Assessing the impact of structured reporting on learning how to report lung cancer staging CT: A triple cohort study on inexperienced readers.

PURPOSE: To assess the clinical utility of chest computed tomography (CT) reports for non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) staging generated by inexperienced readers using structured reporting (SR) templates from the Royal College of Radiologists (RCR-SR) and the Italian Society of Medical and Interventional Radiology (SIRM-SR), compared to traditional non-systematic reports (NSR). METHODS: In a cohort of 30 NSCLC patients, six third-year radiology residents reported CT examinations in two 2-month-apart separate sessions using NSR in the first and NSR, RCR-SR, or SIRM-SR in the second. Couples of expert radiologists and thoracic oncologists in consensus evaluated completeness, accuracy, and clarity. All the quality indicators were expressed on a 100-point scale. The Wilcoxon signed ranks, and Wilcoxon-Mann Whitney tests were used for statistical analyses. RESULTS: Results showed significantly higher completeness for RCR-SR (90 %) and SIRM-SR (100 %) compared to NSR (70 %) in the second session (all p < 0.001). SIRM-SR demonstrated superior accuracy (70 % vs. 55 %, p < 0.001) over NSR, while RCR-SR and NSR accuracy did not significantly differ (60 % vs. 62.5 %, p = 0.06). In the second session, RCR-SR and SIRM-SR surpassed NSR in completeness, accuracy, and clarity (all p < 0.001, except p = 0.04 for accuracy between RCR-SR and NSR). SIRM-SR outperformed RCR-SR in completeness (100 % vs. 90 %, p < 0.001) and accuracy (70 % vs. 62.5 %, p = 0.002), with equivalent clarity (90 % for both, p = 0.27). CONCLUSIONS: Inexperienced readers using RCR-SR and SIRM-SR demonstrated high-quality reporting, indicating their potential in radiology residency programs to enhance reporting skills for NSCLC staging and effective interaction with all the physicians involved in managing NSCLC patients.

Structured report for chest high-resolution computed tomography in patients with connective tissue disease: Impact on the report quality as perceived by referring clinicians.

RATIONALE AND OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the impact on perceived report quality of referring rheumatologists for a chest high-resolution computed tomography (HRCT) structured report (SR) template for patients with connective tissue disease (CTD), compared to the traditional narrative report (NR). MATERIALS AND METHODS: We retrospectively considered 123 HRCTs in patients with CTD. Three radiologists, blinded to the original NRs they wrote during clinical routine, re-reported each HRCT using an SR dedicated template. We then divided all NR-SR couples into three groups (41 HRCT each). Each group was evaluated by one of three rheumatologists (R1, R2, R3), who expressed their perceived report quality for the respective pools of NRs and SRs in terms of completeness, clarity (both on a 10-points scale), and clinical relevance (on a 5-points scale). The Wilcoxon test and the McNemar test were used for statistical analysis. RESULTS: For each rheumatologist, SR received higher ratings compared to NR for completeness (median ratings: R1, 10 vs. 7; R2, 10 vs. 8; R3, 10 vs. 6, all p < 0.0001), clarity (median ratings: R1, 10 vs. 7; R2, 10 vs. 8; R3, 10 vs. 7, all p < 0.0001), and clinical relevance (median ratings: R1, 5 vs. 4; R2, 5 vs. 4; R3, 5 vs. 1, all p < 0.0001). After rating dichotomization, the use of SR led to a significant increase (p < 0.01) in completeness, clarity, and clinical relevance as compared to NR, except for clarity as perceived by R2 (p = 1). CONCLUSION: Referring rheumatologists' perceived report quality for structured reporting of HRCT in patients with CTD was superior to narrative reporting.

Humoral primary immunodeficiency diseases: clinical overview and chest high-resolution computed tomography (HRCT) features in the adult population.

Humoral primary immunodeficiency diseases (hPIDs) are a heterogeneous group of hereditary disorders resulting in abnormal susceptibility to infections of the sinopulmonary tract. Some of these conditions (e.g., common variable immunodeficiency disorders [CVID]) imply a number of non-infectious thoracic complications such as non-infectious airway disorders, diffuse lung parenchymal diseases, and neoplasms. Chest high-resolution computed tomography (HRCT) is a key imaging tool to characterise and quantify the extent of underlying thoracic involvement, as well as to direct and monitor treatment. The aims of this review are to provide a brief clinical overview of hPIDs and describe the related chest HRCT imaging features in the adult population, with a special focus on CVID and its complications.

Digital breast tomosynthesis as an adjunct to digital mammography for detecting and characterising invasive lobular cancers: a multi-reader study.

AIM: To examine the interpretive performance of digital breast tomosynthesis (DBT) as an adjunct to digital mammography (DM) compared to DM alone in a series of invasive lobular carcinomas (ILCs) and to assess whether DBT can be used to characterise ILC. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective, multi-reader study was conducted of 83 mammographic examinations of women with 107 newly diagnosed ILCs ascertained at histology. Consenting women underwent both DM and DBT acquisitions. Twelve radiologists, with varying mammography experience, interpreted DM images alone, reporting lesion location, mammographic features, and malignancy probability using the Breast Imaging-Reporting and Data System (BI-RADS) categories 1-5; they then reviewed DBT images in addition to DM, and reported the same parameters. Statistical analyses compared sensitivity, false-positive rates (FPR), and interpretive performance using the receiver operating characteristics (ROC) curve and the area under the curve (AUC), for reading with DM versus DM plus DBT. RESULTS: Multi-reader pooled ROC analysis for DM plus DBT yielded AUC=0.89 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.88-0.91), which was significantly higher (p<0.0001) than DM alone with AUC=0.84 (95% CI: 0.82-0.86). DBT plus DM significantly increased pooled sensitivity (85%) compared to DM alone (70%; p<0.0001). FPR did not vary significantly with the addition of DBT to DM. Interpreting with DBT (compared to DM alone) increased the correct identification of ILCs depicted as architectural distortions (84% versus 65%, respectively) or as masses (89% versus 70%), increasing interpretive performance for both experienced and less-experienced readers; larger gains in AUC were shown for less-experienced radiologists. Multifocal and/or multicentric and bilateral disease was more frequently identified on DM with DBT. CONCLUSION: Adding DBT to DM significantly improved the accuracy of mammographic interpretation for ILCs and contributed to characterising disease extent.

Accuracy of visual analysis vs. apparent diffusion coefficient quantification in differentiating solid benign and malignant focal liver lesions with diffusion-weighted imaging.

PURPOSE: The authors compared the accuracy of diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) visual analysis (VA) vs. apparent diffusion coefficient quantification (ADC-Q) in assessing malignancy of solid focal liver lesions (FLLs). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Using a 1.5-T system, two radiologists retrospectively assessed as benign or malignant 50 solid FLLs: (a) by VA of signal intensity on DWI images at b=800 s/mm(2) and ADC map; (b) by quantifying lesion ADC. Reference standard included histology or follow-up confirmation of diagnosis by a consensus panel. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis was performed. RESULTS: because of 20 false-negative hepatocellular carcinomas, VA showed lower accuracy than ADC-Q (52.0% VS. 68.0%). however, stratified accuracy for metastases was higher with VA (75.0 VS. 66%). ADC and signal features of malignant and benign FLLs were found to largely overlap. CONCLUSIONS: VA performed worse than ADC-Q for hepatocellular carcinoma and better for metastases. Overall, the accuracy of both methods was limited because of the overlap in visual appearance and ADC values between solid benign and malignant FLLs.

E-learning in radiology: an Italian multicentre experience.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to design, deliver and evaluate an e-learning teaching programme for post-graduate radiodiagnostics training that would involve various post-graduate schools throughout Italy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: All of the Directors of Italian post-graduate schools of radiodiagnostics were sent an e-mail on 27 September 2010 informing them of our willingness to set up an e-learning project for the academic year 2010-2011 in the form of single-subject teaching seminars. The proposed subjects were the semeiotics of the various organs and apparatuses in the context of "Urgent/Emergency Pathology". After having received registrations, a calendar of lessons was planned to be held between 10 November 2010 and 12 October 2011. The validity of the project was tested by means of a multiple-choice questionnaire covering the technical and didactic quality of the entire project, to be completed by the students. RESULTS: Fifty-one percent of the universities in Italy participated in the project: Trieste, Udine, Verona, Milan-Bicocca, Novara, Varese, Genoa, Sassari, Rome Campus, the Catholic University of Rome, Chieti, Foggia, Catania, Modena, Florence, Palermo, Bologna, Pavia, Parma and Ferrara. The lessons were attended by a total of 10,261 post-graduate medical students, for an average of 513.1 students per lesson. Seventy percent of the students judged the didactic content "excellent", 25% "good", and 5% "satisfactory"; none said it was unsatisfactory. In terms of visual quality (particularly the details of the radiological images proposed in the form of slides and/or video clips), 73% judged it "excellent", 20% "good", 6% "satisfactory", and 1% "poor". The audio quality was judged "excellent" by 71%, "good" by 22%, "satisfactory" by 6% and "poor" by 1%. In relation to judgement of audio and video quality, it has to be underlined that this was greatly affected by the hardware/software configuration and the band speed and technology of the Internet connection. CONCLUSIONS: Technological evolution is overcoming all barriers, and technology is also having a positive impact on the approach to teaching. Our multicentre teaching experience merits the following considerations: the quality of the teaching product was certified by the students' judgements of its didactic content and the quality of reception; the economic cost of the teaching had a minimal impact on the post-graduate schools (€ 18 per lesson). In terms of breaking down national barriers, it is to be hoped that the coordination and integration of diagnostic imaging e-learning projects, with the participation of post-graduate schools in different European countries, can be developed not only in a spirit of "cultural sharing" and the exchange of teaching experiences.

Degree of bile-duct dilatation in liver-transplanted patients with biliary stricture: a magnetic resonance cholangiography-based study.

PURPOSE: This study assessed whether the degree of bile-duct dilatation in liver-transplanted patients is correlated with the time from intervention and the type of underlying biliary stricture. METHODS AND MATERIALS: Fifty-seven 3D magnetic resonance cholangiograms (MRCs) performed on 42 liver-transplanted patients were retrospectively evaluated. Diameter was measured at the level of the extrahepatic bile duct (EBD), right hepatic duct (RHD), left hepatic duct (LHD), anterior and posterior right hepatic ducts (aRHD, pRHD) and left lateral and medial ducts (LLD, LMD). Data were stratified according to the type of biliary stricture (all types, anastomotic, ischaemic-like, mixed) and compared, on a per-examination basis: (a) between two groups based on time from transplantation using a 1-year threshold (nonlongitudinal analysis); (b) among 26 repeated examinations on 11 patients (longitudinal analysis); (c) among different stricture groups. RESULTS: The biliary tree was slightly dilated within 1 year from transplantation (2.9±1.3 to 6.1±3.2 mm). In general, nonlongitudinal analysis showed minimally larger duct size after 1 year (mean +1.4±0.5 mm) despite significant differences at most sites of measurement considering all types of strictures (p<0.01; Mann-Whitney U test). Longitudinal analysis showed diameter increase over time, although without statistically significant differences (p>0.01; Kruskal-Wallis test). No significant difference in bile-duct size was observed when comparing types of stricture (p>0.01; Kruskal-Wallis test). CONCLUSIONS: Biliary dilatation after liver transplantation is mild and develops slowly regardless of the underlying type of stricture, possibly in relation to graft properties. MRC has a potential role as first-line imaging modality for a reliable assessment of biliary dilatation and the presence of a stricture.

White-matter abnormalities in the right posterior hemisphere in generalized anxiety disorder: a diffusion imaging study.

BACKGROUND: Prior imaging studies have shown structural, functional and biochemical impairments in patients with generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), particularly in the right hemisphere. In this study we investigated, for the first time to the best of our knowledge, the white-matter microstructure organization in GAD. METHOD: A total of 12 patients with DSM-IV GAD and 15 matched healthy controls underwent a magnetic resonance imaging session of diffusion weighted imaging, exploring white-matter water molecules by the means of apparent diffusion coefficients (ADCs). Regions of interests were placed in the frontal, parietal, temporal and occipital lobes and in the splenium and genu of the corpus callosum, bilaterally. RESULTS: ADC measures were significantly greater in patients with GAD in the right splenium and right parietal cortex compared with healthy controls (p⩽0.002). No significant correlations between ADCs and age or clinical variables were found. CONCLUSIONS: We provide evidence that GAD is associated with disrupted white-matter coherence of posterior right hemisphere regions, which may partly sustain the impaired cognitive regulation of anxiety. Future diffusion imaging investigations are expected to better elucidate the communication between the parietal cortex and other right hemisphere regions in sustaining the cognitive processing of social and emotional stimuli in patients with GAD.

Impact of magnetic resonance cholangiography in managing liver-transplanted patients: preliminary results of a clinical decision-making study.

PURPOSE: This study was performed to assess the role of magnetic resonance cholangiography (MRC) in the clinical decision-making process of referring physicians when managing liver-transplanted patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Over a 6-month period, 21 liver-transplanted patients with a suspected biliary complication were referred for MRC. Referring physicians were asked to prospectively state, before and after MRC, the leading diagnosis; the level of confidence (on a 0-100% scale); the most appropriate diagnostic/therapeutic plan. Data analysis assessed was the diagnostic yield of MRC; the proportion of change in the leading diagnosis; the therapeutic efficacy (i.e. proportion of change in the initial diagnostic/therapeutic plan); the diagnostic thinking efficacy (i.e., gain in diagnostic confidence). Statistical significance was assessed with the Mann-Whitney U test. MRC accuracy was also calculated. RESULTS: Data analysis showed a diagnostic yield of 85.7%; a proportion of change in leading diagnosis of 19.0%; a therapeutic efficacy of 42.8%; a diagnostic thinking efficacy for concordant and discordant leading diagnoses of 18.8% and 78.7%, respectively (p<0.01). MRC accuracy was 92.3%. CONCLUSIONS: MRC significantly increased the diagnostic confidence, irrespective of the concordance between pre- and posttest diagnoses. Moreover, MRC determined a change in patient management in a significant proportion of cases, leading to clinical benefits.

E-learning in radiology: Italian multicentre experience.

PURPOSE: The aim of our work was to design, implement and evaluate an e-learning programme in favour of trainee radiologists enrolled at the many specialty schools located throughout Italy, in the spirit of "sharing culture". MATERIALS AND METHODS: Once a common educational programme and time slot had been identified and planned, the programme was delivered via Internet-based video conferencing once a week for 2-h lectures. Each lecture was followed by interaction between the teaching staff and trainees at the individual sites. The universities involved were Trieste, Udine, Verona, Milano Bicocca, Novara, Varese, Genova, Sassari, Rome "Campus", Rome "Cattolica", Chieti, Foggia, Catania, Modena and Firenze. The University of Rome "Cattolica" participated in the project with two locations: Rome "Policlinico Gemelli" and Rome "Cattolica Campus of Campobasso". RESULTS: Eighteen lectures were conducted, for a total of 36 h. "Transient" connection interruption occurred 13 times for a total of 33 min over 2,160 min of lessons. Video quality and, in particular, details of radiological images shown in slides or moving pictures, were rated as very good by 71% of trainees, good by 24% and satisfactory by 4.5%; no one gave a rating of unsatisfactory. CONCLUSIONS: Based on our experience, whereas e-learning in radiology has become established and compulsory, there is the need for legislation that on the one hand protects online teaching activity and on the other allows study and continuing medical education (CME) credits to be recognised.

The wide spectrum of hyperechoic lesions of the breast.

Although breast lesions are commonly detected because of their hypoechogenicity, some lesions may present with hyperechogenicity due to their histological components. Hyperechogenicity has been shown to be highly predictive of benignity; however, hyperechoic lesions can occasionally be malignant. This article reviews hyperechoic lesions of the breast, describes the underlying histological causes associated with hyperechogenicity, and the sonographic features useful for the differential diagnosis between benign and malignant hyperechoic lesions.

Chest multidetector computed tomography (MDCT) in patients with suspected acute pulmonary embolism: diagnostic yield and proportion of other clinically relevant findings.

PURPOSE: The authors evaluated the diagnostic yield of chest multidetector computed tomography (MDCT) in acute pulmonary embolism (PE) and the proportion of other clinically relevant findings in a large cohort of consecutive inpatients and patients referred from the emergency department (outpatients). MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 327 radiological reports of chest MDCT scans performed for suspected acute PE in 327 patients (158 men, 169 women; mean age 69 years, standard deviation 17.33 years; 233 inpatients, 94 outpatients) were retrospectively evaluated and classified into four categories: 1, positive for PE; 2, negative for PE but positive for other findings requiring specific and immediate intervention; 3, completely negative or positive for findings with a potential for significant morbidity requiring specific action on follow-up; 4, indeterminate. The distribution of findings by categories among the entire population and inpatients and outpatients separately was calculated (chi-square test, α=0.05). RESULTS: In the entire population, the diagnostic yield (i.e. proportion of cases classified as category 1) was 20.2% (66/327). Proportions of cases classified as categories 2, 3 and 4 were 27.5% (90/327), 44.3% (145/327) and 7.9% (26/327), respectively. No statistically significant difference was found between inpatients and outpatients (p=0.193). CONCLUSIONS: In patients with suspected acute PE, chest MDCT provides evidence of conditions requiring immediate and specific intervention (i.e. categories 1 and 2) in nearly 50% of cases, without differences between inpatients and outpatients.

Post-cholecystectomy syndrome: spectrum of biliary findings at magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography.

Post-cholecystectomy syndrome (PCS) is defined as a complex of heterogeneous symptoms, consisting of upper abdominal pain and dyspepsia, which recur and/or persist after cholecystectomy. Nevertheless, this term is inaccurate, as it encompasses biliary and non-biliary disorders, possibly unrelated to cholecystectomy. Biliary manifestations of PCS may occur early in the post-operative period, usually because of incomplete surgery (retained calculi in the cystic duct remnant or in the common bile duct) or operative complications, such as bile duct injury and/or bile leakage. A later onset is commonly caused by inflammatory scarring strictures involving the sphincter of Oddi or the common bile duct, recurrent calculi or biliary dyskinesia. The traditional imaging approach for PCS has involved ultrasound and/or CT followed by direct cholangiography, whereas manometry of the sphincter of Oddi and biliary scintigraphy have been reserved for cases of biliary dyskinesia. Because of its capability to provide non-invasive high-quality visualisation of the biliary tract, magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography (MRCP) has been advocated as a reliable imaging tool for assessing patients with suspected PCS and for guiding management decisions. This paper illustrates the rationale for using MRCP, together with the main MRCP biliary findings and diagnostic pitfalls.

An unusual breast lesion: the ultrasonographic, mammographic, MRI and nuclear medicine findings of mammary hibernoma.

We report the case of a 42-year-old woman being treated for an ovarian cancer who was diagnosed at the age of 40. A CT-positron emission tomography (PET) scan performed as follow-up documented abnormal uptake in the right breast. Mammograms were negative for malignancy, while a focal hyperechoic lesion was observed on ultrasonography in the same breast. Thus, she was referred to our institution for breast MRI, which showed a focal area of enhancement with atypical features. Percutaneous biopsy was performed, and a mammary hibernoma was diagnosed. Radiological and pathological correlation was provided. To our knowledge, this is the only report that describes the features of this rare tumour on four different imaging modalities (mammography, ultrasonography, MRI and CT-PET).

Impact of clinical data on chest radiography sensitivity in detecting pulmonary abnormalities in immunocompromised patients with suspected pneumonia.

PURPOSE: Chest radiography (CXR) of immunocompromised patients has low sensitivity in the early evaluation of pulmonary abnormalities suspected to be infectious. The purpose of the study was to evaluate whether the knowledge of clinical data improves the diagnostic sensitivity of CXR in the particular setting of immunocompromised patients after hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Sixty-four CXRs of immunocompromised patients with clinically suspected pneumonia were retrospectively and independently evaluated by two radiologists to assess the presence of radiological signs of pneumonia, before (first reading) and after (second reading) the knowledge of clinical data. A chest computed tomography (CT) performed within 3 days was assumed as the standard of reference. For each reading, sensitivity of both radiologists was calculated. RESULTS: Readers showed a sensitivity of 39% and 58.5% for the first reading, and 43.9% and 41.5% for the second reading, respectively. For both readers, these values were not significantly different from those obtained at first reading (McNemar's test, p>0.05). Interobserver agreement at second reading was fair (Cohen test, k=0.33). CONCLUSIONS: The sensitivity of CXR is too low to consider it a stand-alone technique for the evaluation of immunocompromised patients after HSCT with suspected pneumonia, even if the radiologist knows detailed clinical data. For these patients, an early chest CT evaluation is therefore recommended.

Indications for breast magnetic resonance imaging. Consensus document "Attualità in senologia", Florence 2007.

The clinical use of breast magnetic resonance (MR) imaging is increasing, especially for applications requiring paramagnetic contrast-agent injection. This document presents a synthetic list of acceptable indications with potential advantages for women according to evidence from the literature and the expert opinion of the panel that developed this statement. We generally recommend that breast MR imaging be performed in centres with experience in conventional breast imaging [mammography and ultrasonography (US)] and needle-biopsy procedures (under stereotactic or US guidance) as well as in breast MR imaging and second-look US for findings not revealed by conventional imaging performed before MR imaging. In our opinion, there is no evidence in favour of breast MR imaging as a diagnostic tool to characterise equivocal findings at conventional imaging when needle-biopsy procedures can be performed, nor for the study of asymptomatic, non-high-risk women with negative conventional imaging. After a description of technical and methodological requirements, we define the indications and limitations of breast MR imaging for surveillance of high-risk women, local staging before surgery, evaluation of the effect of neoadjuvant chemotherapy, breast previously treated for carcinoma, carcinoma of unknown primary syndrome, nipple discharge and breast implants.

Invasive cerebral aspergillosis in an immunocompetent patient. A case report.

Although the central nervous system is a common site of dissemination in immunocompromised patients with invasive aspergillosis, it is a very rare site of primary infection in immunocompetent patients. We describe the case of a 53-year-old man, without any identified factor risk for aspergillosis, who developed brain aspergillosis abscesses after streptococcal pneumonia. Computed tomography, magnetic resonance and diffusion weighted imaging findings of cerebral lesions are reported.

Rare breast neoplasms: is there any peculiar feature on magnetic resonance mammography?

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study is to describe the semiological features of rare breast neoplasms at magnetic resonance mammography (MRM). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Out of 468 MRMs of patients with a histological diagnosis of breast malignancy, 27 (5.7%) cases of rare breast neoplasms, confirmed by definitive histological analysis on surgical specimens, were selected: four (0.9%) intracystic papillary neoplasms, four (0.9%) intraductal papillary neoplasms, five (1.0%) invasive papillary neoplasms, two (0.4%) medullary carcinomas, seven (1.5%) mucinous carcinomas, three (0.6%) tubular carcinomas, one (0.2%) tubulo-lobular carcinoma and one (0.2%) desmoid tumour. Two radiologists evaluated the MRM images according to Fischer criteria and indicated a level of diagnostic suspicion. In particular, MRM lesion morphology and enhancement characteristics were analysed. RESULTS: No semiologic features of malignancy or peculiar appearances indicating rare breast neoplasm were identified. On the contrary, MRM appearance was nonspecific and often suggestive of probably benign (Breast Imaging Reporting and Data System-BI-RADS 3) (40%) or benign lesions (BI-RADS 2) (7.5%), or lesions were undetectable at MRM (BI-RADS 1) (7.5%). CONCLUSIONS: Frequently, rare breast neoplasms show low suspicious morphologic and kinetic patterns at MRM, and they are often classified as indeterminate lesions. This is probably due to their high grade of differentiation and their histological features.