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Brain imaging, ChatGPT,
and medicolegal topped 2023’s most read list
While ChatGPT landed two spots in the top 10 most popular articles in 2023, what grabbed the attention of the radiology community the most varied along five other theme lines. Most read? Two stories about brain imaging: One regarding the effects of cannabis use and the other suggesting possible mechanisms behind long COVID.
After brain imaging, medicolegal issues and money ranked highest. UnitedHealthcare, the largest health insurer in the U.S., filed papers to recoup millions from Radiology Partners, a large radiology practice in the U.S. known for putting on business weight by acquiring smaller practices. Nearing arbitration as of August, the case brings up a major contract dispute over unauthorized providers added in network.
In other money and business matters, AuntMinnie.com’s annual SalaryScan showed there is both job security and higher wages for those entering the radiology field at a time otherwise shadowed by inflationary pressure, workforce shortages, and turmoil abroad. We’ve since learned that looking ahead into 2024, 72% of CT sites anticipate
that their 2024 CT procedures will increase compared to 2023.
The topic of fraud is a perennial favorite, and our coverage of a case against a radiologist in Pennsylvania known for practicing controversial procedures on Medicare beneficiaries -- and making bank doing it -took the fifth most popular article spot.
Cancer screenings -- first, a key breast cancer update in May, then rethinking cancer screening priorities overall in August -rounded out the top 10, along with the 2023 Minnies award nominees.
We make it easy for you to read our hottest stories of the year either over a cup of cocoa by the fireside or poolside. Read more in the snapshots below.
ISMRM: MRI detects brain changes in past cannabis users
If you’ve been following cannabis use and cannabis use disorder, you might not be surprised to learn that our most read story was about the heavy use of cannabis and its effect on the brain as detected by MRI. New Zealand researchers reported that heavy cannabis use is associated with structural brain changes
such as volumetric differences in subregions of the hippocampus and amygdala.
Researchers offer hypothesis for long COVID brain fog
Research tying brain inflammation believed to be triggered by COVID-19 infections to astrocyte function and glutamate homeostasis was the second most read article. In this study, French researchers suggested additional PET imaging with the use of translocator protein radiotracer for observing visual brain patterns and indexing the reactivity of astrocytes, starlike cells that play a key role in central nervous system functions. The research will continue.
UnitedHealthcare sues Radiology Partners over billing dispute
While litigation over pass-through billing in UnitedHealthcare (United) versus Radiology Partners moved closer to arbitration as of August, details from the April court filing are worth noting. The complaint centered on a small practice that Radiology Partners acquired in 2014 -- one with a United network contract affording reimbursement rates nearly 600% more than Medicare. Alleging 10 counts overall, United hopes to recoup millions in overpayments. Radiology Partners said the claims were without merit.
Radiologists, RTs brought home higher earnings
In September, our SalaryScan survey revealed the average base salary of radiologists increased nearly $1.8% in 2022. CT specialists reported the highest average base salary. Nuclear medicine/PET specialists were paid the least by comparison. A regional analysis of salaries showed U.S. West North Central earned about 23% more than other regions. U.S. Mountain rounded out the bottom. Further, high demand for radiologic technologists drove increases in RT salaries. Revisit the details here. Look for new data in 2024.
Radiologist faces $6.1M suit over false claims
Interventional radiologist Dr. James McGuckin of Radnor, PA, made headlines again when he became the target of a new false claims complaint. McGuckin allegedly billed Medicare and the Federal Employees Health Benefits Program for medically unnecessary invasive peripheral artery procedures for a three-year period, to the tune of over 500 claims, and was reimbursed at least $6.5 million.
ACR releases updated breast cancer screening recommendation
Announced in early May, an updated breast cancer screening recommendation targeting specific subgroups of women aimed to spur earlier doctor-patient conversations about breast cancer risk, genetics-based risks, and the need for supplemental screening, such as contrastenhanced mammography. The American College of Radiology (ACR)’s statement underscored the need for early risk assessment by age 25, especially among Black and Ashkenazi Jewish women.
ChatGPT passes radiology exam
Also in May, we shared findings from a University of Toronto study that demonstrated “impressive improvement” in ChatGPT in radiology since its public release. At the time, ChatGPT-4 scored 81% on a radiology board-type exam that matched the style, content, and difficulty of Canadian Royal College and American Board of Radiology exams. ChatGPT-3.5 scored 69%. The study established one set of benchmarks; however, our next top 10 story suggests a potentially suitable path forward for ChatGPT.
Does ChatGPT have a role in clinical radiology?
George Washington University researchers are not alone in saying that it is important to carefully assess the challenges and ethical considerations before implementing an AI system such as ChatGPT in clinical radiology. They said that ChatGPT might be useful for patients leading up to their radiologic-guided procedures.
Breast imaging experts criticize controversial cancer screening study
Claims that cancer screenings don’t necessarily extend people’s lives drew ire from cancer screening advocates. Researchers at University of Oslo in Norway calculated the association
between several types of cancer screening tests and life days gained. Colorectal cancer screening with sigmoidoscopy showed gains, but other screening test outcomes were unlikely or uncertain, researchers said. The researchers didn’t advocate abandoning cancer screenings, but they suggested “it might be wise to reconsider priorities...”
Meet the Minnies 2023 finalists
For those not familiar with the Minnies, awards categories spotlight a Who’s Who in radiology, as well as influential programs, events, issues, clinical procedures, new vendors, software, and more. To learn more about the full list of 2023 nominees, click here.
Advertising Directory
ADVANCED VISUALIZATION
• MEDICIAL IP: 10
ARTIFICAL INTELLIGENCE
• MEDICIAL IP: 10
• Mach7 Technologies: 14
• RealTime Medical: 30
• Viz.ai: 27
APPLICATIONS
• RealTime Medical: 30
BONE DENSITOMETRY
• MEDICIAL IP: 10
CLINICAL DECISION SUPPORT
• Viz.ai: 27
CT
• BRACCO: 27
• MEDICIAL IP: 10
• Fresenius Kabi USA, LL
Generic Contrast Agents: 15
• Fresenius Kabi USA, LL
Generic Contrast Agents
Iodixanol Injection, USP: 16
• Shared Imaging: 2
COMPUTER-AIDED DETECTION AND READING
• Viz.ai: 27
CONTRAST MEDIA
• BRACCO: 27
ENTERPRISE IMAGING
• BRACCO: 27
• Mach7 Technologies: 14
• RealTime Medical: 30
• Viz.ai: 27
GENERAL RADIOLOGY
• Fresenius Kabi USA, LL
Generic Contrast Agents: 15
• Fresenius Kabi USA, LL
Generic Contrast Agents
Iodixanol Injection, USP: 16
• Fresenius Kabi USA, LLC
Generic Contrast Agents
Gadoterate Meglumine Injection, USP: 18
• Fresenius Kabi USA, LLC
Sincalide for Injection: 20
• Fresenius Kabi USA, LLC
Generic Contrast Agents
Gadobutrol Injection: 22
• Shared Imaging: 2
IMAGING SERVICES
• Barco: 5
• BRACCO: 27
• Esaote: 5
• MEDICIAL IP: 10
• Shared Imaging: 2
INTERVENTIONAL RADIOLOGY
• Esaote: 5
• Fresenius Kabi USA, LL
Generic Contrast Agents
Iodixanol Injection, USP: 16
• Fresenius Kabi USA, LLC
Generic Contrast Agents
Gadoterate Meglumine Injection, USP: 18
• Fresenius Kabi USA, LLC
Sincalide for Injection: 20
• Fresenius Kabi USA, LLC
Generic Contrast Agents
Gadobutrol Injection: 22
INFORMATION SERVICES
• Barco: 5
• Viz.ai: 27
MEDICAL DISPLAYS
• Barco: 5
MRI
• BRACCO: 27
• Esaote: 5
• Fresenius Kabi USA, LL
Generic Contrast Agents: 15
• Fresenius Kabi USA, LLC
Generic Contrast Agents
Gadoterate Meglumine Injection, USP: 18
• Fresenius Kabi USA, LLC
Generic Contrast Agents
Gadobutrol Injection: 22
• Shared Imaging: 2
NUCLEAR MEDICINE
• Fresenius Kabi USA, LLC
Sincalide for Injection: 20
• CDL Nuclear Technologie : 30
PET
• Shared Imaging: 2
• CDL Nuclear Technologie : 30
PACS/TELERADIOLOGY
• Mach7 Technologies: 14
• RealTime Medical: 30
TELERADIOLOGY
• Barco: 5
XRAY
• Fresenius Kabi USA, LL
Generic Contrast Agents: 15
• Fresenius Kabi USA, LL
Generic Contrast Agents Iodixanol Injection, USP: 16
2024 Minnies Winners
Most Effective Radiologic Sciences Educator Congratulations
Most Influential Radiology Researcher
Erik H. Middlebrooks, MD Mayo Clinic - Florida
Most Effective Radiology Educator
Elliot K. Fishman, MD Johns Hopkins Medicine
Kori Stewart, PhD Quinnipiac University
Most Effective Radiology Administrator/Manager
Dmitry Beyder, CNMT Barnes-Jewish Hospital / Washington University
Best Radiologist Training Program
Emory University Hospital Atlanta, Georgia
Congratulations to all the winners!
Best Radiologic Sciences Program
Thomas Jefferson University Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Most Significant News Event in Radiology
Researchers explore radiology applications for large language models
Biggest Threat to Radiology
Radiology workforce shortages
Hottest Clinical Procedure
Theranostics
Scientific Paper of the Year
Radiologist Workforce Attrition from 2019 to 2024: A National Medicare Analysis. Rosenkrantz, et al, Radiology, July 23, 2024.
2024 Minnies Winners
Best New Radiology Device
Aquilion One/Insight Edition CT scanner, Canon Medical Systems
Best New Radiology Software
PowerScribe Smart Impression, Microsoft
Best New Radiology Vendor
Radpair
Image of the Year
Diffusion tensor imaging (3T, 32 encoding directions, b=800 s/mm, 2mm isotropic resolution) reveals that high levels of soccer heading over two years is associated with changes in brain microstructure similar to findings seen in mild traumatic brain injury. Image from Michael Lipton, MD, PhD, of Columbia University, et al.
Best Educational Mobile App
MRI Made Easy
MICI Q4: Radiology administrators positive about imaging growth
Radiology administrators are confident that diagnostic and interventional radiology will continue to grow as a profit center through the remainder of this year and beyond, according to the MarkeTech Group’s Medical Imaging Confidence Index (MICI) report for the fourth quarter of 2023.
They’re also confident that diagnostic and interventional radiology volumes will grow monthly. However, they’re less sure that internal operating expenses and staff costs will remain constant and that their departments will receive adequate Medicare reimbursement for exams -- results comparable to the MarkeTech Group’s first-semester and Q3 results.
The MarkeTech Group generates the MICI
report from survey responses by radiology administrators and business managers who are members of its imagePRO panel. The document is made up of responses to questions about five trends radiology administrators face in the coming year.
This fourth-quarter report included feedback from 130 imaging directors and managers across the following U.S. geographic areas: 16% in the West North Central region; 8% in the East North Central region; 15% in the Mid-Atlantic region; 15% in the South Atlantic region; 13% in the East South Central region; 15% in the West South Central region; 11% in the Pacific region; and 7% in the Mountain region.
In terms of hospital/facility size, 42% of
survey respondents reported 100 beds or less, 40% reported 100 to 349 beds, and 18% reported 350 beds or more.
Respondents ranked their confidence on five topics, and the MarkeTech Group calculated a single composite score. Scores ranged from 0 to 200 and can be interpreted in this way:
MICI Q4 confidence scores by topic
Will grow monthly in diagnostic and interventional radiology
Will have access to capital for imaging equipment and IT needs
Internal operating and staff costs will remain constant
Will have adequate reimbursement from Medicare for diagnostic and interventional imaging
Composite score across all areas
• < 50 = extremely low confidence
• 70 to 89 = low confidence
• 111 to 130 = high confidence
• 150 = extremely high confidence
• 50 to 69 = very low confidence
• 90 to 110 = an ambivalent score (neutral)
• 131 to 150 = very high confidence
All regions except West South Central reported high confidence in growth in diagnostic/ interventional radiology, the group found. The responses also showed that all regions except the mid-Atlantic, South Atlantic, East South Central, and Mountain have low or very low confidence in receiving adequate Medicare reimbursement.
Will grow monthly in diagnostic and interventional radiology
Internal operating and staff costs will remain constant
Will maintain/grow as a profit center
Receive adequate reimbursement from Medicare for diagnostic and interventional imaging
Will have access to capital for imaging equipment and IT needs
Composite score across all areas
The survey included a free-response section under which participants commented on the five topics. Considering study volume increases, respondents said that [it’s] “the busiest year yet for imaging and interventional radiology, and that there’s “no limit to the growth thus far”; another respondent said that “as patients get older, more imaging studies are being required … thus causing an upswing in the number of exams being performed.”
Respondents expressed concern about Medicare reimbursement, writing that “with inflation, possible recession, and patients not having adequate insurance, [it will be hard to determine financial success],” and that “Medicare and insurance reimbursements are not covering costs.”
Finally, regarding operating and staff costs, survey participants noted that “volume growth will be dependent on staffing. Without adequate staffing, outpatient appointments will be reduced,” and “staffing costs force reassessment of long-term goals.”
PRESENTED BY IMV
2024 ServiceTrak Winners
Best Customer Satisfaction: Hologic
Best System Performance: Hologic
Best Service: Hologic Mammography
Best Customer Satisfaction: Siemens Healthineers
Best System Performance: Tie between Canon and Carestream
Best Service: Canon X-Ray
