World Radiology Day 2023: Date & Significance

On November 8, 1895, the German physicist Wilhelm Röntgen discovered by chance the X-ray, a very penetrating radiation capable of passing through matter while being relatively weakly absorbed. On December 22 of the same year he produced the first x-ray image of his wife’s hand. A true medical revolution, radiology is today experiencing major advances thanks to AI, augmented reality and 3D imaging.

Radiology, a revolution for medical practice

Conventional radiology is the oldest and most widely used medical imaging technique. Standard x-rays, such as those of the thorax, spine or lower limbs, can detect fractures, infections, projectiles or bone tumors.

In 1897, France acquired the first radiology laboratory thanks to Doctor Béclère who set up a radioscopic installation in his general medicine department at the Tenon hospital in Paris. During the First World War, Marie Curie was behind the creation of a mobile army radiology service with the integration of radiological devices into military trucks. More than a million radiological examinations were carried out during the war, avoiding complications and saving thousands of men.

Over time, and with the integration of digital technology in the 2000sthe photos have sharper and more precise image quality. The images are now stored and analyzed by computer. Little by little, computer programs, integrating multitudes of data and artificial intelligence, are beginning to assist radiologists to improve the speed and precision of diagnoses.

The contributions of Artificial Intelligence

Artificial intelligence is proving to be a real revolution for radiology, it makes it possible to:

• Improve diagnosis by automated detection of early anomalies (invisible to the naked eye) or anomalies located in complex anatomical parts;
• Reduce erroneous diagnoses by limiting false negatives and false positives;
• Standardize snapshot readings by partially avoiding the interpretations of several radiologists;
• Save time (prioritization and automation of repetitive tasks);

• Plan therapeutic protocols adequate;
• Make it possible teleradiology ;
• Support research, training and innovation.

However, the use of AI in radiology also poses new challenges for caregivers. It is in fact necessary to validate it in real conditions and to train the teams. It also questions responsibility and data protection. Today, AI does not replace the radiologist, it constitutes a tool to aid interpretation and decision-making.

3D imaging and augmented reality

Augmented reality is emerging as a powerful tool for radiology. Within a decade, the use of augmented reality glasses or immersive headsets could allow radiologists to visualize anatomical structures in 3D.

This technology will make it possible to improve diagnoses and plan the actions to be performed during surgical interventions. It is also an excellent tool for training healthcare professionals who can practice in immersive conditions.

3D imaging should also revolutionize radiology, particularly in the case of complex pathologies.

In the next decade, AI, 3D, augmented reality, teleradiology and predictive and personalized medicine will give another face to medical diagnosis.

These technologies, synonymous with improving patient care, will nevertheless have to meet several challenges linked to software quality control, regulations, ethics (responsibility in care and equal access to care) as well as data security.

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