1. Scientific, Education Programs
Propel RSNA 2010 to a New Level
Patient-tailored care, dose-reduction efforts, healthcare policy and emerging technology
are among the compelling issues slated to make headlines at RSNA 2010. Along with the
latest in education exhibits and scientific presentations, attendees can choose from a
diverse roster of refresher courses, self-assessment modules (SAMs), applied science,
integrated science and practice sessions, and workshops encompassing every specialty.
Evolving techniques “Reducing unneces- This year, RSNA received 11,470 abstract
and technology as well sary radiation is an submissions—814 more than last year. Over
as patient safety are important task for the the summer, the committees and subcom-
among the issues imaging community mittees selected 1,915 abstracts for
reflected in scientific and will be addressed education exhibits, 49 for quality story-
courses planned for in refresher courses, boards, 1,769 for formal scientific papers
RSNA 2010, according exhibits and a special and 679 for scientific posters.
to Robert Quencer, M.D., interest session
chair of the RSNA covering the official Breast Imaging
Quencer Baron
Scientific Program launch of the Image Continuing last year’s successful combined
Committee. “Among these are the evolution Wisely campaign, a joint effort to educate breast/nuclear medicine series, RSNA 2010
in state-of-the-art techniques in all imaging the community and provide resources for features a second vertical series high-
modalities, standardization of patient radiation dose optimization,” continued Dr. lighting emerging technologies including
imaging results, considerations in increasing Baron, chair of the RSNA Education non-contrast MR imaging, digital tomosyn-
quantitative data in reports, ongoing efforts Committee. thesis, ultrasound elastography and
in patient radiation dose reduction and quantitative breast MR imaging, said Robyn
development of individualized patient- Refresher courses offer an up-to-date
L. Birdwell, M.D., chair of the Scientific
centric imaging,” Dr. Quencer said. review of all aspects of diagnostic radiology,
Program Subcommittee. “We will also see
radiation oncology and medical physics,
more integrated science and practice (ISP)
RSNA 2010 features a record number of said Valerie P. Jackson, M.D., RSNA Refresher
sessions: a combined-modality mammog-
education exhibits, said RSNA Board Liaison Course Committee chair. “Many new
raphy, ultrasound and MR imaging CAD
for Education Richard L. Baron, M.D. “The offerings focus on practical clinical
session, an advanced digital application
meeting presents a wide range of educa- problems and quality issues,” Dr. Jackson
session and a diagnostic ultrasound session,”
tion materials in many different formats said. “There is also a wide variety of courses
Dr. Birdwell said. “Abstract submission
tailored to each individual’s optimal on informatics, healthcare policy and
numbers were high and varied, with an
learning style. radiation safety, and a continuation of the
increase in studies regarding diffusion-
popular ‘Hands On’ and ‘How To’ workshops.”
23 RSNA News | October 2010

2. weighted imaging, automated whole- Overall, this year’s scientific sessions optimizing CT protocols for trauma and
breast ultrasound and molecular emphasize functional over structural non-trauma patients and the growing use
composition breast mapping.” imaging and quantitative over subjective of CT-assisted autopsy are among the
interpretations, Dr. Gefter said. noteworthy topics to be covered, Dr. Soto
Notable education exhibits in breast said.
imaging range from multiple-modality “I am personally very excited about the
imaging to molecular imaging, said functional lung imaging session,” he added. A record number of engaging, high-quality
Education Subcommittee Chair Cherie M. “Until now, most pulmonary functional education exhibits cover a wide spectrum
Kuzmiak, D.O. “This year emphasizes imaging has been done with MR, but this of issues reflecting important trends in
advances in MR of the breast, including its year’s papers will demonstrate dual-energy emergency medicine, said Education
role in neoadjuvant chemotherapy and CT together with non-radioactive xenon gas Exhibits Subcommittee Chair Kathirkamana-
diffusion-weighted imaging. Other for functional ventilation imaging, with than Shanmuganathan, M.D.
noteworthy topics include cone-beam great promise for asthma and other airway
breast CT and breast-specific gamma disorders.” “Exhibits focus on important traumatic and
imaging.” non-traumatic entities head-to-toe,
Other notable topics in chest radiology covering the central nervous system, chest,
Cardiac Radiology include CT-guided ablation procedures— abdomen, pelvis and extremities,” Dr.
including radiofrequency, cryotherapy and Shanmuganathan said. “New trends include
Hot topics in cardiac radiology science
microwave—for treating inoperable demonstrating MR’s utility in evaluating
include dose- and noise-reduction
primary lung cancers and pulmonary acute abdominal pain and dual-energy CT
algorithms for cardiac CT angiography and
metastases, Dr. Gefter said. “In response to in the acute emergency setting.” Several
improved CT evaluation of plaque and
the recent H1N1 outbreak, the pulmonary exhibits illustrate current applications of
lesions, said Scientific Program Subcom-
infections session emphasizes diagnostic multidetector CT and ultrasound in
mittee Chair Andre J. Duerinckx, M.D., Ph.D.
and prognostic chest radiographic and CT diagnosing and triaging acute traumatic
“There is great interest in new CT tech-
findings in this pandemic.” and non-traumatic injuries, he said.
nology—256-slice, 128-slice dual-source
and, to a lesser extent, 320-slice CT,” Dr. Chest education exhibits also focus largely Gastrointestinal Radiology
Duerinckx said. He also noted important on CT applications for infection, especially
outcomes in studies involving smokers and Hepatic imaging is a hot topic for focal as
influenza A, and the “continued inroads” of
patients with diabetes. well as diffuse liver disease in this year’s
CT into angiography, said Education
scientific sessions, according to Benjamin M.
Exhibits Subcommittee Chair Sanjeev Bhalla,
“Attendees can expect to see high-level Yeh, M.D., Scientific Program Subcommittee
M.D. “Another hot area is the increasing
education exhibits on the gamut of Chair.
multimodality approach to thoracic
congenital and acquired heart disease, with
oncology, using CT to help predict who has “In particular, we’re seeing intense explora-
much of the focus on cardiac CT and MR,
responded and who will respond to tions of the value of cross-sectional imaging
including technical advances,” said Linda B.
treatment.” Attendees should pay close techniques with and without hepatobiliary
Haramati, M.D., Education Exhibits Subcom-
attention to the increasing role of dual- contrast material to improve the detection
mittee Chair. “Since cardiac imaging covers
energy CT and diffusion-weighted MR, Dr. and characterization of liver lesions and
such a broad range of topics, these exhibits
Bhalla added. evaluate hepatocellular carcinoma,” Dr. Yeh
are of great interest and practical utility for
pediatric, emergency, chest and cardiac said. “We’re also seeing promising develop-
Refresher courses covering new guidelines
radiologists.” ments in our noninvasive imaging options
for thoracic imaging based on proposals for
to detect, quantify and monitor diffuse liver
the Fleischner Society, Society of Thoracic
Chest Radiology disease.” He noted promising results for
Radiology and other organizations, are of
radiation dose strategies, including iterative
Driven by public concern regarding CT note, according to Dr. Jackson.
reconstruction and reduced kVP for
safety, this year’s program features a
abdominal organ imaging.
number of sessions focusing on dose- Emergency Radiology
reduction methods, according to Warren B. “Salient topics in emergency radiology this “Further developments in contrast-
Gefter, M.D., Scientific Program Subcom- year include methods to decrease CT enhanced ultrasound and MR provide
mittee chair. “One of the most promising radiation and optimization of imaging options for imaging workup and validate
dose-reduction methods is iterative utilization in the emergency department, quantitative methods that could be useful
reconstruction,” Dr. Gefter said. “Decreasing especially CT pulmonary angiography,” said in the near future for monitoring cancer
image noise allows significant dose Jorge A. Soto, M.D., Scientific Program therapy—in particular, perfusion imaging in
reduction without sacrificing image quality.” Subcommittee Chair. Incorporating imaging the liver and pancreas,” Dr. Yeh said.
studies from other institutions into PACS,
CONTINUED ON NEXT PAGE
October 2010 | RSNA News 24

3. CONTINUED FROM PREVIOUS PAGE
Education Exhibits Subcommittee Chair
William C. Small, M.D., Ph.D., said this year’s
gastrointestinal exhibits have a particularly
strong representation of MR techniques.
“They include the use of high-field magnets,
advanced imaging techniques including
diffusion-weighted applications and
investigation of varied contrast materials,”
he said. “Enteric imaging using both
multidetector-row (MD) CT and MR
techniques are popular topics as well.”
Presentations reflect a strong interest in
pancreaticobiliary problem solving and
multi-energy MDCT, Dr. Small said.
Genitourinary Radiology/
Uroradiology
MR imaging techniques are undergoing
further refinement with high interest in
prostate imaging, said Erick M. Remer, M.D., education exhibits as well, said Silvia D. Informatics
Scientific Program Subcommittee Chair, Chang, M.D., Education Exhibits Subcom- Interest in mobile computing and decision
adding that new developments will be mittee chair. support is on the upswing, said Keith J.
presented in the ISP session, “Prostate MRI: Dreyer, D.O., Ph.D., Scientific Program
Innovative refresher courses include,
Ready for Prime Time.” Subcommittee Chair. “The quality of
“Contrast Issues 2010: What the Experts
hypothesis-driven submissions has stayed
Series courses include “The Abdominal Really Do for Allergies, CIN, NSF, and
strong; however, there is an increasing
Incidentaloma,” with practical discussions Extravasation,” “Reporting and Management
trend—in quantity and quality—toward
on incidental discoveries in the kidneys, of Incidental Abdominal Masses” and a new
applied science,” Dr. Dreyer said.
adrenals, liver and pancreas, as well as case-based course on GU emergencies, Dr.
“Female Pelvis 2010,” exploring MR Jackson said. Provocative topics include a CT pulmonary
techniques in benign and malignant angiography ordering system, radiation
disease, imaging the pregnant patient and Health Services Education, Research, dose reporting systems, a resident learning
emergency imaging, continued Dr. Remer. Policy and Practice infrastructure, a Medical Imaging Resource
“There is continued interest in renal mass Presentations continue to focus on radiation Center (MIRC®) viewer application for
imaging and determining response to and safety in imaging, said Ruth C. Carlos, iPhone® and data mining of radiology and
antiangiogenic therapies for metastatic M.D., M.S., Scientific Program Subcommittee pathology reports, Dr. Dreyer said.
renal carcinoma, he noted. One ISP session Chair. “There is an increasing use of decision
addresses the important question, ‘The modeling as an adjunct or potential To learn more about Informatics offerings at
Renal Mass Diagnostic Imperative: What replacement to randomized controlled trials RSNA 2010, see Page 38.
Research Do We Need?’” and more robust methods of estimating
utilization,” she said. Scientific presentations Musculoskeletal Radiology
Attendees can expect to increase knowl- and ISPs focus on value-added imaging and “We received a large number of submis-
edge of dynamic contrast-enhanced MR evidence-based utilization, said Dr. Carlos, sions detailing new procedures including
imaging, diffusion-weighted imaging, who noted a continued rise in the quality of dry needling tendons and fascia, autolo-
elastography and functional renal imaging abstracts and international submissions. gous blood injections, treatment of
techniques such as blood oxygen level- meralgia paresthetica and ozone therapy for
dependent MR imaging, Dr. Remer said. One new session covers hot topics in treating chronic cutaneous ulcers,” said
residency training, including revising the Michelle S. Barr, M.D., Scientific Program
Trends in diffusion-weighted imaging, residency curriculum, the new American Subcommittee Chair. She added that
particularly of the prostate gland, contrast- Board of Radiology examinations, Residency advances in tumor imaging continue to be
enhanced ultrasound of renal lesions, Review Committee requirements and a focus, including promising new research
post-ablation appearances of renal tumors teaching systems-based practice, according using 3.0 T diffusion-tensor imaging to
and dual-energy CT for stone detection and to Dr. Jackson. study peripheral nerves adjacent to soft
characterization are reflected in this year’s
tissue tumors. “This new technique could
25 RSNA News | October 2010

4. REGISTER FOR SCIENTIFIC
AND EDUCATION COURSES
AT RSNA.ORG/REGISTER
impact confidence in limb salvage tumor multidetector CT for preoperative vascular diffusion-tensor imaging of Parkinsonian
surgeries,” she said. assessment of bone tumors, Dr. Abrahams syndrome using voxel-based morphometry,
said. “Participants will obtain a wide breadth Dr. Hackney said.
Cartilage studies remain popular, with of knowledge.”
presentations on cationic contrast agents in Nuclear Medicine
glycosamine quantification of articular Neuroradiology/Head and Neck This year, attendees have the opportunity to
cartilage and 7.0 T MR, Dr. Barr said. “A
This year’s session features extensive learn about the initial clinical experience of
particularly creative study describes the
offerings in neuroradiologic clinical using integrated PET/MR units, said Homer
effects of body position changes on
applications, according to Scientific Program A. Macapinlac, M.D., Scientific Program
cartilage deformation.”
Subcommittee Chair David B. Hackney, M.D. Subcommittee Chair. “We offer interesting
Dr. Barr noted another study evaluating whole-body oncologic imaging compari-
“There are strong trends in ear, nose and sons between PET/CT and MR,” he said.
cartilage abnormalities and their relation-
throat radiology moving into physiologic “Clinical imaging studies also highlight
ship to quadriceps muscle imbalances
imaging—diffusion, perfusion and, to a non-fluorodeoxyglucose radiopharmaceuti-
using a vastus lateralis/vastus medialis ratio,
lesser extent, nuclear medicine studies,” Dr. cals for molecular imaging in oncology,
calling the research “exciting for athletes
Hackney said. Advanced imaging tech- neurology and cardiology applications.”
and non-athletes.” A European paper
niques such as diffusion, voxel-based
quantifies changes in ultra-endurance
morphometry and volumetrics are This year’s nuclear medicine education
runners during the 4.5 km 2009 Trans
emerging for diagnosing and predicting exhibits offer increased quality and variety,
Europe Foot Race, Dr. Barr said.
outcome in patients with cognitive along with more acute focus on PET and
“We accepted abstracts on topics ranging disorders, he said. molecular imaging, noted Laurie E. Gianturco,
from patella tendon and hamstring anterior M.D., Education Exhibits Subcommittee Chair.
Diagnosis and characterization of Alzheimer
cruciate ligament reconstruction to
disease and other cognitive disorders are Pediatric Radiology
cytogenic advances in musculoskeletal
other hot topics, Dr. Hackney continued.
diseases,” said Education Exhibits Subcom- This year, five integrated sessions will
Important new studies involve ground-
mittee Chair Tod G. Abrahams, M.D. Exhibits combine invited speakers with scientific
breaking ideas including dual-energy CT to
also feature advanced imaging techniques, paper presentations on fetal imaging,
optimize the energy of monochromatic CT
including the use of iterative decomposi- pediatric chest imaging, pediatric cardiac
for imaging the instrumented spine,
tion of water and fat with echo asymmetry imaging and two pediatric neuroradiology
correlation of hippocampal volumetry and
and least-squares estimation (IDEAL) for sessions, according to Scientific Program
Pittsburgh Compound B in Alzheimer
decreasing metal artifact, 3.0 T whole-body Subcommittee Chair Marvin D. Nelson Jr.,
disease, a high incidence of cerebellar
MR imaging for spinal metastases, high- M.D. “In addition, there will be scientific
infarction in patients with migraine,
resolution 3D diffusion-weighted MR sessions on radiation dose reduction and
diffusion abnormalities in cognitively
neurography for small peripheral nerves monitoring, pediatric gastrointestinal and
normal subjects who are ApoE2 carriers and
and 4.0 T digital subtraction angiography CONTINUED ON NEXT PAGE
October 2010 | RSNA News 26

5. CONTINUED FROM PREVIOUS PAGE struction techniques, understanding CT central nervous system, breast, lung,
musculoskeletal applications,” Dr. Nelson dose indicators and evaluations of image prostate and head and neck.”
said. quality are on display,” said Dr. Seibert.
This year’s program also includes presenta-
“Interest remains strong in dose reduction Technological MR imaging innovations, tions in basic biology, gynecology, sarcoma,
techniques as well as in emerging tech- teaching and understanding MR physics, gastroenterology, quality of life/outcomes
niques for body MR imaging,” said Caroline and image quality and artifacts are major and benign tumors, Dr. Chung said. Hot
L. Hollingsworth, M.D., Education Exhibits themes, Dr. Seibert continued. “Presenta- topics are tumor targeting using molecular
Subcommittee Chair. “Cardiac imaging is tions include diffusion-weighted acquisition imaging, MR and CT and stereotactic body
also a popular topic. Novel approaches used methods, reviews of MR image artifacts and radiotherapy, he noted.
for neuroimaging in children will be seen in their causes, all-important issues related to
the education exhibits as well.” MR imaging safety, education of clinical MR Vascular/Interventional Radiology
through images and a ‘ridiculously’ easy While vascular interventions continue to
State-of-the-art pediatric protocols in CT explanation of K-space.” decline, there has been an explosion in
and MR for optimal imaging algorithms and
cancer-related interventions, said Scientific
radiation dose techniques are other More exhibits review multimodality devices
Program Subcommittee Chair John A.
noteworthy topics, Dr. Hollingsworth said. and their physics, Dr. Seibert said. “Several
Kaufman, M.D., noting that oncologic
ultrasound presentations discuss artifacts as
intervention abstracts represent 25 percent
Physics well as elastography techniques with
of the subcommittee’s submissions. Hot
CT dose reduction is a strong trend in examples of clinical utility,” he said. “Exhibits
topics focus on treating new tumors such as
physics, said Scientific Program Subcom- also explore digital tomosynthesis
mesothelioma and new technologies
mittee Chair Martin J. Yaffe, Ph.D., who also presentations beyond breast applications,
including irreversible electroporation. Issues
noted a downturn in computer-aided including reconstruction methods and
such as drainage and biopsy contribute to
detection abstracts and an increased focus pulmonary nodule detection, as well as
the strong showing in basic interventional
on image-guided therapy. fluoroscopy and radiography dose reviews
radiology, Dr. Kaufman added. “Important
and digital radiography exposure moni-
topics are long-term outcomes of liver
Provocative ideas include mapping of toring standards.”
ablation, clinical service by interventional
cerebral oxidative metabolism with MR
radiologists, new treatments for metastatic
imaging, molecular breast imaging, Radiation Oncology and
cancer, and patient experience in interven-
time-of-flight CT angiography and in vivo Radiobiology
tional radiology and improved treatment
characterization of tissue thermal properties In the few years since it was introduced, the experience with lower cost for liver
of the kidney in high-intensity focused Bolstering Oncoradiologic and Oncoradio- embolization.”
ultrasound, Dr. Yaffe said. therapeutic Skills for Tomorrow (BOOST)
program has experienced considerable Interventional oncology submissions were
CT and CT dose are major education issues
growth, said Scientific Program Subcom- plentiful for education exhibits as well, said
as well, according to Anthony Seibert, Ph.D.,
mittee Chair Chung T. Chung, M.D. “The Michael D. Darcy, M.D., Education Exhibits
Education Exhibits Subcommittee Chair.
program includes longitudinal radiologic Subcommittee chair. “But there is still great
“Optimization, the importance of estab-
and oncologic presentations with related diversity spanning all aspects of interven-
lishing protocol reviews, iterative recon-
scientific presentations in lymphoma, tional radiology,” Dr. Darcy said.
27 RSNA News | October 2010