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MRI Recon Gets Real, RT Burnout, and Cancer Rates
April 24, 2025
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Together with
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“Lower-cost scanners are crucial for expanding access, but they’ve traditionally struggled with image quality. We see AI as critical to making up the difference.”
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Alfredo Lucas, PhD, and T. Campbell Arnold, PhD, co-authors of a study using AI to reconstruct ultralow-field MRI scans.
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AI-based data reconstruction for MRI scans took a step forward this week with studies showing how to generate 3T-like images from ultralow-field scanners, and improve scanner efficiency by cutting energy consumption.
MRI is radiology’s premier modality, but MRI scanners are cumbersome to install and expensive to operate.
- Ultralow-field scanners could help but some believe they lack the image quality for some clinical applications.
Enter AI-based image reconstruction. Deep learning protocols are being developed for a wide range of imaging modalities, from PET to CT to MRI.
- These algorithms take images acquired with lower-quality input data – be it less CT radiation dose or lower MRI field strength – and upscale them to resemble full-fidelity images.
This trend is illustrated by research published this week in Radiology in which researchers tested a generative adversarial network algorithm called LowGAN for reconstructing data acquired on Hyperfine’s Swoop 0.064T portable ultralow-field MRI scanner.
- Their goal was to enable Swoop to generate images resembling those acquired on a 3T system.
After training LowGAN on paired 3T and 0.064T images, they tested the algorithm in 50 patients with multiple sclerosis and further validated it with a separate 13-patient cohort. They then judged LowGAN against several measures of MR image quality, finding that it …
- Showed the biggest improvement on synthetic FLAIR and T1 images.
- Improved conspicuity of white matter lesions, without introducing false lesions.
- Increased consistency of cortical and subcortical volume measurements with 3T images.
- But was unable to reveal brain lesions that were missed in the original low-field scans.
AI-based data reconstruction also has environmental implications. Medical imaging is a major contributor to greenhouse gas emissions, and anyone who’s managed an MRI operation knows how much energy these massive scanners consume.
- A second paper published this week in Radiology described how MRI acceleration – scans acquired at a faster speed and then reconstructed for better image quality – reduced energy use, lowering carbon emissions while boosting imaging capacity.
Researchers tried three techniques for speeding MRI acquisition – parallel acceleration, simultaneous multi-slice, and a deep learning algorithm.
- All three reduced energy consumption 21% to 65% and increased daily capacity by one to seven scanning slots, with deep learning showing the biggest effect.
The Takeaway
The new papers demonstrate an exciting future in which less powerful data acquisition technologies can be upscaled with AI to produce images that more closely resemble state-of-the-art scanning. The benefits will be enjoyed by both patients and the planet.
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AI-Powered Early Breast Cancer Detection
DeepHealth parent RadNet is expanding its presence in mammography AI with its pending acquisition of iCAD. Find out how the transaction will accelerate AI-powered early detection and diagnosis of breast cancer on this page.
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Say Goodbye to On-Premises Costs
Free up resources with cloud-based solutions from Optum for medical imaging. Visit this page to see how you can say goodbye to on-premises costs!
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Imaging Workflows that Actually Work
Not a fan of medical image exchange on discs? Then check out Clearpath and find out how it’s removing obstacles to better radiology workflow. Request a demo today.
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- RT Burnout Dips: Burnout reported by VA radiologic technologists dipped in 2023 after peaking in 2022, two years after the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. In a new study in JAMA Network Open, researchers reported on burnout levels from 2018-2023 for over 123k healthcare workers at 140 VA medical centers. RTs reported a burnout level of 30% in 2023, down from a peak of 35% in 2022 and at the same level as in 2018. COVID-related stress for RTs fell to 22% from 34% in 2020.
- CT Lung Screening for Non-Smokers: CT lung cancer screening is usually targeted at people with smoking histories. But lung cancer rates are rising among non-smokers, especially in Asia. In a research letter in JAMA, investigators in China reported cancer detection rates for 11.7k people in a general screening program where only 16% were high-risk. The cancer detection rate was 2% for high-risk people and 1.7% for non-high-risk individuals, with more early-stage cancers found among non-high-risk people (92% vs. 61%).
- Gleamer Gets BoneMetrics Clearance: Gleamer received FDA 510(k) clearance for a new feature for its BoneMetrics AI software that supports Cobb angle measurement. These measurements are key in diagnosing spinal deformities like scoliosis, and the new feature enables clinicians to acquire the measures automatically from frontal spine radiographs of patients at least four years old. Gleamer has been building out its portfolio of AI applications this year with the acquisitions of Pixyl and Caerus Medical and clearance for ChestView.
- AI Boosts Calcium Scoring: HeartLung Technologies’ AI-CVD algorithm was used to analyze coronary artery calcium scoring from CT scans and calculate liver steatosis as an opportunistic measure for cardiovascular disease. In a study of 5.7k individuals drawn from the MESA study, AI-CVD was used to create liver attenuation index scores from CAC scans, and people with the highest LAI scores had higher CVD incidence over 15 years than the lowest (19% vs. 12%), as well as 43% higher risk of CVD, 77% higher stroke risk, and 36% higher all-cause mortality.
- CAC Scores Predict Lung Surgery Survival: Coronary artery calcium scores were also useful for predicting which elderly patients undergoing lung cancer surgery were more likely to survive long-term. In a study in Academic Radiology of 896 patients older than 70, those with CAC scores >40 were 58% more likely to have worse survival than those below that threshold at five years. Other measures like severity of coronary artery stenosis and CCTA-FFR showed no statistically significant effect. Higher CAC scores could reflect smoking’s damage outside the lungs.
- Is Sarcopenia Overlooked? Rates of sarcopenia – characterized by low muscle mass and strength – are rising, but researchers believe it’s underdiagnosed. In a new study in JACR, researchers from the Harvey L. Neiman Health Policy Institute analyzed 2.8M Medicare beneficiaries, finding a 480% increase in the sarcopenia diagnosis rate from 2017 to 2022 (0.01% to 0.07%) while osteoporosis diagnoses only rose 18% (7.4% to 8.7%). CT could be used opportunistically to detect sarcopenia, especially with AI support.
- Lunit Lands SimonMed for DBT AI: Outpatient imaging services provider SimonMed selected Lunit’s Insight DBT AI algorithm to analyze its 3D mammography studies, as well as Volpara Analytics software from Lunit subsidiary Volpara for breast screening operations. SimonMed operates over 170 imaging centers, giving Lunit a big boost in its campaign to roll out Insight DBT in the U.S. following its receipt of FDA clearance in November 2023.
- Densitas Adds Mammo Quality Coaching: Densitas added mammography quality coaching guidance from Tungsten QI Partners to its intelliMammo quality assurance platform. intelliMammo gives breast practices real-time information on mammography QA such as image positioning, while TQI provides professional training and guidance in areas from breast screening to managing incidental findings. The combination of the two will enable breast imaging facilities to combine intelliMammo’s data insights on mammography positioning with expert-guided interventions from TQI.
- Texas RadPartners Practice Added to Cigna: A Texas imaging group affiliated with Radiology Partners signed a multi-year agreement with Cigna to give the payor’s members in-network access across the state. Cigna members will be able to use Singleton Associates’ imaging services without going through the burdensome No Surprises Act billing dispute resolution process. Singleton was involved in a long-running billing dispute with another large payor, UnitedHealthcare, that came to an end last year.
- ASRT Taps Advocacy Winners: The ASRT this week named the winners of its 2025 Award for Advocacy, which are given to an individual and an affiliated group for their efforts in advancing the growth and development of the radiologic technology profession. Winning the individual award was Diane Kosenko of Bristol, Connecticut, while the affiliate award went to the Minnesota Society of Radiologic Technologists.
- Cancer Incidence Continues Decline: The long drop in cancer death rates continued in the most recent NCI annual report, mostly thanks to smoking declines, but obesity-related cancers are growing. The overall cancer death rate from 2018 to 2022 fell -1.7% per year for men and -1.3% for women, while cancer incidence from 2003 to 2023 fell -1.6 to -2.2% per year for men but rose 0.3% annually for women. Cancer incidence bounced back from 2020 when the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted screening.
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Presenting Unboxing AI
Check out CARPL’s video series, Unboxing AI, featuring experts discussing AI and its future in radiology. The next episode on April 24 features Allen Hundley of Riverain Technologies – reserve your seat today.
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A New Benchmark for Tomo Imaging
There’s a new benchmark for digital breast tomosynthesis 3D images with MAMMOMAT B.brilliant from Siemens Healthineers. The system’s 50° wide-angle tomosynthesis helps you achieve excellent outcomes for your patients, radiologists, and breast care professionals.
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Patient Attitudes Towards AI-Echo
The medical imaging field is rapidly accepting AI, but how are patients feeling about the shift? Get the scoop on patients’ positive opinions toward Us2.ai’s software that supports task-shifting from conventional echo to AI-echo.
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- AI Enables Automated Cobb Angle Measurements: Gleamer’s BoneMetrics AI solution accurately predicted the Cobb angle of scoliosis patients with high accuracy compared to manual measurements made by clinicians. Learn more in this paper.
- Start at the Source to Improve MRI: Looking for ways to improve MRI speed and image quality while addressing broader concerns in healthcare? The answer may lie in proven MRI physics in your existing scanner – learn how to unlock it with STAGE from SpinTech MRI.
- Integrating AI into Clinical Practice: AI has the potential to revolutionize healthcare, but it requires a collaborative effort between clinicians and AI experts. In this micro-learning course from Calantic by Bayer, learn about the latest developments in healthcare AI.
- Visit Philips at ISMRM 2025: Philips will be showcasing its AI-driven connected imaging, optimized workflows, and integrated clinical solutions for MRI at ISMRM 2025. See their conference highlights or drop by at booth #D41.
- Connect with Intelerad at SIIM 2025: Join Intelerad at booth #533 at SIIM 2025 to learn how they are redefining healthcare imaging with innovative solutions designed to provide a clear path to answers. Schedule your visit today.
- Unlock Next-Generation AI with Foundation Models: Learn about Microsoft’s new family of cutting-edge multimodal medical imaging foundation models designed for healthcare organizations to test, fine-tune, and build tailored AI solutions specific to their needs, while minimizing extensive compute and data requirements.
- Get to Know United Imaging at ISMRM 2025: United Imaging is reaching new clinical heights in MRI with new innovations like 5T MRI and its uAiFI technology. Visit the company at ISMRM 2025 at booth #A18 or attend one of its conference events.
- Top 3 Productivity Tools for Radiologists: Radiologists today face growing demands for speed, collaboration, and accuracy. Attend this May 8 webinar to learn from clinical and IT leaders from the University of Michigan Health – Sparrow and AGFA HealthCare as they share the top tools helping radiologists work smarter.
- Visit Kailo Medical at SIIM 2025: Learn about the latest synoptic reporting solutions by visiting Kailo Medical at booth #539 at SIIM 2025. Book an appointment today to find out how their technology can make radiology reporting easier while maximizing efficiency.
- The Future of Radiology: In this episode of The Radiology Report, Medality’s Daniel Arnold sits down with Marc Gosselin, MD, from Vision Radiology for a thought-provoking conversation on burnout, balance, and the future of radiology.
- Enhancing Patient Experience and Streamlining Operations: Jefferson County Health Center transformed their image exchange by eliminating the need for CDs, saving over 1,000 staff hours annually. This shift improved radiology patient satisfaction scores by 7.6%. Learn how JCHC enhanced patient care and operational efficiency with PocketHealth.
- Visit Enlitic at SIIM 2025: Visit Enlitic at SIIM 2025 at booth #530 to learn about their solutions for data standardization and migration, including their new partnership with GE HealthCare powering the data migration feature in GE’s new Genesis cloud portfolio. Book a demo today.
- AI Tools for Lung Cancer Screening: CT lung cancer screening is gaining momentum around the world. Learn about AI-based nodule detection tools that can improve the accuracy of low-dose CT scans in this video from Riverain Technologies.
- Ahead in the Cloud: What do healthcare providers need to consider as they adopt cloud-based solutions for medical imaging? Read this article written for Mach7 Technologies by Eliot Siegel, MD, to learn the important role cloud-based technologies are having in shaping the future of healthcare.
- The Benefits of Operational AI: Explore the transformative potential of operational AI in healthcare in this on-demand webinar hosted by Blackford. Learn from the company’s partners how AI can help your practice operate more efficiently.
- Book a Visage Demo at SIIM 2025: Visage is trailblazing medical imaging’s SaaS move to the cloud with an open cloud philosophy based on industry standards and multi-cloud support. Learn more by registering for a priority demo at SIIM 2025 or visit them at booths #627-631.
- Unprecedented Insights Made Possible with AI: With the largest normative dataset of whole-body imaging in the world, Prenuvo’s AI researchers partner with the best academic minds to understand – like never before – what “normal” aging means. Learn about their work today.
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