A Medical Student's Experience at RSNA 2024
AUTHOR: Zain Hussain, MS-4 at University of Medicine & Health Sciences Saint Kitts
One of the largest medical conferences in the world, the Radiological Society of North America (RSNA) Annual Meeting, is a platform for radiologists and researchers to discuss groundbreaking advancements in medical imaging. At DMC Radiology, under the direction of interventional radiologist Dr. Ali Harb, MD, and against the backdrop of the current national opioid epidemic, my research aimed to understand the role of interventional radiology in addressing post-operative opioid use through optimized minimally invasive treatments.
Our study analyzed 250 patients who underwent uterine fibroid embolization (UFE), comparing those who received an adjunctive superior hypogastric nerve block (SHPB) to those who did not receive SHPB. We showed a statistically significant reduction in opioid use postoperatively for patients receiving SHPB, with a hazard ratio of 0.65 (p<0.05) and a median time to opioid discontinuation of 14 days compared to 22 days in the control group. Additional outcomes, such as pain scores and opioid dependence rates at 30 and 90 days, provided compelling evidence for SHPB as an effective pain management strategy in minimally invasive fibroid treatments.
It was a privilege to work under the direction of Dr. Harb, whose leadership was instrumental in pushing this important work forward. Shortly after reaching out, Dr. Harb connected me with DMC Radiology resident Arif Musa, MD, who greatly assisted in project oversight and mentorship. Conducting research at DMC was a seamless process, thanks to the eagerness and support of the faculty and residents.
"I want to extend my heartfelt congratulations to Zain Hussain for his exceptional research presentation at the 2024 RSNA Annual Meeting which demonstrated superior hypogastric nerve block as an effective pain management strategy for uterine fibroid embolization. Presenting at such a prestigious conference is a testament to Zain's hard work, dedication, and innovative approach to advancing the field of interventional radiology. Zain's ability to effectively communicate complex concepts and contribute to the field at this level is truly impressive. Well done!" said Dr. Ali N. Harb, attending interventional radiologist at Detroit Medical Center.
At RSNA 2024, I had the opportunity to meet senior consulting directors from VIZIENT, learn about the growing overlap between clinical informatics and artificial intelligence, and explore the importance of quality control in the face of declining reimbursements. Additionally, I engaged in candid discussions with the American College of Radiology's Government Relations Committee about playing a role in congressional advocacy. Shortly after the conference, I joined the Radiology Advocacy Network (RAN).
”It was a distinct pleasure to work with student doctor Zain Hussain on this timely study that found a statistically significant decrease in opioid medication consumption in patients undergoing uterine fibroid embolization. Zain has an incredibly bright future and I have no doubt that he will be an excellent addition to whichever residency program he chooses. His excellence in academics, teaching ability, and unique skillset in informatics make him a ‘triple threat’ residency applicant,” said Dr. Musa, PGY-3 diagnostic radiology resident at Detroit Medical Center.
I am deeply grateful to the DMC Radiology faculty, residents, and staff for their support and encouragement. Dr. Altinok's warm enthusiasm for DMC involvement allowed me to further develop my skills in teaching and research under the guidance of the radiology department. I highly recommend medical students who are interested in gaining more experience with radiology research to explore opportunities at DMC Radiology.
About the Author
Zain Hussain is a medical graduate of the University of Medicine & Health Sciences. He is currently a Clinical Informatics Intern at an urban urgent care facility in Detroit, Michigan, where he is actively learning how to improve the operational efficiency of radiology consultations in the primary care setting. He looks forward to applying these insights to future innovations in diagnostic and interventional radiology.