Breast density may be one of the strongest predictors of the failure of mammography to detect cancer, according to an educational session presented at the 2014 Radiological Society of North America (RSNA) conference in December. The topic of breast density was a prominent one at the meeting, and many healthcare providers are beginning to look beyond just using traditional mammography to assess whether or not a woman has breast cancer. The push for additional screening is becoming prevalent, and many states are enacting laws that require women to be notified if they have dense breast tissue and what that means in terms of the ability to accurately find cancer.

Radiologists play a key role in the cancer care continuum after the initial diagnosis of prostate cancer. This includes regular imaging assessments to monitor growth, and tracking tumor changes to measure the effectiveness of various therapies. For the radiologist evaluating prostate cancer, it is key to first determine the severity of the disease, which determines whether the patient will be monitored over the course of several years, or if immediate treatment is required.

Multiple studies and products were presented at the 2014 Radiological Society of North America (RSNA) conference in December about emerging technologies in breast imaging, with a focus on how they will affect women who have dense breasts. Most researchers have been comparing the utility of mammography screening versus tomosynthesis.

As healthcare and radiology continue to evolve rapidly, flexibility in the operating room (OR) and imaging lab are key. Consequently, imaging systems need to be versatile as well as able to handle a variety of applications and adapt to any space. These needs have led to the increasing popularity of mobile C-arms, the latest generation of X-ray technology. Today, they are being adapted to handle fluoroscopy, vascular imaging, cardiology and 3-D imaging.

Frequent use of lead aprons in the interventional lab and radiology departments to protect against radiation exposure is associated with increased musculoskeletal pain, according to a study published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology.