3D Visual Guide to Lines and Stripes in Chest Radiography.

Chest radiography continues to be the first-line imaging modality for evaluation of the chest. Interpretation is based on the understanding of complex three-dimensional (3D) structural relationships, which are translated into a two-dimensional (2D) plane. These 2D projections form multiple "lines and stripes" on chest radiographs, representing the interfaces between the pulmonary parenchyma, pleura, and normal mediastinal structures. Given the subtlety of overlying tissue and the need to mentally synthesize planar images into three dimensions, structural relationships may be difficult to appreciate. An understanding of these relationships forms the basis of recognizing pathologic conditions and providing an accurate differential diagnosis, which can assist in targeted appropriate further workup. On a 2D radiograph, this means recognizing the normal lines and stripes as well as their appearance when effaced or displaced. Once this abnormality is identified, a focused differential diagnosis can be generated, which can be further narrowed on the basis of other factors, such as patient history or ancillary findings. Three-dimensional cinematic rendering is an innovative tool that can help radiologists grasp these anatomic relationships and discern subtle findings at radiography. This technique allows improved visualization of structures such as the pleura that are difficult to appreciate with traditional imaging modalities. The authors provide an updated review of lines and stripes on chest radiographs, using 3D cinematic rendering as a teaching tool. ©RSNA, 2023 Quiz questions for this article are available in the supplemental material.

Scholarly Activities and Indices Among Academic Endovascular Specialists: A Comparative Analysis Between Interventional Radiologists and Vascular Surgeons.

PURPOSE: To report scholarly metrics amongst academic endovascular specialists. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Faculty pages identified interventional radiologists and vascular surgeons at academic institutions. Members were classified as assistant, associate, or full professors. Scopus was used to extract publication and citation records. Data extracted included: number of publications, number of citations, h-index, i-10 index, hc-index, m-quotient, e-index, and g-index. RESULTS: Two hundred seventy six interventional radiologists and 266 vascular surgeons were included. Mean publications for interventional radiology assistant, associate, and full professors were 17.81, 48.77, and 131.65 and the citation counts were 311.45, 1051.08, and 3981.71, respectively. Mean publications for vascular surgeon assistant, associate, and full professors were 24.00, 48.7, and 161.37 and the citation counts were 414.33, 1147.89, and 5747.00, respectively. Multivariable proportional odds model for interventional radiologists showed a positive correlation between the academic rank and publication count (c = 0.028), h-index (c = 0.090), i10-index (c = 0.014), hc-index (c = 0.052), e-index (c = 0.016), and g-index (0.037). There was a negative correlation between m-quotient (c = -1.745) and citations (c = -0.001) and academic rank. Multivariable proportional odds model for vascular surgeons showed a positive correlation between the academic rank and publication count (c = 0.037) and g-index (c = 0.083). There was a negative correlation between m-quotient (c = -2.232) and hc-index (c = -0.065) and academic rank. CONCLUSION: Citation count and h-index are positively correlated while m-quotient is negatively correlated with academic performance for endovascular specialists.

Prevalence of Musculoskeletal Symptoms in Interventional Radiologists.

PURPOSE: To investigate the prevalence of musculoskeletal symptoms, defined as aches, pains, discomfort, or numbness, by using a validated assessment tool among interventional radiologists. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A Web-based survey using the Nordic Musculoskeletal Questionnaire was disseminated to interventional radiologist members by email in November 2015. Musculoskeletal symptoms were evaluated in 9 body areas. Information regarding participant demographics, practice details, use of radio-protective equipment, and exercise routines was also gathered. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed to determine risk factors associated with more severe symptoms. RESULTS: Of 4,096 SIR members at the time of the survey, 640 completed the questionnaire in its entirety (16% response rate). Respondents consisted of 69 females (11%) and 571 males (89%), with a mean age of 47.5 ± 10.2 years old, a mean body mass index of 25.5 ± 3.9 kg/m2, and a mean practice length of 17.1 ± 9.8 years. Prevalence of musculoskeletal symptoms was 88% in the 12 months preceding the survey. For those reporting musculoskeletal issues, 58% attributed the symptoms to work-related activities. Lower back (61%), neck (56%), and shoulder complaints (46%) were the most common. Symptoms prevented 21.2% of respondents from being able to work over the same time period. Multivariate analysis identified female gender, above-normal body mass index, and a practice length of 10 years or more as factors associated with a higher risk of moderate-to-severe symptoms. CONCLUSIONS: Musculoskeletal symptoms are prevalent among interventional radiologists, the majority of which are attributed to work-related causes.

Characterization of Iodide-induced Sialadenitis: Meta-analysis of the Published Case Reports in the Medical Literature.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the patient presentation of postcontrast sialadenitis and factors associated with its duration of symptoms through meta-analysis of case reports. BACKGROUND: Acute iodide sialadenitis, or "iodide mumps," is a rare adverse reaction to iodinated contrast causing salivary gland swelling. The condition may be underdiagnosed, with researchers postulating that its true incidence may be close to 1-2%. METHODS AND MATERIALS: This study was a meta-analysis performed using PRISMA Reporting Standards. A literature search with no language restriction was performed of the Medline database, primarily through PubMed, using keywords: "iodide mumps," "iodide sialadenitis," "sialadenitis," "salivary enlargement," "contrast reaction," "parotid swelling," and "submandibular swelling." Matching case reports and case series were reviewed, and data regarding the subjects' demographics, renal function, contrast administration, and symptoms were extracted. Uni- and multivariate linear regression analyses were applied to assess the predicting factors of a prolonged symptoms duration. RESULTS: Sixty-five case reports and case series were identified, with 77 cases of iodide-induced sialadenitis. Two cases were unpublished and from the author's institution. Reported subjects' median age was 63 years, and 61% (47/77) were males. Median time to onset was 16 hours, and symptoms resolved in a median of 3 days after the initial onset. Twenty-seven subjects (35%, 27/77) were reported to have an impaired renal function at baseline. Administration of nonionic, low osmolarity contrast medium was reported most frequently (53%, 41/77). There was no difference in resolution of symptoms among subjects with impaired versus normal renal function. Symptoms were resolved in all cases over a median of 3 days with no statistically significant difference between those who received therapeutic intervention and those who did not (p = 0.430). Older age and longer time to onset were significantly associated with longer duration of symptoms in both uni- and multivariate linear regression models, and presence of tenderness demonstrated statistical significance associated with longer duration of symptoms in the univariate model. CONCLUSION: Postcontrast sialadenitis is a rare reaction to iodinated contrast media. Older age and a longer time to onset of symptoms are associated with longer duration of symptoms.

Collaboration is Key - Bridging the Gap and Building an IR Endoscopy Practice.

While the tools and techniques employed by interventional radiologists on a day-to-day basis translate well to learning the skills required to perform basic endoscopic interventions, collaboration with other specialties is crucial to the success of an interventional radiology endoscopy program. As in any field in medicine, the paramount goal is to improve patient care. Adding the ability to directly visualize structures through an endoscope to certain interventional radiologic procedures may greatly augment the efficacy, safety, and success of interventional radiology procedures. Colleagues in urology, gastroenterology, and surgery should be involved in decision-making and treatment planning to ensure that a shared vision for optimal patient care is achieved.

Aspiration Thrombectomy-Assisted Endovascular Retrieval of an Embolized Angio-Seal Device Causing Claudication.

The Angio-Seal vascular closure device is used to reduce time to hemostasis after femoral artery puncture. Although rare, complications associated with Angio-Seal are significant, including infection, pseudoaneurysm formation, symptomatic femoral artery stenosis, and separation and embolization, leading to limb-threatening ischemia. This report describes Angio-Seal polymer anchor embolization to the tibioperoneal trunk successfully retrieved using the 8-French Indigo Aspiration System.

Does melanoma begin in a melanocyte stem cell?

What is the cellular origin of melanoma? What role do melanocyte stem cells (MSC) and other melanocyte precursors play in the development of melanoma? Are MSCs and other latent melanocyte precursors more susceptible to solar radiation? These and many other questions can be very effectively addressed using the zebrafish model. Zebrafish have a robust regenerative capability, permitting the study of how MSCs are regulated and recruited at specific times and places to generate the pigment pattern following fin amputation or melanocyte ablation. They can be used to determine the effects of environmental radiation on the proliferation, survival, repair, and differentiation of MSCs. Our lab is using zebrafish to investigate how UVA- (320-400 nm) and UVB- (290-320 nm) induced damage to MSCs may contribute to the development of melanoma. A review is given of MSCs in zebrafish as well as experimental techniques and drugs for manipulating MSC populations. These techniques can be used to design experiments to help answer many questions regarding the role of MSCs or melanocyte precursors in the formation of melanoma stem cells and tumors following exposure to UVA/UVB radiation.