SINGAPORE -- About 70% of the world’s population has zero access to MRI and it will take a “no surrender” approach to improve this disparity, according to Andew Webb, PhD, a professor of radiology at Leiden University in the Netherlands. Webb is a leading figure in efforts to improve access to MRI in low- and middle income countries (LMICs) and delivered the notable Lauterbur Lecture May 5 on the topic at the International Society for Magnetic Resonance in Medicine meeting. In an interview with AuntMinnie.com, Webb described what he meant by “no surrender” (the title of his talk) – essentially ..read more

SINGAPORE - MR spectroscopic imaging (MRSI) shows the effects of antiretroviral therapy (ART) on the brains of HIV-positive individuals, according to research presented at the International Society of Magnetic Resonance in Medicine (ISMRM) meeting. A team led by Teddy Salan, PhD, of the University of Miami in Florida found that a "whole-brain MRSI approach … showed that metabolite changes in untreated people with HIV may not directly normalize after starting ART" -- which suggests a "need for continued monitoring of their brain health of people with HIV even after starting ART," the group wrot ..read more

Cornelia Laule, PhD SINGAPORE – Quantitative MRI techniques offer valuable insights into diverse pathological processes underlying multiple sclerosis (MS), with these techniques poised for clinical use, according to a leading expert. In a May 4 presentation at the International Society for Magnetic Resonance in Medicine annual meeting in Singapore, Cornelia Laule, PhD, of the University of British Columbia in Vancouver, gave an overview of quantitative MRI findings in MS and discussed how they are enabling a more complete understanding of the disease. “Clinical MRI scans are very sensitive to ..read more

SINGAPORE – MRI plays a pivotal role in trauma cases by detecting lesions in the acute, subacute, and chronic phases of brain injuries, yet screening patients for implanted devices remains a primary safety concern, according to a leading expert. In a presentation May 6 at the International Society for Magnetic Resonance in Medicine meeting, Sumeet Kumar, MD, a senior consultant neuroradiologist at Singapore’s National Neuroscience Institute, discussed indications for MRI in head trauma cases, noting that MRI can detect small contusions often missed on first-line CT scans. “In the acute phase ..read more

SINGAPORE – A machine-learning model using radiomics features from MRIs could help clinicians predict whether patients with knee osteoarthritis may need total knee replacement (TKR) surgery. In a study discussed May 5 at the annual meeting of the International Society for Magnetic Resonance in Medicine (ISMRM), a model distinguished knee osteoarthritis patients in potential need of TKR with an accuracy of up to 87.2%. “These advancements have the potential to help the precision of decision-making in TKR surgery,” noted presenter Eros Montin, PhD, of New York University in New York City. Knee o ..read more

SINGAPORE - Using machine learning with MRI radiomics features accurately assesses brain aging, according to research presented May 6 at the International Society of Magnetic Resonance in Medicine (ISMRM) meeting. Presenter Eros Montin, MD, of New York University Grossman School of Medicine in New York City  reported that a machine learning model using radiomics features from T1- and T2-weighted MR images estimated adult subjects' age with a mean absolute error value of 4.7 years. The study results could translate to improved clinician understanding of brain changes caused by bo ..read more

SINGAPORE – A higher body mass index (BMI) translates to poorer brain health in the form of premature aging, according to research presented May 7 at the International Society of Magnetic Resonance in Medicine (ISMRM) meeting. Presenter Han Lv, PhD, of Beijing Friendship Hospital in China and colleagues found high BMI to be causally associated with smaller brain volume and abnormal microstructural integrity in projection fibers, especially in adults under the age of 45. The causal relationship between BMI -- a modifiable factor associated with poor cardiovascular health -- and brain health is ..read more

SINGAPORE - A deep-learning AI model that can “translate” cine MRI into images resembling those in late gadolinium enhancement (LGE) could reduce the use of contrast agents in patients, according to a presentation at the International Society of Magnetic Resonance in Medicine (ISMRM) 2024 annual meeting Pengfang Qian, PhD, of ShanghaiTech University in China noted that their new algorithm technique could have applications in patients with acute myocardial infarction. “This study presents an effective, non-invasive, and contrast-free method for predicting LGE in acute [myocardial infarction], p ..read more

Cornelia Laule, PhD SINGAPORE – Quantitative MRI techniques offer valuable insights into diverse pathological processes underlying multiple sclerosis (MS), with these techniques poised for clinical use, according to a leading expert. In a May 4 presentation at the International Society for Magnetic Resonance in Medicine annual meeting in Singapore, Cornelia Laule, PhD, of the University of British Columbia in Vancouver, gave an overview of quantitative MRI findings in MS and discussed how they are enabling a more complete understanding of the disease. “Clinical MRI scans are very sensitive to ..read more

SINGAPORE - Radiology AI technology is here -- and more is coming. But its continued integration into the healthcare continuum will not be without its challenges, according to Charlene Liew, MD, director of cardiothoracic imaging at Changi General Hospital in Singapore. Liew gave a talk on the state of AI in radiology on May 4 at the International Society for Magnetic Resonance in Medicine (ISMRM) 2024 meeting. In an ensuing interview with AuntMinnie.com, she described what she calls the "four horsemen of the radiology apocalypse" -- that is, key obstacles to integrating AI into the radiology ..read more