Israeli Researchers Show Medical Scans Vulnerable To Fake Tumors

This article was first published by The Times of Israel and is re-posted with permission.

Hackers have the ability to access the 3D medical scans of patients and add or remove images of malignant tumors, placing patients at risk of misdiagnosis, cybersecurity researchers at Ben-Gurion University of the Negev have found.

In a new study, the researchers showed that scans they managed to alter successfully deceived both radiologists and the artificial intelligence algorithms they used to aid them with the diagnosis.

Three-dimensional computerized tomography (CT) scans combine a series of X-ray images taken from different angles around the body and use computer processing to create cross-sectional images of bones, blood vessels and soft tissues. CT scan images provide more detailed information than standard X-rays, and are used to diagnose cancer, heart disease, infectious diseases, and more. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans are similar, but use powerful magnetic fields to diagnose bone, joint, ligament, and cartilage conditions.

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