Traumatic temporal bone fracture with middle ear effusion: A case report.

Temporal bone fracture is a relatively rare but significant complication of traumatic head injury. We present a rare and unique case of traumatic temporal bone fracture with middle ear effusion, in a 76-year-old woman, following a fall. Physical examination on presentation was remarkable for a superficial scalp hematoma in the occipital region, without any focal neurological deficits. An initial non-contrast head CT revealed a large posterior scalp hematoma and subtle changes suggestive of artifact vs. hemorrhage within the right temporal lobe. Over two days, she developed a worsening headache, with new hearing impairment and reduced right sided bone-conduction on auditory testing. A repeat head CT confirmed a right hemorrhagic temporal lobe contusion as well as a right mastoid and middle ear effusion. A dedicated temporal bone CT scan was performed, which revealed an acute longitudinal fracture through the right mastoid bone without extension into the middle ear cavity. She was evaluated by neurosurgery, managed symptomatically, and observed closely. Her neurological status remained stable, and she was discharged with planned outpatient follow-up with her primary care provider and the consulting neurosurgeon. This case illustrates sequalae of traumatic temporal bone fracture, as well as the value of clinical history and heightened clinical concern for an occult, easily overlooked region during imaging.

Incentivizing Physician Diversity in Radiology.

In this article, the authors review the evolving state of diversity in the field of radiology. The authors discuss several early and recent historical legislative milestones that increased the equitable delivery of health care in the United States, such as Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, which ensured that funds for Medicare reimbursement would be available only to desegregated hospitals. Furthermore, the authors examine the current state of diversity and representation in radiology, in which underrepresented minorities represent 8.3% of training and practicing radiologists, and women represent 27.8% of radiologists. Finally, the authors present arguments for diversity in the current medical education system, analyze hurdles to increasing representation in radiology, and consider the future of diversity and inclusiveness in the field.

The Maryland self-referral law: history and implications.

Many previous studies have shown that nonradiologist physicians who can refer advanced MRI and CT examinations to themselves or within their practices use these modalities at a much higher rate than those who refer their examinations to unaffiliated radiology facilities. This led Maryland to pass a unique self-referral law in 1993 to directly address self-referred advanced imaging. The authors discuss the politics and economics of self-referral and provide a comprehensive review of the creation, progression, and impact of this landmark law.