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Asymptomatic adnexal masses are commonly encountered in daily radiology practice. Although the vast majority of these masses are benign, a small subset have a risk of malignancy, which require gynecologic oncology referral for best treatment outcomes. Ultrasound, using a combination of both transabdominal, transvaginal, and duplex Doppler technique can accurately characterize the majority of these lesions. MRI with and without contrast is a useful complementary modality that can help characterize indeterminate lesions and assess the risk of malignancy is those that are suspicious. The American College of Radiology Appropriateness Criteria are evidence-based guidelines for specific clinical conditions that are reviewed annually by a multidisciplinary expert panel. The guideline development and revision process support the systematic analysis of the medical literature from peer reviewed journals. Established methodology principles such as Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation or GRADE are adapted to evaluate the evidence. The RAND/UCLA Appropriateness Method User Manual provides the methodology to determine the appropriateness of imaging and treatment procedures for specific clinical scenarios. In those instances where peer reviewed literature is lacking or equivocal, experts may be the primary evidentiary source available to formulate a recommendation.
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Enfermedades de los Anexos , Medicina Basada en la Evidencia , Sociedades Médicas , Humanos , Enfermedades de los Anexos/diagnóstico por imagen , Femenino , Estados Unidos , Diagnóstico DiferencialRESUMEN
Gastrointestinal (GI) bleeding is the most common GI diagnosis leading to hospitalization within the United States. Prompt diagnosis and treatment of GI bleeding is critical to improving patient outcomes and reducing high healthcare utilization and costs. Radiologic techniques including computed tomography angiography, catheter angiography, computed tomography enterography, magnetic resonance enterography, nuclear medicine red blood cell scan, and technetium-99m pertechnetate scintigraphy (Meckel scan) are frequently used to evaluate patients with GI bleeding and are complementary to GI endoscopy. However, multiple management guidelines exist which differ in the recommended utilization of these radiologic examinations. This variability can lead to confusion as to how these tests should be used in the evaluation of GI bleeding. In this document, a panel of experts from the American College of Gastroenterology and Society of Abdominal Radiology provide a review of the radiologic examinations used to evaluate for GI bleeding including nomenclature, technique, performance, advantages, and limitations. A comparison of advantages and limitations relative to endoscopic examinations is also included. Finally, consensus statements and recommendations on technical parameters and utilization of radiologic techniques for GI bleeding are provided.
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Hemorragia Gastrointestinal , Humanos , Hemorragia Gastrointestinal/diagnóstico por imagen , Hemorragia Gastrointestinal/diagnóstico , Consenso , Estados Unidos , Gastroenterología/normas , Sociedades Médicas , Diagnóstico por Imagen/métodos , Diagnóstico por Imagen/normas , Endoscopía GastrointestinalRESUMEN
This review focuses on the initial imaging in the reproductive age adult population with acute pelvic pain, including patients with positive and negative beta-human chorionic gonadotropin (ß-hCG) levels with suspected gynecological and nongynecological etiology. For all patients, a combination of transabdominal and transvaginal pelvic ultrasound with Doppler is usually appropriate as an initial imaging study. If nongynecological etiology in patients with negative ß-hCG is suspected, then CT of the abdomen and pelvis with or without contrast is also usually appropriate. In patients with positive ß-hCG and suspected nongynecological etiology, CT of the abdomen and pelvis with contrast and MRI of the abdomen and pelvis without contrast may be appropriate. In patients with negative ß-hCG and suspected gynecological etiology, CT of the abdomen and pelvis with contrast, MRI of pelvis without contrast, or MRI of pelvis with and without contrast may be appropriate. The American College of Radiology Appropriateness Criteria are evidence-based guidelines for specific clinical conditions that are reviewed annually by a multidisciplinary expert panel. The guideline development and revision process support the systematic analysis of the medical literature from peer reviewed journals. Established methodology principles such as Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation or GRADE are adapted to evaluate the evidence. The RAND/UCLA Appropriateness Method User Manual provides the methodology to determine the appropriateness of imaging and treatment procedures for specific clinical scenarios. In those instances where peer reviewed literature is lacking or equivocal, experts may be the primary evidentiary source available to formulate a recommendation.
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Dolor Pélvico , Adulto , Femenino , Humanos , Embarazo , Dolor Agudo/diagnóstico por imagen , Dolor Agudo/etiología , Medicina Basada en la Evidencia , Dolor Pélvico/diagnóstico por imagen , Sociedades Médicas , Estados UnidosRESUMEN
Gastrointestinal (GI) bleeding is the most common GI diagnosis leading to hospitalization within the United States. Prompt diagnosis and treatment of GI bleeding is critical to improving patient outcomes and reducing high health care utilization and costs. Radiologic techniques including CT angiography, catheter angiography, CT enterography, MR enterography, nuclear medicine red blood cell scan, and technetium-99m pertechnetate scintigraphy (Meckel scan) are frequently used to evaluate patients with GI bleeding and are complementary to GI endoscopy. However, multiple management guidelines exist, which differ in the recommended utilization of these radiologic examinations. This variability can lead to confusion as to how these tests should be used in the evaluation of GI bleeding. In this document, a panel of experts from the American College of Gastroenterology and Society of Abdominal Radiology provide a review of the radiologic examinations used to evaluate for GI bleeding including nomenclature, technique, performance, advantages, and limitations. A comparison of advantages and limitations relative to endoscopic examinations is also included. Finally, consensus statements and recommendations on technical parameters and utilization of radiologic techniques for GI bleeding are provided. © Radiological Society of North America and the American College of Gastroenterology, 2024. Supplemental material is available for this article. This article is being published concurrently in American Journal of Gastroenterology and Radiology. The articles are identical except for minor stylistic and spelling differences in keeping with each journal's style. Citations from either journal can be used when citing this article. See also the editorial by Lockhart in this issue.
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Hemorragia Gastrointestinal , Radiología , Humanos , Hemorragia Gastrointestinal/diagnóstico por imagen , Tomografía Computarizada por Rayos X , Angiografía , CatéteresRESUMEN
OBJECTIVES: To determine whether international normalized ratio (INR), bilirubin, and creatinine predict bleeding risk following percutaneous liver biopsy. METHODS: A total of 870 consecutive patients (age 53 ± 14 years; 53% (459/870) male) undergoing non-targeted, ultrasound-guided, percutaneous liver biopsy at a single tertiary center from 01/2016 to 12/2019 were retrospectively reviewed. Results were analyzed using descriptive statistics and logistic regression models to evaluate the relationship between individual and combined laboratory values, and post-biopsy bleeding risk. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves and area under ROC (AUC) curves were constructed to evaluate predictive ability. RESULTS: Post-biopsy bleeding occurred in 2.0% (17/870) of patients, with 0.8% (7/870) requiring intervention. The highest INR within 3 months preceding biopsy demonstrated the best predictive ability for post-biopsy bleeding and was superior to the most recent INR (AUC = 0.79 vs 0.61, p = 0.003). Total bilirubin is an independent predictor of bleeding (AUC = 0.73) and better than the most recent INR (0.61). Multivariate regression analysis of the highest INR and total bilirubin together yielded no improvement in predictive performance compared to INR alone (0.80 vs 0.79). The MELD score calculated using the highest INR (AUC = 0.79) and most recent INR (AUC = 0.74) were similar in their predictive performance. Creatinine is a poor predictor of bleeding (AUC = 0.61). Threshold analyses demonstrate an INR of > 1.8 to have the highest predictive accuracy for bleeding. CONCLUSION: The highest INR in 3 months preceding ultrasound-guided percutaneous liver biopsy is associated with, and a better predictor for, post-procedural bleeding than the most recent INR and should be considered in patient risk stratification. CLINICAL RELEVANCE STATEMENT: Despite correction of coagulopathic indices, the highest international normalized ratio within the 3 months preceding percutaneous liver biopsy is associated with, and a better predictor for, bleeding and should considered in clinical decision-making and determining biopsy approach. KEY POINTS: ⢠Bleeding occurred in 2% of patients following ultrasound-guided liver biopsy, and was non-trivial in 41% of those patients who needed additional intervention and had an associated 23% 30-day mortality rate. ⢠The highest INR within 3 months preceding biopsy (AUC = 0.79) is a better predictor of bleeding than the most recent INR (AUC = 0.61). ⢠The MELD score is associated with post-procedural bleeding, but with variable predictive performance largely driven by its individual laboratory components.
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PURPOSE: The aim of this study is to uncover potential areas for cost savings in uterine artery embolization (UAE) using time-driven activity-based costing, the most accurate costing methodology for direct health care system costs. METHODS: One hundred twenty-three patients who underwent outpatient UAE for fibroids or adenomyosis between January 2020 and December 2022 were retrospectively reviewed. Utilization times were captured from electronic health record time stamps and staff interviews using validated techniques. Capacity cost rates were estimated using institutional data and manufacturer proxy prices. Costs were calculated using time-driven activity-based costing for personnel, equipment, and consumables. Differences in time utilization and costs between procedures by an interventional radiology attending physician only versus an interventional radiology attending physician and trainee were additionally performed. RESULTS: The mean total cost of UAE was $4,267 ± $1,770, the greatest contributor being consumables (51%; $2,162 ± $811), followed by personnel (33%; $1,388 ± $340) and equipment (7%; $309 ± $96). Embolic agents accounted for the greatest proportion of consumable costs, accounting for 51% ($1,273 ± $789), followed by vascular devices (15%; $630 ± $143). The cost of embolic agents was highly variable, driven mainly by the number of vials (range 1-19) of tris-acryl gelatin particles used. Interventional radiology attending physician only cases had significantly lower personnel costs ($1,091 versus $1,425, P = .007) and equipment costs ($268 versus $317, P = .007) compared with interventional radiology attending physician and trainee cases, although there was no significant difference in mean overall costs ($3,640 versus $4,386; P = .061). CONCLUSIONS: Consumables accounted for the majority of total cost of UAE, driven by the cost of embolic agents and vascular devices.
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Leiomioma , Embolización de la Arteria Uterina , Humanos , Femenino , Embolización de la Arteria Uterina/economía , Estudios Retrospectivos , Leiomioma/terapia , Leiomioma/economía , Leiomioma/diagnóstico por imagen , Adulto , Radiología Intervencionista/economía , Persona de Mediana Edad , Neoplasias Uterinas/terapia , Neoplasias Uterinas/economía , Neoplasias Uterinas/diagnóstico por imagen , Costos de la Atención en Salud/estadística & datos numéricos , Ahorro de Costo , Radiografía Intervencional/economíaRESUMEN
Background Splenic biopsy is rarely performed because of the perceived risk of hemorrhagic complications. Purpose To evaluate the safety of large bore (≥18 gauge) image-guided splenic biopsy. Materials and Methods This retrospective study included consecutive adult patients who underwent US- or CT-guided splenic biopsy between March 2001 and March 2022 at eight academic institutions in the United States. Biopsies were performed with needles that were 18 gauge or larger, with a comparison group of biopsies with needles smaller than 18 gauge. The primary outcome was significant bleeding after the procedure, defined by the presence of bleeding at CT performed within 30 days or angiography and/or surgery performed to manage the bleeding. Categorical variables were compared using the χ2 test and medians were compared using the Mann-Whitney test. Results A total of 239 patients (median age, 63 years; IQR, 50-71 years; 116 of 239 [48.5%] female patients) underwent splenic biopsy with an 18-gauge or smaller needle and 139 patients (median age, 58 years [IQR, 49-69 years]; 66 of 139 [47.5%] female patients) underwent biopsy with a needle larger than 18 gauge. Bleeding was detected in 20 of 239 (8.4%) patients in the 18-gauge or smaller group and 11 of 139 (7.9%) in the larger than 18-gauge group. Bleeding was treated in five of 239 (2.1%) patients in the 18-gauge or smaller group and one of 139 (1%) in the larger than 18-gauge group. No deaths related to the biopsy procedure were recorded during the study period. Patients with bleeding after biopsy had smaller lesions compared with patients without bleeding (median, 2.1 cm [IQR, 1.6-5.4 cm] vs 3.5 cm [IQR, 2-6.8 cm], respectively; P = .03). Patients with a history of lymphoma or leukemia showed a lower incidence of bleeding than patients without this history (three of 90 [3%] vs 28 of 288 [9.7%], respectively; P = .05). Conclusion Bleeding after splenic biopsy with a needle 18 gauge or larger was similar to biopsy with a needle smaller than 18 gauge and seen in 8% of procedures overall, with 2% overall requiring treatment. © RSNA, 2024 Supplemental material is available for this article. See also the editorial by Grant in this issue.
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Biopsia Guiada por Imagen , Agujas , Bazo , Femenino , Humanos , Masculino , Persona de Mediana Edad , Angiografía , Biopsia Guiada por Imagen/efectos adversos , Agujas/efectos adversos , Agujas/estadística & datos numéricos , Estudios Retrospectivos , Bazo/diagnóstico por imagen , Bazo/patología , AncianoRESUMEN
OBJECTIVE: To assess success and safety of CT-guided procedures with narrow window access for biopsy. METHODS: Three hundred ninety-six consecutive patients undergoing abdominal or pelvic CT-guided biopsy or fiducial placement between 01/2015 and 12/2018 were included (183 women, mean age 63⯱â¯14 years). Procedures were classified into "wide window" (width of the needle path between structures >â¯15 mm) and "narrow window" (≤â¯15 mm) based on intraprocedural images. Clinical information, complications, technical and clinical success, and outcomes were collected. The blunt needle approach is preferred by our interventional radiology team for narrow window access. RESULTS: There were 323 (81.5%) wide window procedures and 73 (18.5%) narrow window procedures with blunt needle approach. The median depth for the narrow window group was greater (97 mm, interquartile range (IQR) 82-113 mm) compared to the wide window group (84 mm, IQR 60-106 mm); pâ¯=â¯0.0017. Technical success was reached in 100% (73/73) of the narrow window and 99.7% (322/323) of the wide window procedures. There was no difference in clinical success rate between the two groups (narrow: 86.4%, 57/66; wide: 89.5%, 265/296; pâ¯=â¯0.46). There was no difference in immediate complication rate (narrow: 1.3%, 1/73; wide: 1.2%, 4/323; pâ¯=â¯0.73) or delayed complication rate (narrow: 1.3%, 1/73; wide: 0.6%, 1/323; pâ¯=â¯0.50). CONCLUSION: Narrow window (<â¯15 mm) access biopsy and fiducial placement with blunt needle approach under CT guidance is safe and successful. CLINICAL RELEVANCE STATEMENT: CT-guided biopsy and fiducial placement can be performed through narrow window access of less than 15 mm utilizing the blunt-tip technique. KEY POINTS: ⢠A narrow window for CT-guided abdominal and pelvic biopsies and fiducial placements was considered when width of the needle path between vital structures was ≤â¯15 mm. ⢠Seventy-three biopsies and fiducial placements performed through a narrow window with blunt needle approach had a similar rate of technical and clinical success and complications compared to 323 procedures performed through a wide window approach, with traditional approach (>â¯15 mm). ⢠This study confirmed the safety of the CT-guided percutaneous procedures through <â¯15 mm window with blunt-tip technique.
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Abdomen , Biopsia Guiada por Imagen , Humanos , Femenino , Persona de Mediana Edad , Anciano , Estudios Retrospectivos , Biopsia Guiada por Imagen/métodos , Abdomen/diagnóstico por imagen , Tomografía Computarizada por Rayos X/métodos , Pelvis/diagnóstico por imagenAsunto(s)
Médicos Mujeres , Radiología , Humanos , Femenino , Radiografía , Red Social , Selección de Profesión , Docentes Médicos , Movilidad LaboralRESUMEN
PURPOSE: After a slow and challenging transition period, peer learning and improvement (PLI) is now being more widely adopted by practices as an option for continuous personal and practice performance improvement. In addition to gaps that exist in the understanding of what PLI is and how it should be practiced, wide variation exists in how the process is implemented, administered, how outcomes are measured, and what strategies are employed to engage radiologists. This report aims to describe lessons learned from our 20-year experience with the design, implementation, and continuous improvements of a PLI program in a large academic program. METHODS: Since initial implementation in 2004, an oversight team prospectively documented iterative process improvements and data submission trends in our PLI process. Process data included strategies for engaging radiologists in the PLI process (fostering case submission, PLI meeting participation), steps for achieving regulatory compliance, and template content for facilitating the value and impact of PLI meetings (case analysis, review of contributing factors, identification of improvement opportunities). RESULTS: Submission trends, submitted case content, and improvement opportunities varied by clinical section. Process improvements that fostered engagement included closing the loop with participants, expanding criteria for case submission beyond interpretive disagreements (e.g., great pickups, near misses), minimizing impacts to workflow, and using evidence-based templates for case and contributor categorization, bias analysis, and identification of improvement opportunities. CONCLUSION: Implementing an effective PLI program requires sustained communication, education, and continuous process improvement. While PLI can certainly lead to process and individual performance improvement, the program requires trained champions, designated time, effort, resources, education, and patience to be effectively implemented.
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Radiólogos , Radiología , Humanos , Radiología/educaciónRESUMEN
BACKGROUND: Routine concordance evaluation between pathology and imaging findings was introduced for CT-guided biopsies. PURPOSE: To analyze malignancy rate in concordant, discordant, and indeterminate non-malignant results of CT-guided lung biopsies. METHODS: Concordance between pathology results and imaging findings of consecutive patients undergoing CT-guided lung biopsy between 7/1/2016 and 9/30/2021 was assessed during routine meetings by procedural radiologists. Concordant was defined as pathology consistent with imaging findings; discordant was used when pathology could not explain imaging findings; indeterminate when pathology could explain imaging findings but there was concern for malignancy. Recommendations for discordant and indeterminate were provided. All the malignant results were concordant. Pathology of repeated biopsy, surgical sample, or follow-up was considered reference standard. RESULTS: Consecutive 828 CT-guided lung biopsies were performed on 795 patients (median age 70 years, IQR 61-77), 423/828 (51%) women. On pathology, 224/828 (27%) were non-malignant. Among the non-malignant, radiology-pathology concordance determined 138/224 (62%) to be concordant with imaging findings, 54/224 (24%) discordant, and 32/224 (14%) indeterminate. When compared to the reference standard, 33/54 (61%) discordant results, 6/30 (20%) indeterminate, and 3/133 (2%) concordant were malignant. The prevalence of malignancy in the three groups was significantly different (p < 0.001). Time to diagnosis was significantly different between patients who reached the diagnosis with imaging follow-up (median 114 days, IQR 69-206) compared to repeat biopsy (33 days, IQR 18-133) (p = 0.01). CONCLUSION: Routine radiology-pathology concordance evaluation of CT-guided lung biopsy correctly identifies patients at high risk for missed diagnosis of malignancy. Repeat biopsy is the fastest method to reach diagnosis. CLINICAL RELEVANCE STATEMENT: A routine radiology-pathology concordance assessment identifies patients with non-malignant CT-guided lung biopsy result who are at greater risk of missed diagnosis of malignancy. KEY POINTS: ⢠A routine radiology-pathology concordance evaluation of CT-guided lung biopsies classified 224 non-malignant results as concordant, discordant, or indeterminate. ⢠The percentage of malignancy on follow-up was significantly different in concordant (2%), discordant (61%), and indeterminate (20%) (p < 0.001). ⢠Time to definitive diagnosis was significantly shorter with repeat biopsy (33 days), compared to imaging follow-up (114 days), p = 0.01.
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OBJECTIVES: To determine the factors that affect successful ultrasound-guided biopsy of liver lesions and build a model predicting feasibility of US-guided liver biopsy. METHODS: This is IRB-approved HIPAA-compliant retrospective review of consecutive ultrasound-guided targeted liver biopsies performed or attempted between 1/2018 and 9/2020 at a single tertiary academic institution with a total of 501 patients included. Mann-Whitney and chi-square tests were used to compare continuous and categorical variables, respectively. Logistic regression model was built to predict feasibility of successful ultrasound-guided biopsy. RESULTS: Liver lesion biopsy was successfully performed with US guidance in 429/501 (86%) patients. Lesions not amenable for US biopsy were smaller (median size 1.6 cm vs 3.3 cm, p < 0.0001) and deeper within the liver (median depth 9.0 cm vs 5.8 cm, p < 0.0001). The technical success rate was lowest for lesions in segment II (40/53, 75%), while lesions in segment IVb (87/91, 96%) had highest success rate (p < 0.003). US targeting in patients with 1 or 2 lesions was less feasible than in patients with 3 or more lesions, 126/180 (70%) vs. 303/321 (94%), (p < 0.0001). Model including lesion size, depth, location, and number of lesions predicts feasibility of US-guided biopsy with Area under the ROC curve (AUC) = 0.92. CONCLUSIONS: Linear logistic regression model that includes lesion size, depth and location, and number of lesions is highly successful in predicting feasibility of ultrasound-guided biopsy for liver lesions. Smaller lesions, deeper lesions, and lesions in segment II and VIII in patients with less than 3 lesions were less feasible for ultrasound-guided biopsy of liver lesions.
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The surgical management of placenta accreta spectrum (PAS) is often challenging. There are a variety of techniques and management options described in the literature ranging from uterine sparing to cesarean hysterectomy. Following the inaugural meeting of the Pan-American Society for Placenta Accreta Spectrum a multidisciplinary group collaborated to describe collective recommendations for the surgical management of PAS. In this manuscript, we outline individual components of the procedure and provide suggested direction at key points of a cesarean hysterectomy in the setting of PAS. KEY POINTS: · The surgical management of PAS requires careful planning and expertise.. · Multidisciplinary team care for pregnancies complicated by PAS can decrease morbidity and mortality.. · Careful surgical techniques can minimize risk of significant hemorrhage by avoiding pitfalls..
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Placenta Accreta , Embarazo , Femenino , Humanos , Placenta Accreta/cirugía , Cesárea/métodos , Morbilidad , Histerectomía , Estudios Retrospectivos , PlacentaRESUMEN
PURPOSE: To evaluate the ability of hand motion analysis using conventional and new motion metrics to differentiate between operators of varying levels of experience for central venous access (CVA) and liver biopsy (LB). MATERIALS AND METHODS: In the CVA task, 7 interventional radiologists (experts), 10 senior trainees, and 5 junior trainees performed ultrasound-guided CVA on a standardized manikin; 5 trainees were retested after 1 year. In the LB task, 4 radiologists (experts) and 7 trainees biopsied a lesion on a manikin. Conventional motion metrics (path length and task time), a refined metric (translational movements), and new metrics (rotational sum and rotational movements) were calculated. RESULTS: In the CVA task, experts outperformed trainees on all metrics (P < .02). Senior trainees required fewer rotational movements (P = .02), translational movements (P = .045), and time (P = .001) than junior trainees. Similarly, on 1-year follow-up, trainees had fewer translational (P = .02) and rotational (P = .003) movements with less task time (P = .003). The path length and rotational sum were not different between junior and senior trainees or for trainees on follow-up. Rotational and translational movements had greater area under the curve values (0.91 and 0.86, respectively) than the rotational sum (0.73) and path length (0.61). In the LB task, experts performed the task with a shorter path length (P = .04), fewer translational (P = .04) and rotational (P = .02) movements, and less time (P < .001) relative to the trainees. CONCLUSIONS: Hand motion analysis using translational and rotational movements was better at differentiating levels of experience and improvement with training than the conventional metric of path length.
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Benchmarking , Internado y Residencia , Humanos , Mano , Ultrasonografía , Competencia Clínica , Ultrasonografía IntervencionalRESUMEN
Endometrial cancer is the most common gynecologic cancer in the United States and Europe, with an increasing incidence rate in high-income countries. MR imaging is recommended for treatment planning because it provides critical information on the extent of myometrial and cervical invasion, extrauterine spread, and lymph node status, all of which are important in the selection of the most appropriate therapy. This article highlights the added value of imaging, focused on MR imaging, in the assessment of endometrial cancer and summarizes the role of MR imaging for endometrial cancer risk stratification and management.
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Neoplasias Endometriales , Neoplasias de los Genitales Femeninos , Femenino , Humanos , Estadificación de Neoplasias , Neoplasias Endometriales/diagnóstico por imagen , Neoplasias Endometriales/patología , Neoplasias Endometriales/terapia , Imagen por Resonancia Magnética/métodos , Neoplasias de los Genitales Femeninos/patología , Metástasis Linfática , Invasividad Neoplásica/patologíaRESUMEN
Gastrointestinal (GI) bleeding is a potentially life-threatening condition accounting for more than 300 000 annual hospitalizations. Multidetector abdominopelvic CT angiography is commonly used in the evaluation of patients with GI bleeding. Given that many patients with severe overt GI bleeding are unlikely to tolerate bowel preparation, and inpatient colonoscopy is frequently limited by suboptimal preparation obscuring mucosal visibility, CT angiography is recommended as a first-line diagnostic test in patients with severe hematochezia to localize a source of bleeding. Assessment of these patients with conventional single-energy CT systems typically requires the performance of a noncontrast series followed by imaging during multiple postcontrast phases. Dual-energy CT (DECT) offers several potential advantages for performing these examinations. DECT may eliminate the need for a noncontrast acquisition by allowing the creation of virtual noncontrast (VNC) images from contrast-enhanced data, affording significant radiation dose reduction while maintaining diagnostic accuracy. VNC images can help radiologists to differentiate active bleeding, hyperattenuating enteric contents, hematomas, and enhancing masses. Additional postprocessing techniques such as low-kiloelectron voltage virtual monoenergetic images, iodine maps, and iodine overlay images can increase the conspicuity of contrast material extravasation and improve the visibility of subtle causes of GI bleeding, thereby increasing diagnostic confidence and assisting with problem solving. GI bleeding can also be diagnosed with routine single-phase DECT scans by constructing VNC images and iodine maps. Radiologists should also be aware of the potential pitfalls and limitations of DECT. ©RSNA, 2023 Quiz questions for this article are available through the Online Learning Center.
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Hemorragia Gastrointestinal , Imagen Radiográfica por Emisión de Doble Fotón , Tomografía Computarizada por Rayos X , Humanos , Hemorragia Gastrointestinal/diagnóstico por imagen , Intestino Delgado , Yodo , Imagen Radiográfica por Emisión de Doble Fotón/métodos , Tomografía Computarizada por Rayos X/métodosRESUMEN
PURPOSE: Peer learning (PL) programs seek to improve upon the limitations of score-based peer review and incorporate modern approaches to improve patient care. The aim of this study was to further understand the landscape of PL among members of the ACR in the first quarter of 2022. METHODS: Members of the ACR were surveyed to evaluate the incidence, current practices, perceptions, and outcomes of PL in radiology practice. The survey was administered via e-mail to 20,850 ACR members. The demographic and practice characteristics of the 1,153 respondents (6%) were similar to those of the ACR radiologist membership and correspond to a normal distribution of the population of radiologists and can therefore be described as representative of that population. Therefore, the error range for the results from this survey is ±2.9% at a 95% confidence level. RESULTS: Among the total sample, 610 respondents (53%) currently use PL, and 334 (29%) do not. Users of PL are younger (mode age ranges, 45-54 years for users and 55-64 years for nonusers; P < .01), more likely to be female (29% vs 23%, P < .05), and more likely to practice in urban settings (52% vs 40%, P = .0002). Users of PL feel that it supports an improved culture of safety and wellness (543 of 610 [89%]) and fosters continuous improvement initiatives (523 of 610 [86%]). Users of PL are more likely than nonusers to identify learning opportunities from routine clinical practice (83% vs 50%, P < .00001), engage in programming inclusive of more team members, and implement more practice improvement projects (P < .00001). PL users' net promoter score of 65% strongly suggests that users of PL are highly likely to recommend the program to colleagues. CONCLUSIONS: Radiologists across a breadth of radiology practices are engaged in PL activities, which are perceived to align with emerging principles of improving health care and enhance culture, quality, and engagement.
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Radiología , Femenino , Humanos , Persona de Mediana Edad , Masculino , Radiólogos , Radiografía , Encuestas y Cuestionarios , Revisión por ParesRESUMEN
BACKGROUND. A major cause of burnout is moral distress: when one knows the right course of action but institutional constraints make the right course impossible to pursue. OBJECTIVE. The purpose of this study was to assess the frequency and severity with which radiologists experience moral distress and to explore moral distress's root causes and countermeasures. METHODS. This study entailed a national survey that evaluated moral distress in radiology. The survey incorporated the validated Moral Distress Scale for Health Care Professionals, along with additional questions. After the scale was modified for applicability to radiology, respondents were asked to assess 16 clinical scenarios in terms of frequency and severity of moral distress. On May 10, 2022, the survey was sent by e-mail to 425 members of radiology practices included on a national radiology society's quality-and-safety LISTSERV. The Measure of Moral Distress for Health Care Professionals (MMD-HP) score was calculated for each respondent as a summary measure of distress across scenarios (maximum possible score, 256). RESULTS. After 12 surveys with incomplete data were excluded, the final analysis included 93 of 425 respondents (22%). A total of 91 of 93 respondents (98%) experienced at least some moral distress for at least one scenario. A total of 17 of 93 respondents (18%) had left a clinical position due to moral distress; 26 of 93 (28%) had considered leaving a clinical position due to moral distress but did not leave. The mean MMD-HP score was 73 ± 51 (SD) for those who had left, 89 ± 47 for those who had considered leaving but did not leave, and 39 ± 35 for those who had never considered leaving (p < .001). A total of 41 of 85 respondents (48%) thought that the COVID-19 pandemic had influenced their moral distress level. Across respondents, the three scenarios with highest moral distress were related to systemic causes (higher case volume than could be read safely, high case volume preventing teaching residents, and lack of administrative action or support). The countermeasure most commonly selected to alleviate moral distress was educating leadership about sources of moral distress (71%). CONCLUSION. Moral distress is prevalent in radiology, typically relates to systemic causes, and is a reported contributor to radiologists changing jobs. CLINICAL IMPACT. Urgent action by radiology practice leadership is required to address moral distress, as radiologists commonly practice in environments contradictory to their core values as physicians.