Nonepithelial Tumors of the Larynx: Single-Institution 13-Year Review with Radiologic-Pathologic Correlation.

Nonepithelial tumors of the larynx are rare and represent a minority of all laryngeal neoplasms. Imaging has an important role in the diagnosis, treatment planning, and surveillance of these entities. However, unfamiliarity with these neoplasms can cause diagnostic difficulties for radiologists, especially because many of the imaging findings are nonspecific. By using a systematic approach based on clinical history, patient age and gender, lesion location, endoscopic results, and specific imaging findings, the differential diagnosis can often be narrowed. These tumors typically affect the submucosal layer, so if a tumor has an intact mucosa at endoscopy, a nonepithelial neoplasm is the most likely diagnosis. Nonepithelial tumors of the larynx can arise from the laryngeal cartilage or muscle or from the surrounding lymphoid tissue or blood vessels. Consequently, imaging findings typically correspond to the specific cell type from which it originated. Recognizing specific features (eg, metaplastic bone formation, macroscopic fat, or enhancement pattern) can often help narrow the differential diagnosis. In addition, identification of noncircumscribed borders of the lesion and invasion of the adjacent structures is key to diagnosis of a malignant process rather than a benign neoplasm. Understanding the pathologic correlation is fundamental to understanding the radiologic manifestations and is ultimately crucial for differentiation of nonepithelial laryngeal neoplasms. Online supplemental material is available for this article. ©RSNA, 2020.

Comparison of powered drill & manual bone biopsy systems: Does the diagnostic yield justify the cost?

Bone biopsies are traditionally performed using manual drill devices. More recently, powered drill biopsy systems have been developed, ostensibly to improve diagnostic yield. We compare the powered drill biopsy system to traditional manual needle devices on the basis of diagnostic yield, specimen size and material costs. 309 consecutive bone biopsy procedures performed with imaging guidance from a single academic institution were retrospectively reviewed. Specimen diagnostic adequacy, qualitative interpretation of diagnostically inadequate specimens, aggregate specimen volume and material costs were assessed. Econometric analysis was performed to assess the relationship between materials cost and diagnostic yield. Diagnostic yield and average core specimen volume were significantly higher in the powered drill group, with 86% of cases yielding adequate biopsy specimens versus 67% of cases using the manual method. The materials cost associated with the powered drill device was higher than those of any of the manual needle devices with an average difference of $270.19 per case, however, this was offset due to higher diagnostic yield suggesting that the increased diagnostic accuracy achieved by the powered drill does not carry a significant added financial burden. The powered drill bone biopsy system results in a significantly higher yield of diagnostically adequate biopsy specimens compared to traditional manual needles, possibly attributed to larger and more intact obtained core specimen volumes and is more economically viable off-setting the higher cost.

Readability of Spanish-Language Patient Education Materials From RadiologyInfo.org.

PURPOSE: Readability of patient education materials has been linked to health outcomes, and reports on patient education materials in radiology have demonstrated readability levels higher than recommended. Few studies in radiology, however, have assessed patient comprehension of Spanish-language health care educational materials. The purpose of this study was thus to assess the readability of patient education materials written in Spanish from RadiologyInfo.org. METHODS: All patient education materials written in Spanish available in July 2017 from the RadiologyInfo.org patient education library were compiled into a database over a 1-day period. After modification and editing to minimize artificial changes in readability levels, four readability scales were used to assess the texts: the Gilliam-Peña-Mountain scale, the Läsbarhets formula, the rate index formula, and the SOL formula. Readability was compared among scales using analysis of variance, and inter- and intrarater variability was assessed using intraclass correlation coefficients. RESULTS: In total, 134 patient education articles written in Spanish were included from the RadiologyInfo.org patient education library. The mean readability grade level was the 10th grade reading level or higher for all scales (average, 12th grade); only one article was written below the 8th grade level. There was no significant difference in readability level on the basis of readability scale used. CONCLUSIONS: Spanish-language patient educational materials provided at the RadiologyInfo.org website are written at levels too high for the average patient. Future efforts should be made to improve the readability of these patient education materials for English and Spanish speakers alike.