Moscow doctors gain access to advanced AI for detecting vertebral displacement

RUSSIA—Doctors in Moscow now have access to an advanced artificial intelligence (AI) service designed to detect and evaluate vertebral displacement on X-ray images, marking a major breakthrough in the development of AI-driven healthcare solutions, particularly in radiology. 

This announcement was made by Anastasia Rakova, Moscow’s deputy mayor for social development, who highlighted that neural networks in radiological diagnostics can now identify signs of 38 different pathologies. 

Vertebral displacement—where the vertebrae shift from their normal position—can result from trauma, degenerative diseases, or conditions like osteoporosis, often leading to significant back pain.  

Accurate diagnosis is essential for prescribing the proper treatment, and the new AI technology is proving invaluable in this area. 

The neural networks analyse spinal X-rays with remarkable speed and precision, identifying misalignments and taking detailed measurements.  

This technological advancement enables healthcare professionals to make faster, more accurate diagnoses, ultimately reducing the time between the initial scan and the start of treatment.  

As Rakova explained, the sooner vertebral displacement is detected, the quicker appropriate treatment can be initiated. This helps prevent further complications and ensures a better quality of life for affected patients. 

More than 50 AI services are available to radiologists across Moscow, supporting them in detecting various diseases. 

These technologies are not limited to vertebral displacement but extend to the detection of serious conditions like lung cancer, pneumonia, osteoporosis, aortic aneurysms, ischemic heart disease, stroke, pulmonary hypertension, and hydrothorax. 

 AI services have processed over 12 million medical studies, including mammograms, CT scans, MRIs, and X-rays. 

Rakova also noted that by automating routine diagnostic processes, AI allows radiologists to focus on more complex cases, thereby enhancing the overall quality of care. 

The diagnostic accuracy of these AI services is comparable to that of experienced physicians, further strengthening confidence in their use. 

Yury Vasiliev, Senior Consultant for Radiology at the Moscow Healthcare Department and CEO of the Center for Diagnostics and Telemedicine, added that the performance of these AI algorithms is closely monitored by experts at their center.  

Only after passing stringent tests are these systems deployed for clinical use. Continuous monitoring ensures that the technology maintains high levels of accuracy, with feedback loops enabling developers to refine the models over time. 

Launched in 2020 as part of an initiative to integrate computer vision into medical diagnostics, this project is a collaboration between the Moscow Department of Information Technologies and the Moscow Social Development Complex.  

It aligns with the national program, “Digital Economy of the Russian Federation,” and Moscow’s regional project, “Digital Public Administration.” 

Together, these initiatives aim to leverage digital technologies to enhance healthcare services and improve residents’ quality of life. 

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