI in Buffalo had to say about their new uMR 680 scanner from United Imaging.

• Presenting Unboxing AI: Check out CARPL’s brand-new video series, Unboxing AI, featuring experts discussing AI and its future in radiology. The next episode features radiologist Dr. Gilberto Szarf of HIAE in Brazil on June 14 – reserve your seat today. 

• Reimagine What’s Next with Intelerad: Every journey in healthcare is about seeking and providing answers. Intelerad is sharing a refined brand identity that encapsulates its commitment to simplifying the search for answers for both clinicians and patients. Learn more about what’s next today.

• MRI Access and the Cost of Inpatient Stays: Longer inpatient stays due to delayed MRI access are a long-standing and costly issue for hospital systems. Find out how STAGE from SpinTech MRI can reduce your MRI backlog and inpatient stays by shortening brain scan times by 30%.

• Delivering Quality Patient Care: MEDRAD Stellant FLEX helps you meet your financial, clinical, and organizational goals, and it’s the only CT injection system currently 510(k)-cleared for use with contrast-enhanced mammography. Learn more about the benefits from Bayer. 

• Solutions to Transform Medical Image Delivery: Medical providers and health systems are looking to ditch the disc and modernize their patients’ journey. Learn how Clearpath helps them reduce the cost of retrieving and fulfilling patient requests for imaging and medical records.

• White Paper on Structural Heart Imaging: How can AI help improve care for patients with structural heart issues? Learn more about new enhancements for procedures like TAVR and TMVR, as well as LAA closure, in this downloadable white paper from TeraRecon.

• A Holistic Strategy For Enterprise AI: Finding, vetting, and deploying the right radiology AI solutions can be challenging. In this SIIM 2024 session at 12:30 pm ET on June 27 presented by Microsoft + Nuance, learn how industry leaders are laying the foundation for AI while solving today’s real-world workflow challenges.

• Generative AI’s Transformative Impact on Radiology:  Register today for a SIIM #AskIndustry Panel Discussion at 11 am ET on June 28 to hear from Sham Sokka, CTO and COO of DeepHealth, alongside key industry leaders on how the next wave of AI innovation will revolutionize diagnostic accuracy, radiologist efficiency, and patient outcomes.

• Simplifying Image Exchange to Generate Savings: Guadalupe Regional Medical Center (GRMC) and Methodist Hospital implemented a PocketHealth Community Gateway that saved over 1,700 staff hours. Read how they streamlined image exchange, improved operational efficiencies, and ensured seamless continuity of care for patients at both sites.