One reason that I find medical imaging perpetually interesting is that it always seems to be on the cutting edge of health care. When I was putting this issue together, I wasn’t necessarily thinking about the forward-looking nature of the articles, but each of them, in their own way, highlights changes on the horizon. Some of those changes are already in progress, while some will take time to become fully formed, but they all point to newer and better ways of practicing radiology.
Our cover feature is about the potential uses of large language models (LLMs) such as ChatGPT-4 in radiology. Beth Orenstein examines a case study at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia. Because of its video and image analysis capabilities, experts believe ChatGPT may be able to assist radiologists with decision-making, image interpretations, and generating reports, possibly easing workflow constraints and reducing burnout. It may also prove useful in helping less experienced practitioners with triage. More research is needed before LLMs are widely adopted, but there is significant interest in putting them to work.
In MRI news, Rebecca Montz reports on progress in brain imaging for patients with depression. Depression can be difficult to treat, and not all patients respond to the same treatments. Researchers at Stanford Medicine are working on an approach that they hope will lead to personalized treatments for depression. With collaborators from several prestigious universities, the Stanford group has demonstrated promising results. The research uses new fMRI brain scanning protocols to stratify patients by biotype, which allows clinicians to tailor treatments more precisely. Keith Loria has a round-up of the latest advanced visualization technologies for CT. From 3D reconstructions to augmented reality to innovative software packages, manufacturers are finding new and interesting ways to get more from CT imaging so radiologists and other physicians can make better clinical decisions. For all of the details, turn to page 18.
Finally, Lauren Swisher looks at the movement within radiology toward sustainable practices. Many people may not realize that, worldwide, health care’s carbon emissions exceed those of many advanced economies. Aside from the benefits to the planet, recent studies make an economic case for reducing energy consumption in radiology and IR departments. Altering practice patterns to reduce the amount of waste associated with single-use products can pay financial dividends, as well. Experts believe that these financial incentives will help drive changes in practice.
As for my immediate future, I’ll be at RSNA in a couple of weeks, surveying the new technology, enjoying Chicago, and eating multiple slices of deep-dish pizza. If you happen to be at the conference, please stop and say hi at booth #1736 in the South Hall.
Enjoy the issue.
— Dave Yeager
david.yeager@gvpub.com