|
E-Newsletter • December 2023 |
Editor's E-Note
Before we say goodbye to the old year, we’ve got one more newsletter for you. RSNA has come and gone, but there was plenty of interesting news at this year’s conference. This month, we’re highlighting a study that looked at the long-term effects of smoking.
Smoking marijuana is often viewed as less damaging than smoking tobacco, but a study presented at RSNA found that combining the two may increase the risk of emphysema. Those who indulge may want to consider whether they want to continue into the new year. Let us know what you have planned for the new year on X, formerly known as Twitter, and/or Facebook.
Enjoy the newsletter, and from everyone at Radiology Today, Happy Holidays!
— Dave Yeager, editor |
|
|
| In This E-Newsletter
|
 |
|
|
Marijuana, Cigarette Smokers at Increased Risk of Emphysema
Smoking marijuana in combination with cigarettes may lead to increased damage to the lung’s air sacs, according to research presented at RSNA 2023.
It is commonly believed that smoking marijuana is not harmful to the lungs. There is an abundance of established research that identifies the negative impacts of cigarette smoking. In contrast, very little is known about the effects of marijuana smoking, and even less research has been done on the combined effects of smoking marijuana and cigarettes.
“Marijuana is the most widely used illicit psychoactive substance in the world, and its use has increased in Canada since the legalization of nonmedical marijuana in 2018,” says study coauthor Jessie Kang, MD, a cardiothoracic radiologist and assistant professor in the department of diagnostic radiology at Dalhousie University in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada. “Currently, not much research exists on the effects of marijuana smoking on the lungs.”
To determine the effects of marijuana and cigarette smoking, researchers for the multicenter prospective study examined the chest CT images of four patient groups: nonsmokers, cigarette smokers, marijuana smokers, and combined marijuana and cigarette smokers. Marijuana smokers included in the study had smoked marijuana at least four times a month for two years. Patients who ingested marijuana via edibles or oral drops were excluded from the study.
|
Wearable Ultrasound Could Improve Rehabilitation
A study from the Acoustical Society of America found that wearable ultrasound monitors, designed by researchers at George Mason University, can provide valuable insight into muscle movement, which could lead to improved rehabilitation after injuries.
Easy-to-Read Radiology Reports Improve Read Times
A group of researchers from Florida International University and Baptist Health developed an easy-to-read reporting style for radiologists. The study, published in the European Journal of Radiology, revealed that the style improved read times and accuracy.
Brain MRI of Long-COVID Patients Reveals Changes
MRI scans of long-COVID patients reveal microstructural brain changes unseen in patients who may have suffered from COVID and had no long-term symptoms, according to research presented at the annual RSNA meeting. |
“We are coming very close to providing a method for breast cancer detection at an early stage that is inexpensive and harmless for women. … [One] that is clinically and commercially viable … [and] the results are extremely encouraging.”
|
|
|
COVER STORY
To Screen or Not to Screen
Raising awareness of the importance of lung cancer screenings and breaking down barriers to access is crucial, as participation rates remain low.
FEATURE
Building the Pipeline
Expanding outreach to medical students could be the way to combat ongoing workforce shortages within the field of medical imaging.
|
|
|
| Advertising Opportunities |
Have a product or service you want to market to radiology professionals? Utilize the reach of Radiology Today Magazine to accomplish your marketing goals. Email our experienced account executives today at sales@gvpub.com or call 800-278-4400 for more information.
|
| © 2023 Radiology Today Magazine |
|
|
