Fat quantification in dual-layer detector spectral CT: How to handle iron overload, varying tube voltage and radiation dose Indices.

OBJECTIVES: Opposed to other spectral CT techniques, fat quantification in dual-layer detector CT (dlCT) has only recently been developed. The impact of concomitant iron overload and dlCT-specific protocol settings such as the dose right index (DRI), a measure of image noise and tube current, on dlCT fat quantification was unclear. Further, spectral information became newly available <120 kV. Therefore, this study's objective was to evaluate the impact of iron, changing tube voltage, and DRI on dlCT fat quantification. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Phantoms with 0 and 8mg/cm3 iron; 0 and 5mg/cm3 iodine; 0, 10, 20, 35, 50, and 100% fat and liver equivalent, respectively, were scanned with a dlCT (CT7500, Philips, the Netherlands) at 100kV/20DRI, 120kV/20DRI, 140kV/20DRI, and at 120kV/16DRI, 120kV/24DRI. Material decomposition was done for fat, liver, and iodine (A1); for fat, liver, and iron (A2); and for fat, liver, and combined reference values of iodine and iron (A3). All scans were analyzed with reference values from 120kV/20DRI. For statistics, the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) and Bland-Altman analyses were used. RESULTS: In phantoms with iron and iodine, results were best for A3 with a mean deviation to phantom fat of 1.3±2.6% (ICC 0.999 [95%-confidence interval 0.996-1]). The standard approach A1 yielded a deviation of -2.5±3.0% (0.998[0.994-0.999]), A2 of 6.1±4.8% (0.991[0.974-0.997]). With A3 and changing tube voltage, the maximal difference between quantified fat and the phantom ground truth occurred at 100kV with 4.6±2.1%. Differences between scans were largest between 100kV and 140kV (2.0%[-7.1-11.2]). The maximal difference of changing DRI occurred between 16 and 24 DRI with 0.4%[-2.2-3.0]. CONCLUSION: For dlCT fat quantification in the presence of iron, material decomposition with combined reference values for iodine and iron delivers the most accurate results. Tube voltage-specific calibration of reference values is advisable while the impact of the DRI on dlCT fat quantification is neglectable.

Dual-Energy CT muscle fat fraction as a new imaging biomarker of body composition and survival predictor in critically ill patients.

OBJECTIVE: To analyze changes in the muscular fat fraction (FF) during immobilization at the intensive care unit (ICU) using dual-energy CT (DECT) and evaluate the predictive value of the DECT FF as a new imaging biomarker for morbidity and survival. METHODS: Immobilized ICU patients (n = 81, 43.2% female, 60.3 ± 12.7 years) were included, who received two dual-source DECT scans (CT1, CT2) within a minimum interval of 10 days between 11/2019 and 09/2022. The DECT FF was quantified for the posterior paraspinal muscle by two radiologists using material decomposition. The skeletal muscle index (SMI), muscle radiodensity attenuation (MRA), subcutaneous-/ visceral adipose tissue area (SAT, VAT), and waist circumference (WC) were assessed. Reasons for ICU admission, clinical scoring systems, therapeutic regimes, and in-hospital mortality were noted. Linear mixed models, Cox regression, and intraclass correlation coefficients were employed. RESULTS: Between CT1 and CT2 (median 21 days), the DECT FF increased (from 20.9% ± 12.0 to 27.0% ± 12.0, p = 0.001). The SMI decreased (35.7 cm2/m2 ± 8.8 to 31.1 cm2/m2 ± 7.6, p < 0.001) as did the MRA (29 HU ± 10 to 26 HU ± 11, p = 0.009). WC, SAT, and VAT did not change. In-hospital mortality was 61.5%. In multivariable analyses, only the change in DECT FF was associated with in-hospital mortality (hazard ratio (HR) 9.20 [1.78-47.71], p = 0.008), renal replacement therapy (HR 48.67 [9.18-258.09], p < 0.001), and tracheotomy at ICU (HR 37.22 [5.66-245.02], p < 0.001). Inter-observer reproducibility of DECT FF measurements was excellent (CT1: 0.98 [0.97; 0.99], CT2: 0.99 [0.96-0.99]). CONCLUSION: The DECT FF appears to be suitable for detecting increasing myosteatosis. It seems to have predictive value as a new imaging biomarker for ICU patients. CLINICAL RELEVANCE STATEMENT: The dual-energy CT muscular fat fraction appears to be a robust imaging biomarker to detect and monitor myosteatosis. It has potential for prognosticating, risk stratifying, and thereby guiding therapeutic nutritional regimes and physiotherapy in critically ill patients. KEY POINTS: The dual-energy CT muscular fat fraction detects increasing myosteatosis caused by immobilization. Change in dual-energy CT muscular fat fraction was a predictor of  in-hospital morbidity and mortality. Dual-energy CT muscular fat fraction had a predictive value superior to established CT body composition parameters.

Influencing factors on the time to CT in suspected pulmonary embolism: an explorative investigation.

Pulmonary embolism is a potentially fatal condition with increased mortality if anticoagulation is delayed. This study aimed to find influencing factors on the duration from requesting a computed tomography (CT) pulmonary angiography (CTPA) to performing a CTPA in suspected acute pulmonary embolism. In 1849 cases, automatically generated time data were extracted from the radiological information system. The impact of the distance to the scanner, case-related features (sector of patient care, triage), and workload (demand for CTs, performed CTs, available staff, hospital occupancy) were investigated retrospectively using multiple regression. The time to CTPA was shorter in cases from the emergency room (ER) than in inpatients and outpatients at distances below 160 m and 240 m, respectively. While requests from the ER were also performed faster than cases from regular wards (< 180 m), no difference was found between the ER and intensive care units. Compared to "not urgent" cases, the workflow was shorter in "urgent" (- 17%) and "life-threatening" (- 67%) situations. The process was prolonged with increasing demand (+ 5%/10 CTs). The presented analysis identified relevant in-hospital influences on the CTPA workflow, including the distance to the CT together with the sector of patient care, the case triage, and the demand for imaging.

Asymmetry of thalamic hypometabolism on FDG-PET/CT in neurofibromatosis type 1: Association with peripheral tumor burden.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Thalamic hypometabolism is a consistent finding in brain PET with F-18 fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) in patients with neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1). However, the pathophysiology of this metabolic alteration is unknown. We hypothesized that it might be secondary to disturbance of peripheral input to the thalamus by NF1-characteristic peripheral nerve sheath tumors (PNSTs). To test this hypothesis, we investigated the relationship between thalamic FDG uptake and the number, volume, and localization of PNSTs. METHODS: This retrospective study included 22 adult NF1 patients (41% women, 36.2 ± 13.0 years) referred to whole-body FDG-PET/contrast-enhanced CT for suspected malignant transformation of PNSTs and 22 sex- and age-matched controls. Brain FDG uptake was scaled voxelwise to the individual median uptake in cerebellar gray matter. Bilateral mean and left-right asymmetry of thalamic FDG uptake were determined using a left-right symmetric anatomical thalamus mask. PNSTs were manually segmented in contrast-enhanced CT. RESULTS: Thalamic FDG uptake was reduced in NF1 patients by 2.0 standard deviations (p < .0005) compared to controls. Left-right asymmetry was increased by 1.3 standard deviations (p = .013). Thalamic hypometabolism was higher in NF1 patients with ≥3 PNSTs than in patients with ≤2 PNSTs (2.6 vs. 1.6 standard deviations, p = .032). The impact of the occurrence of paraspinal/paravertebral PNSTs and of the mean PNST volume on thalamic FDG uptake did not reach statistical significance (p = .098 and p = .189). Left-right asymmetry of thalamic FDG uptake was not associated with left-right asymmetry of PNST burden (p = .658). CONCLUSIONS: This study provides first evidence of left-right asymmetry of thalamic hypometabolism in NF1 and that it might be mediated by NF1-associated peripheral tumors.

Long-term cardiotoxicity in germ cell cancer survivors after platinum-based chemotherapy: cardiac MR shows impaired systolic function and tissue alterations.

OBJECTIVES: Long-term toxicities of germ cell cancer (GCC) treatment are of particular importance in young men with a life expectancy of several decades after curative treatment. This study aimed to investigate the long-term effects of platinum-based chemotherapy on cardiac function and myocardial tissue in GCC survivors by cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) imaging. METHODS: Asymptomatic GCC survivors ≥ 3 years after platinum-based chemotherapy and age-matched healthy controls underwent CMR assessment, including left ventricular (LV) and right ventricular (RV) ejection fraction (EF), strain analysis, late gadolinium enhancement (LGE) imaging, and T1/T2 mapping. RESULTS: Forty-four survivors (age 44 [interquartile range, IQR 37-52] years; follow-up time 10 [IQR 5-15] years after chemotherapy) and 21 controls were evaluated. LV- and RVEF were lower in GCC survivors compared to controls (LVEF 56 ± 5% vs. 59 ± 5%, p = 0.017; RVEF 50 ± 7% vs. 55 ± 7%, p = 0.008). Seven percent (3/44) of survivors showed reduced LVEF (< 50%), and 41% (18/44) showed borderline LVEF (50-54%). The strain analysis revealed significantly reduced deformation compared to controls (LV global longitudinal strain [GLS] -13 ± 2% vs. -15 ± 1%, p < 0.001; RV GLS -15 ± 4% vs. -19 ± 4%, p = 0.005). Tissue characterization revealed focal myocardial fibrosis in 9 survivors (20%) and lower myocardial native T1 times in survivors compared to controls (1202 ± 25 ms vs. 1226 ± 37 ms, p = 0.016). Attenuated LVEF was observed after two cycles of platinum-based chemotherapy (54 ± 5% vs. 62 ± 5%, p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Based on CMR evaluation, combination chemotherapy with cumulative cisplatin ≥ 200 mg/m2 is associated with attenuated biventricular systolic function and myocardial tissue alterations in asymptomatic long-term GCC survivors. CLINICAL RELEVANCE STATEMENT: Platinum-based chemotherapy is associated with decreased systolic function, non-ischemic focal myocardial scar, and decreased T1 times in asymptomatic long-term germ cell cancer survivors. Clinicians should be particularly aware of the risk of cardiac toxicity after platinum-based chemotherapy. KEY POINTS: • Platinum-based chemotherapy is associated with attenuation of biventricular systolic function, lower myocardial T1 relaxation times, and non-ischemic late gadolinium enhancement. • Decreased systolic function and non-ischemic late gadolinium enhancement are associated with a cumulative cisplatin dose of  ≥ 200 mg/m2. • Cardiac MRI can help to identify chemotherapy-associated changes in cardiac function and tissue in asymptomatic long-term germ cell cancer survivors.

Muscle quality, not quantity, is associated with outcome after colorectal cancer surgery.

INTRODUCTION: Emerging evidence suggests that deconditioned patients benefit most from prehabilitation before colorectal cancer surgery. So far, selecting patients with poor muscle status and high perioperative risk remains challenging. Therefore, this study evaluates the potential of the CT-derived Skeletal Muscle Index (SMI), representing muscle mass, and of the Muscle Radiation Attenuation (MRA), a measure of muscle quality, for risk stratification in colorectal cancer patients. METHODS: In this retrospective, single-center observational study, 207 patients with resection of colorectal adenocarcinoma between January 2016 and December 2020 were included. The Charlson comorbidity index (CCI), postoperative complications, length of hospital stay, and survival were recorded. Data were analyzed using multivariable linear, logistic, and Cox proportional hazards regression models adjusted for age, sex, BMI, CCI, neoadjuvant therapy, tumor stage, and surgery type. RESULTS: An increase of the MRA was associated with fewer postoperative complications (anastomotic leakage and pneumonia) and lesser severity according to the Clavien-Dindo classification, shorter hospital stays, and prolonged survival (Hazard ratio: 0.63 [95%CI: 0.49-0.81], p < 0.001). No relevant associations were found between the SMI and postoperative complications, length of hospital stay, or survival. CONCLUSION: The easy-to-raise MRA serves as a more reliable tool than the SMI for identifying high-risk patients with poor muscle status before colorectal surgery. Those patients may benefit most from prehabilitation, which has to be proven in future interventional trials.

[Patient-centered vs. employee-centered radiology : Does this pose a conflict?] / Patienten- vs. mitarbeiterzentrierte Radiologie : Birgt dies einen Konflikt?

BACKGROUND: Patient-centered radiology and employee-centered radiology are being increasingly discussed as an extension of the established structure- and process-oriented management perspective. Concerning potential conflicts, it is unclear if and how these approaches should best be implemented in a radiology department. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this narrative review is to identify and critically correlate underlying characteristics of patient-centered and employee-centered approaches including their similarities, conflicts, and synergies as applicable to the radiological work environment. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Based on a literature search using PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and Google Scholar, the current body of knowledge regarding patient- and employee-centered radiology is presented. RESULTS: Patient- and employee-centered radiology focus on the individual needs of patients and employees, respectively, and promise to improve patient satisfaction, healthcare outcomes, and organizational performance. Conflicts result from an increased organizational complexity and the concurrent utilization of limited resources, such as time, money, and staff. Overall, however, synergies outweigh the potential conflicts. CONCLUSIONS: Successful implementation of patient- and employee-centered approaches in radiology requires a human-centered leadership approach and an overarching strategy with the execution of specific interventions in the processes. We provide specific recommendations to this effect.

[Sustainability and climate protection : Implications on patient-centered care in radiology]. / Nachhaltigkeit und Klimaschutz : Auswirkungen auf die patientenzentrierte Versorgung in der Radiologie.

BACKGROUND: Sustainability and patient-centered radiology (PCR) include a multivariant, complex network of synergic and opportunistic elements. PCR is a subfactor of the social element, climate protection is part of the ecological element, and sustainable economics are part of the financial element. OBJECTIVES: We aimed to identify PCR-symbiotic and PCR-opposed elements of sustainability using literature research. This article will provide an overview of the core sustainability elements and innovative concepts for supporting PCR. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A digital literature search was carried out to identify scientific publications about sustainability and PCR via Medline. Results are provided as a narrative summary. RESULTS: In particular, the social component and parts of the ecological element of sustainability support PCR. Climate protection and a natural environment show a positive correlation with health and patient satisfaction. Patient contact improves the quality of the diagnostic report and promotes satisfaction of patients and radiologists. However, increasing economization is often conditionally compatible with the social core element of sustainability and especially with PCR. Digital tools can ease communication and improve reports in times of increasing workload. CONCLUSION: Socially and environmentally sustainable radiology supports the well-being of both employees and patients. Innovative concepts are necessary to balance the ecological elements of sustainability with employees' and patients' interests.

Sustainability and Climate Protection in Radiology - An Overview. / Nachhaltigkeit und Klimaschutz in der Radiologie ­ Ein Überblick.

BACKGROUND: Sustainability is becoming increasingly important in radiology. Besides climate protection - economic, ecological, and social aspects are integral elements of sustainability. An overview of the scientific background of the sustainability and environmental impact of radiology as well as possibilities for future concepts for more sustainable diagnostic and interventional radiology are presented below.The three elements of sustainability:1. EcologyWith an annually increasing number of tomographic images, Germany is in one of the leading positions worldwide in a per capita comparison. The energy consumption of an MRI system is comparable to 26 four-person households annually. CT and MRI together make a significant contribution to the overall energy consumption of a hospital. In particular, the energy consumption in the idle or inactive state is responsible for a relevant proportion.2. EconomyA critical assessment of the indications for radiological imaging is important not only because of radiation protection, but also in terms of sustainability and "value-based radiology". As part of the "Choosing Wisely" initiative, a total of 600 recommendations for avoiding unnecessary examinations were compiled from various medical societies, including specific indications in radiological diagnostics.3. Social SustainabilityThe alignment of radiology to the needs of patients and referring physicians is a core aspect of the social component of sustainability. Likewise, ensuring employee loyalty by supporting and maintaining motivation, well-being, and job satisfaction is an essential aspect of social sustainability. In addition, sustainable concepts are of relevance in teaching and research, such as the educational curriculum for residents in radiology, RADUCATION or the recommendations of the International Committee of Medical Journal Editors. KEY POINTS: · Sustainability comprises three pillars: economy, ecology and the social component.. · Radiologies have a high optimization potential due to a significant demand of these resources.. · A dialogue between medicine, politics and industry is necessary for a sustainable radiology.. · The discourse, knowledge transfer and public communication of recommendations are part of the sustainability network of the German Roentgen Society (DRG).. CITATION FORMAT: · Palm V, Heye T, Molwitz I et al. Sustainability and Climate Protection in Radiology - An Overview. Fortschr Röntgenstr 2023; 195: 981 - 988.

Muscle quality determined by computed tomography predicts short-term and long-term survival after liver transplantation.

Sarcopenia, the loss of muscle mass and quality, contributes to worse clinical outcome in patients with end-stage liver disease, but its impact on short- and long-term survival remains insufficiently understood. The aim of this study was to evaluate the development of computed tomography (CT) muscle parameters and their impact on short-term and long-term survival after liver transplantation. This retrospective study included patients with liver transplantation between 2011 and 2015 and a pre-transplant CT scan. Clinical characteristics, CT muscle mass and density were assessed pre-transplant, and in available CT scans at short-term (11 months) and long-term follow-up (56 months). Overall, 93/152 (61%) patients (109 male, 55 ± 10 years) suffered from sarcopenia pre-transplant. In short- (n = 50) and long-term follow-up (n = 52) the muscle mass (- 2.65 cm2/m2 95% CI [- 4.52, - 0.77], p = 0.007; - 2.96 cm2/m2 [- 4.7, - 1.23], p = 0.001, respectively), and muscle density (- 3 HU [- 6, - 1], p = 0.007; - 2 HU [- 4, 0], p = 0.069) decreased. Myosteatosis was associated with a higher post-transplant mortality (survival probability: 3 months 72% vs. 95%, 1 year 63% vs. 90%, 5 years 54% vs. 84%, p = 0.001), while muscle mass was not. In conclusion, muscle mass and quality did not improve after transplant. Muscle quality predicts short- and long-term survival and could help to identify a patient's risk profile.

Work expectations, their fulfillment, and exhaustion among radiologists of all career levels: what can be learned from the example of Germany.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate work expectations of radiologists at different career levels, their fulfillment, prevalence of exhaustion, and exhaustion-associated factors. METHODS: A standardized digital questionnaire was distributed internationally to radiologists of all career levels in the hospital and in ambulatory care via radiological societies and sent manually to 4500 radiologists of the largest German hospitals between December 2020 and April 2021. Statistics were based on age- and gender-adjusted regression analyses of respondents working in Germany (510 out of 594 total respondents). RESULTS: The most frequent expectations were "joy at work" (97%) and a "good working atmosphere" (97%), which were considered fulfilled by at least 78%. The expectation of a "structured residency within the regular time interval" (79%) was more frequently judged fulfilled by senior physicians (83%, odds ratio (OR) 4.31 [95% confidence interval (95% CI) 1.95-9.52]), chief physicians (85%, 6.81 [95% CI 1.91-24.29]), and radiologists outside the hospital (88%, 7.59 [95% CI 2.40-24.03]) than by residents (68%). Exhaustion was most common among residents (physical exhaustion: 38%; emotional exhaustion: 36%), in-hospital specialists (29%; 38%), and senior physicians (30%; 29%). In contrast to paid extra hours, unpaid extra hours were associated with physical exhaustion (5-10 extra hours: OR 2.54 [95% CI 1.54-4.19]). Fewer opportunities to shape the work environment were related to a higher probability of physical (2.03 [95% CI 1.32-3.13]) and emotional (2.15 [95% CI 1.39-3.33]) exhaustion. CONCLUSIONS: While most radiologists enjoy their work, residents wish for more training structure. Ensuring payment of extra hours and employee empowerment may help preventing burnout in high-risk groups. KEY POINTS: • Most important work expectations of radiologists who work in Germany are "joy at work," a "good working atmosphere," "support for further qualification," and a "structured residency within the regular time interval," with the latter containing potential for improvement according to residents. • Physical and emotional exhaustion are common at all career levels except for chief physicians and for radiologists who work outside the hospital in ambulatory care. • Exhaustion as a major burnout criterion is associated with unpaid extra hours and reduced opportunities to shape the work environment.

[Routine computed tomography body composition analysis-experience in intensive care patients]. / Routinecomputertomographie zur Analyse der Körperzusammensetzung ­ Erfahrungen bei Intensivpatient:innen.

The assessment of the nutritional status of patients in the intensive care unit is recommended in current guidelines and should include the assessment of muscle status. A suitable method is the analysis of routine computed tomography (CT) scans, which are frequently performed in critically ill patients. With the help of special software, individual CT slices are processed and various parameters such as muscle area, muscle density or even the percentage of adipose tissue are displayed and quantified. It has been shown that cross-sectional acquisition of skeletal muscle in the lumbar spine correlates very well with total body muscle. There are defined, albeit population-based, cut-off values that can be used to establish diagnosis of sarcopenia. Monitoring of individualized nutritional therapy can be accomplished by assessment of repetitive CT examinations. The steadily growing body of data confirms that the method can make a valuable contribution to the assessment of body composition in intensive care medicine. Most of the currently available software requires time-consuming processing of the CT. Automated programs, which are now occasionally available and eliminate the need for most manual processing, may make the method even more attractive in the future. Ultimately, the risk of intensive transport to the CT or radiation exposure may be only justified for medical indications. Nevertheless, whenever CT is available for medical reasons, it should also be exploited for composition analysis.

Gender differences and cooperation in medical authorships - an analysis of the recent ten years in five key medical disciplines.

BACKGROUND: Career prospects in academic medicine are strongly linked to scientific authorship and this marker has been widely used as an indicator of gender equity in academia. However, direct comparisons of medical disciplines regarding their proportion of female physicians (FP) in different countries are missing. This study examines the gender parity and gender cooperation using first authorships (FA) and senior authorships (SA) of scientific publications in five medical disciplines and six different OECD countries over a 10-year time-trend. METHODS: Articles from three high-impact journals in each of the medical discipline radiology, urology, surgery, gynecology, and pediatrics from the years 2007/8 and 2017/18 were retrospectively reviewed. The gender and affiliation location of the FA and SA of original research articles and reviews were assigned and compared with the proportion of in each discipline for the United States of America, Canada, United Kingdom, France, Germany, and Japan. Mantel-Haenszel test and multinomial logistic regression models were used to calculate differences in proportions of women authors and FP and to assess trends and proportions of FA and SA. RESULTS: 30,803 articles were evaluated. Equally, with rising proportions of FP in all disciplines, the number of women authors increased across years. The shares of women FAs were either significantly higher (urology/surgery/gynecology) or balanced (pediatrics/radiology) compared to the proportion of FP. In contrast, the shares of women SA were balanced only in disciplines with a low proportion of FP (urology and surgery) and otherwise reduced. Women same-gender cooperation was as common as men same-gender cooperation and preferred over a women-led mixed gender cooperation in disciplines where this seemed to be practicable due to the high proportions of FP. CONCLUSION: In contrast to FA, a significant disparity persists in SA, particularly in disciplines with a high proportion of FP. The discrepancy between FA and SA may reflect, among others, dropout from an academic career in early or mid-academic levels, for example, due to structural inequality; together with the findings on gender preference in authorship collaborations, this may inform future strategies for promoting equal career advancement for women physicians.

Foreign Healthcare Professionals in Germany: A Questionnaire Survey Evaluating Discrimination Experiences and Equal Treatment at Two Large University Hospitals.

OBJECTIVE: To identify facilitators and barriers and derive concrete measures towards better workplace integration of migrants working in the German healthcare sector. DESIGN: Two-centre cross-sectional quantitative online survey of experiences of discrimination among healthcare professionals with a migration history in two large German university hospitals. PARTICIPANTS: 251 participants fully completed the questionnaires. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Experiences of discrimination and perception of inequality. RESULTS: Fifty-five percent of migrant health workers had had at least some command of German before arriving in Germany. Members of all professional groups surveyed expressed experiences of discrimination related to language, nationality, race/ethnicity, and sex/gender. The proportions of staff with experiences of discrimination by peers differed significantly among occupational roles, with nurses and technologists having the most experiences of discrimination. The perception of inequality was reported more frequently than experiences of discrimination and had a negative impact on workplace satisfaction. Specifically, the compulsion to compete was a frequent feeling stated by participants. CONCLUSION: The mechanisms of discrimination and structural inequality revealed by our survey could inform specific measures, for example at the management level, to increase workplace satisfaction and attract migrant health workers in the long term.

Importance of computed tomography muscle quality and continuous versus cut-off-based sarcopenia detection in major hepatic surgery.

Background: The role of the computed tomography (CT)-derived skeletal muscle index (SMI) as a parameter of muscle quantity on the outcome after major liver resection remains contradictory and that of the muscle radiodensity attenuation (MRA) as a parameter of muscle quality has not been sufficiently evaluated. This observational study aimed to investigate the influence of metric SMI and MRA values and cut-off-based CT sarcopenia detection on liver-surgery specific complications measured by the new FABIB (liver failure, ascites, biliary leakage, infection, bleeding) score and survival after hemihepatectomy. Methods: A total of 183 patients with major hepatectomy were retrospectively included. The SMI and MRA were determined from the abdominal muscle area of preoperative CT scans. Patients were classified as sarcopenic by the SMI and MRA cut-off values of Prado et al., Martin et al., and van der Werf et al. Postoperative complications were documented according to the Clavien-Dindo classification and FABIB score. The relation of the continuous, non-categoric SMI and MRA values and of the cut-off-based sarcopenia detection to the postoperative complications and survival was analyzed by multivariable linear, logistic, and Cox proportional hazards regression. Results: A higher MRA was associated with less severe postoperative complications in the Clavien-Dindo [-0.59 (95% CI: -0.95 to -0.23), P=0.002] and the FABIB score [-0.65 (95% CI: -1.19 to -0.12), P=0.017]. An increase of the SMI did not result in less severe complications in the Clavien-Dindo [0.14 (95% CI: -0.27 to 0.55), P=0.503] or FABIB score [0.17 (95% CI: -0.42 to 0.76), P=0.572]. For patients classified as sarcopenic by the cut-off-based systems no relevant relation to postoperative complications was found. Overall survival was better for a higher MRA [hazard ratio (HR): 0.75 (95% CI: 0.58-0.97), P=0.029], as long-term survival was for a higher SMI [HR: 0.68 (95% CI: 0.47-0.96), P=0.031]. Only below van der Werf's MRA cut-off the probability of overall and long-term survival was reduced [HR: 2.32 (95% CI: 1.18-4.54), P=0.015; 2.68 (95% CI: 1.25-5.74), P=0.011]. Conclusions: The MRA has a stronger influence on complications in the Clavien-Dindo classification and the liver-surgery specific FABIB score than the SMI. Continuous, non-categoric MRA and SMI values are superior to cut-off-based systems in predicting the outcome after major hepatic surgery.

Impact of dosimetric factors on long-term percutaneous enteral gastrostomy (PEG) tube dependence in head and neck cancer patients after (chemo)radiotherapy-results from a prospective randomized trial.

PURPOSE/OBJECTIVE: To analyze dose-volume histogram (DVH)-derived data on the exposure of organs at risk with impact on long-term percutaneous enteral gastrostomy (PEG) tube dependence in head and neck cancer patients at 6 and 12 months after definitive or adjuvant (chemo)radiotherapy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Sixty-one patients were prospectively treated with (chemo)radiotherapy. Prophylactic or reactive gastrostomy tube placement was performed in 41 (67.2%) patients. Dose-volume histogram parameters were obtained for the swallowing apparatus. RESULTS: Median follow-up time was 25 (2-34) months. Overall survival was shorter in patients with inlying PEG tubes at 6 and 12 months (log rank p = 0.038 and p = 0.017) after therapy completion. The estimated median time of tube dependency was 6 (95% confidence interval: 2-14) months. After 6 months, 46.5% of patients were tube dependent. After 12 months, this estimated proportion fell to 31.5%. For both time points, the volume to the larynx (in %) receiving at least 50 Gy (larynx V50Gy) exceeding 53% was predictive for long-term tube feeding (6 months: p = 0.041 and 12 months: p = 0.042) being an independent predictor during multivariable analysis. There was no clinical feature influencing tube dependence after 12 months. CONCLUSION: Long-term gastrostomy dependence was found to be strongly associated with an exposure of laryngeal structures (specifically, V50Gy ≥ 53%) during radiotherapy. Consequently, the avoidance of supraglottic as well as glottic structures is warranted.

Work and Training Conditions of German Residents and Young Radiologists in Interventional Radiology - A Nationwide Survey.

With the increasing need for minimally invasive procedures based on lower complication rates, higher patient acceptance, and technical developments, there is a growing focus on the sound interventional training of young radiologists. This survey aimed to analyze the current situation in interventional radiology (IR) training in Germany to detect shortcomings and identify areas for improvement.From November 1-30, 2020, an online questionnaire was distributed to representative radiological associations and societies with the request to forward it to radiology residents and radiologists < 40 years. The 44 questions covered six distinct areas from personal working conditions to the characterization of the IR department, training conditions, role of women in IR, and attendance at congresses/external training.A total of 330 participants completed the questionnaire. 77 % of participants expressed a high interest in IR, and 47 % could even imagine subspecializing in interventional radiology. Most institutions provided the necessary learning conditions and infrastructure. The rate of overall satisfaction with IR training conditions was 45 % (vs. a dissatisfaction rate of 39 %). However, females showed a lower satisfaction rate with their training environment than male participants (28 % vs. 51 %; P = 0.06). Positive correlations with work satisfaction were found for the presence and duration of the IR rotation, the number of partly independently/mentored performed interventions, and structured feedback. Moreover, the need for a structured training curriculum was expressed by 67 % of participants.Radiological residents and young radiologists expressed a high interest in interventional radiology, and they rate the infrastructure of German hospitals regarding IR as sufficient. However, they expressed the need for consistent IR rotations and better-structured resident and postgraduate education (curricula & interviews).Interest in interventional radiology among radiological residents and young radiologists in Germany is high, but satisfaction with interventional radiology training leaves room for improvement. The most frequently mentioned aspects that can improve IR training were · organized rotations of at least 6 months. · structured curriculums with face-to-face feedback. · structured guidance by senior interventionists during procedures. CITATION FORMAT: · Sieren M, Katoh M, Mahnken AH et al. Work and Training Conditions of German Residents and Young Radiologists in Interventional Radiology - A Nationwide Survey. Fortschr Röntgenstr 2022; 194: 1346 - 1357.