RSNA: Dec. 2, 2009 briefing and presentations
August 26, 2015
A randomized, controlled study from the University of Athens compared standard conservative therapy to a minimally invasive treatment for sciatica caused by herniated discs and found that both treatments help patients in the short run, but only percutaneous disc decompression kept patients pain free up to two years later. One patient first group received six weeks of therapy consisting of analgesics, anti-inflammatory drugs and muscle relaxants. A second group underwent disc decompression. Both patient groups showed initial improvement. However, one year and two years after treatment, patients who had undergone disc decompression continued to improve, while the other patients reported that their pain had returned and their mobility had decreased. This study will be presented by Alexios Kelekis, M.D., Ph.D.
Annual Screening with Breast Ultrasound or MRI Could Benefit Some Women (11 a.m. ET)
The latest findings from the American College of Radiology Imaging Network (ACRIN) 6666 clinical trial funded by the Avon Foundation and the National Cancer Institute provide the first strong evidence of the benefit of annual screening ultrasound for women with dense breasts who are at elevated risk for breast cancer. In addition, the study confirmed that MRI is highly sensitive in depicting early breast cancer. The researchers studied 612 women, mean age 55 years, at elevated risk of breast cancer. Over the course of the study, 50 to 56 percent of cancers were shown on mammography. Adding ultrasound allowed detection of 70 to 94 percent of cancers. Adding MRI allowed for detection of additional cancers at their earliest stage. Both ultrasound and MRI increased the risk of false-positive findings. This study will be presented by Wendie A. Berg, M.D., Ph.D.
SOURCE Radiological Society of North America (RSNA)