Radiology in public focus

Exposure to Air Pollution May Cause Heart Damage 

Researchers using cardiac MRI have found that long-term exposure to air pollution is associated with early signs of heart damage, according to a study published in Radiology.  

Senior study author Kate Hanneman, MD, MPH, from the Department of Medical Imaging at the Temerty Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto and University Health Network in Toronto, and colleagues used cardiac MRI to quantify myocardial fibrosis and assess its association with long-term exposure to particles known as PM2.5  that are small enough to enter the bloodstream through the lungs. They found greater exposure was associated with more myocardial fibrosis. 

“Even modest increases in air pollution levels appear to have measurable effects on the heart,” Dr. Hanneman said. “Our study suggests that air quality may play a significant role in changes to heart structure, potentially setting the stage for future cardiovascular disease.”   

Read the related RSNA News story.  

International Radiology Consensus Outlines Best Practices for Post-COVID CT 

Experts representing multiple societies and institutions across 14 countries have published guidance for CT imaging in patients with residual lung abnormalities after COVID-19 illness. The consensus statement appears in Radiology. 

Statement co-author Anna Rita Larici, MD, associate professor of radiology at Catholic University of the Sacred Heart of Rome, and chief of the Chest Imaging Unit at Advanced Radiology Center of Agostino Gemelli University Polyclinic Foundation in Rome, and colleagues outlined conditions for appropriate chest CT use in patients with post-COVID-19 condition.  

They recommend terminology for reporting residual lung abnormalities and aim to standardize indications for imaging in this patient group.  

“These statements recommend employing terms from the Fleischner Society Glossary to describe CT findings consistently and precisely, avoiding the use of ‘interstitial lung abnormality (ILA),’ which refers to a different clinical context,” Dr. Larici said. “In addition, we have coined and recommended the term ‘post–COVID-19 residual lung abnormality’ to prevent any misleading term when describing CT lung abnormalities following COVID-19 pneumonia.”   

Read the related RSNA News story.  

AI Tool Accurately Detects Tumor Location on Breast MRI 

An AI model trained to detect abnormalities on breast MR images accurately depicted tumor locations and outperformed benchmark models when tested in three different groups, according to a study published in Radiology. 

Lead investigator Felipe Oviedo, PhD, a senior research analyst at Microsoft’s AI for Good Lab in Washington state, and colleagues trained the AI model using data from nearly 10,000 consecutive contrast-enhanced breast MRI exams performed at the University of Washington between 2005 and 2022.  

“Our model provides an understandable, pixel-level explanation of what’s abnormal in a breast,” Dr. Oviedo said. “These anomaly heatmaps could highlight areas of potential concern, allowing radiologists to focus on those exams that are more likely to be cancer.”   

Read the related RSNA News story.