Road to RSNA 2023: Digital X-Ray

This year’s trip along the Road to RSNA for digital x-ray features mileposts mostly set by AI research. Models will be proposed for applications ranging from predicting bone density on chest x-rays to generating complete reports on anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) tears. 

Yet several presentations to be given at the meeting reminded us that issues concerning basic elements of x-ray technology remain highly important, as well as whether imaging access is equitable in the "real-world."

In one, a group at the University of Washington in St. Louis asked, “How much ionizing radiation are neonatal patients exposed to during interventional procedures?” The findings have implications for future risks of malignancy in these fragile patients, according to the researchers.

In another, Temple University researchers in Philadelphia, PA, will provide evidence suggesting that disparities exist across racial and ethnic groups in the use of dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry (DEXA) scans around the time of hip fractures.

Nonetheless, AI is poised to take top headlines. Exciting presentations will cover a generative AI model that shows potential for making surgical planning for total hip arthroplasty (THA) more efficient and a deep-learning model developed to identify individuals at high risk of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

Here, we’ve highlighted just a small sample of digital x-ray presentations scheduled for RSNA 2023. You can also view the complete 2022 scientific and educational program on the RSNA 2023 website.


Generative AI enables patient-specific THA surgical templating

Sunday, November 26 | 1:00 p.m.-1:10 p.m. | S4-SSMK02-2 | Room E353C

Generative AI technology shows potential for making surgical planning for total hip arthroplasty (THA) more efficient, according to researchers from the Mayo Clinic.

DEXA use varies across racial groups

Sunday, November 26 | 1:50 p.m.-2:00 p.m. | S4-SSMK02-5 | Room E353C

In this session, evidence will be presented that suggests disparities exist across racial and ethnic groups in the use of dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry (DEXA) scans around the time of hip fractures.

Deep-learning model predicts bone density on chest x-rays

Monday, November 27 | 11:30 a.m.-11:40 a.m. | M4-SSMK03-4 | Room E450A

A deep-learning AI model will be presented in this session that can predict bone mineral density T-scores from chest x-rays.


Radiation doses estimated in infants with congenital heart disease

Monday, November 27 | 3:10 p.m.-3:20 p.m. | M7-SSPH05-2 | Room N229

Findings will be presented in this Monday afternoon presentation on organ-specific ionizing radiation doses in neonatal patients who undergo interventional procedures for congenital heart disease (CHD).


Deep-learning model assesses bone age on elbow x-rays

Tuesday, November 28 | 8:30 a.m.-8:40 a.m. | T1-SSPD03-3 | Room E353B

In this session on pediatric imaging, a deep-learning model will be presented that is designed to assess bone age by visualizing features of the olecranon on lateral elbow x-rays.


Can AI improve turnaround times for fracture detection?

Tuesday, November 28 | 9:50 a.m.-10:00 a.m. | T3-SSER01-3 | Room E451A

A tool that prioritizes x-ray exams when it detects fractures yields “tremendous reductions” in report turnaround times, according to a study to be presented in this session.


AI algorithm measures shoulder kinematics on DDR

Wednesday, November 29 | 9:40 a.m.-9:50 a.m. | W3-SSMK08 | Room 5E450A

In this session on musculoskeletal imaging, a deep-learning AI algorithm will be presented for measuring shoulder kinematics using dynamic digital radiography (DDR) images.


Deep-learning model can spot patients at high risk of COPD

Thursday, November 30 | 8:20 a.m.-8:30 a.m. | R1-SSCH09-3 | Room E352

This scientific presentation will present external validation results for a deep-learning model in identifying individuals at high risk of incident chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) on routine outpatient chest x-rays (CXR).


AI chatbot model generates complete reports on ACL tears

Thursday, November 30 | 9:10 a.m.-9:20 a.m. | R3-SSIN07-2 | Room N227B

In this session, an AI chatbot called MedVisGPT will be introduced that can help diagnose anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) tears on knee x-rays and produce detailed medical reports in seconds based on conversations with users.


DDR and CTPA compared for assessing pulmonary thromboembolism

Thursday, November 30 | 1:40 p.m.-1:50 p.m. | R6-SSPH15-2 | Room S501

During this session, early results will be presented of an ongoing pilot study comparing dynamic digital radiography (DDR) with perfusion assessment and CT pulmonary angiography (CTPA) in evaluating suspected pulmonary thromboembolism.