USARAD Holdings, a telemedicine and radiology services solutions provider, has entered a strategic collaboration with Zebra Medical Vision, a software company that specializes in Automated Imaging Analytics and Large-Scale Clinical Research. 

Together, the two companies hope to create advanced image-based decision support tools — the first of which will take aim at a condition that threatens over 50 million U.S. residents — osteoporotic fractures.

Low bone mass is the primary risk factor contributing to osteoporotic fractures, and adults over 50 years of age are especially susceptible to it. At present, bone health is conventionally measured using Bone Mineral Density tests, which can be conducted during dual energy X-ray absorptiometry. Millions of people, however, are not aware of their condition and therefore never undergo the density exam.
Zebra and USARAD aim to resolve this problem by utilizing advanced algorithms to interpret and process CT studies. 

"Our new algorithm will allow USARAD and Secondopinions.com to analyze pre-existing or new CT scans and provide a risk score for osteoporosis-related fractures," said Elad Benjamin, CEO of Zebra Medical Vision. "USARAD will then be able to alert their physicians, who can decide on the right course of treatment to help reduce or potentially avoid fractures."

On behalf of USARAD, Dr. Michael Yuz, CEO, said that by using this new service, hospitals will be able to reduce fractures, increase referrals, and expose their patients to fewer exams and less radiation. "We're excited about the potential of automatic decision support tools and their positive impact on our practice and patients," he said.

Nearly 2 million osteoporotic fractures occur annually in the U.S. and 25 percent of Americans are placed in nursing homes within 12 months of a hip fracture. Although many elderly people have osteoporosis, it is not a normal part of aging and can be prevented.

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