The recently held 2008 meeting of the Radiological Society of North America (RSNA 2008) was another great year for advances in imaging across radiology modalities and communities. Bookending RSNA was the noteworthy news from a *recent retrospective study* published in the Annals of Internal Medicine states that the Gold standard for colon cancer screening, the colonoscopy test, may be less accurate than previously reported. Not to overshadow RSNA itself, where MedicExchange covered prominent studies such as a *doubling in NPV results* from use of MRgFUS for uterine fibroids. An important market launch of a new *MR safe pacemaker* in the European markets raises a potential paradigm shift in the MR treatment of patients with pacemakers. Another interesting advance was a study on *virtual CT Cystoscopy* where slice thickness was better defined promises to bring virtual detection of bladder cancer into clinical trials. Advances in diagnosis of breast cancer were presented and two highlights were the use of currently approved *Breast Specific Gamma Imaging (BSGI)* to improve detection of unsuspected tumors and tumors in dense breasts, as well as early studies on the use of a *novel handheld optical imager* promising portability and flexibility.

There were several other sessions of interest in cardiology: such as a study on *captured material during carotid angioplasty and stenting* suggesting a need for noninvasive ways of direct plaque evaluation prior to CAS and the use of new *molecular markers for cardiovascular imaging*; in muculoskeletal imaging, there was a study on the *improved MR in bone imaging*; in thoracic imaging, an update on *thoracic MRI today*; in nephrology, there was *long term data after renal cyroablation*; in research and development, a study on use of *gold-dextran particles* for use in various imaging modalities; and finally there were three studies showing promising advances in various imaging technologies: such as a study on *dual energy CT showing 80Kv* lower energy was sufficient in peripheral pulmonary artery imaging; use of *MP4 technology* to compress imaging data in extreme environments; and a new marketed *15 megasubpixel display* promising 3 times the imaging resolution with the promise of improving diagnoses.

The MedicExchange team thanks you for joining us throughout these highlights from RSNA 2008. MedicExchange will focus on advances in breast cancer imaging technologies for the month of January 2009 and will provide focused coverage of *ECR* in March of 2009. Have a Happy Holiday Season and stay tuned to MedicExchange!

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