Medical Threat from Hackers
Hackers can access a patient's 3-D medical scans to add or remove images of malignant tumors, putting patients at risk of misdiagnoses, according to cybersecurity researchers at the Ben-Gurion University of the Negev (BGU).
The hackers said that they have conducted a survey which shows that altered scans successfully deceived both radiologists and the artificial intelligence algorithms which are used to assist in reaching a diagnosis.
A 3-D CT (computerized tomography) scan combines a series of X-Ray images taken from different angles around the body and uses computer processing to create cross-sectional images (slices) of the bones, blood vessels, and soft tissues, the university explains in a statement on the research.
CT scan images provide more detailed information than standard X-Rays and are used to diagnose cancer, heart disease, infectious diseases, and more. An MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) scan is similar but uses powerful magnetic fields to diagnose bone, joint, ligament, and cartilage conditions.
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