RSNA 2024 Building Intelligent Connections

Take a look at the latest discoveries in medical imaging research, education and technology that will be presented at RSNA 2024.

Common Thyroid Medicine Linked to Bone Loss

Levothyroxine, the second most prescribed medication among older adults in the U.S., may be associated with bone loss, according to a study out of Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine. Levothyroxine is commonly prescribed to treat hypothyroidism. The study group included 81 levothyroxine users and 364 non-users. The results showed that levothyroxine use was associated with greater loss of total body bone mass and bone density—even in participants whose thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) levels were within the normal range—over a median follow-up of 6.3 years. This remained true when accounting for other risk factors. Approximately 23 million Americans—about 7% of the U.S. population—take levothyroxine daily.

Vaping Causes Immediate Effects on Vascular Function

Using MRI, researchers at the University of Pennsylvania have identified acute effects of cigarette and e-cigarette smoking on vascular function. A total of 31 healthy smokers and vapers ranging in age from 21 to 49 years have been included in the study to date. Following inhalation of cigarettes and e-cigarettes, there was a significant decrease in the resting blood flow velocity in the superficial femoral artery. The decrease in vascular function was most pronounced after inhalation of e-cigarettes containing nicotine, followed by e-cigarettes without nicotine. Decreased venous oxygen saturation was also present in e-cigarette users, whether or not the e-cigarettes contained nicotine.