Sunday, November 27, 2016

5 Innovations in radiology that could impact everything from the Zika virus to dermatology

The Radiological Society of North America’s conference in Chicago has been showcasing cutting-edge technology in radiology.

1.     The use of a virtual reality headset to see a fetus in lieu of using a traditional ultrasound.  Thee 3D image is created from both MRI and ultrasound technology and employs Oculus Rift 2 to create a clearer picture. This technology is still experimental but has been used on 30 pregnancies in Brazil.
2.     3D printing is helping researchers better understand how Zika affects a baby’s brain. This type of imaging really does help researchers understand and develop and improve treatments. In particular, this has helped researchers figure out that Zika can cause brain damage in babies with and without signs of microcephaly.
3.     Machine learning helps dermatologists screen for cancer by putting together better images and analyzing the data in a smarter way.
4.     Machine learning can also help doctors read X-Rays, aiming to shorten the time between reading an X-ray and giving treatment.
5.     Developing more sustainable diagnostic radiology technologies can prevent the depletion of limited natural resources. Many countries in Europe and the UK are helping to provide imaging services that are more efficient and effective.
All these new developments are very exciting for radiology and virology; for doctors and patients alike.


Emily Nguyen

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