Core and Advanced Thoracic Imaging Curricula to Guide Residency and Fellowship Training: A Framework From the Canadian Society of Thoracic Radiology.

RATIONALE: A well-defined curriculum with goals and objectives is an inherent part of every radiology training program. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Following a needs assessment, the Canadian Society of Thoracic Radiology Education Committee developed a thoracic imaging curriculum using a mixed- method approach, complimentary to the cardiac curriculum published as a separate document. RESULTS: The Thoracic Imaging Curriculum consists of two separate yet complimentary parts: a Core Curriculum, aimed at residents in-training, with the main goal of building a strong foundational knowledge, and an Advanced Curriculum, designed to build upon the core knowledge and guide a more in-depth subspecialty training. CONCLUSION: The curricular frameworks aim to enhance the educational experience of residents and fellows and provide an educational framework for clinical supervisors and residency and fellowship program directors. SUMMARY STATEMENT: The Canadian Society of Thoracic Radiology championed the creation of Cardiovascular and Thoracic Imaging curricula encompassing clinical knowledge and technical, communication, and decision-making skills with the goal of providing direction to a strong foundational knowledge for residents and to guide specialty training for fellowship programs.

National Core and Advanced Cardiac Imaging Curricula: A Framework From the Canadian Society of Thoracic Radiology Education Committee.

RATIONALE: Well-defined curriculum with goals and objectives is an inherent part of every radiology residency program. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Following a needs assessment, the Canadian Society of Thoracic Radiology education committee developed a cardiac imaging curriculum using a mixed method collaborative approach. RESULTS: The Cardiovascular Imaging Curricula consist each of two separate yet complimentary granular parts: a Core Curriculum, aimed at residents in-training, with the main goal of building a strong foundational knowledge and an Advanced Curriculum, designed to build upon the core knowledge and guide a more in-depth fellowship subspecialty training. CONCLUSION: The curricular frameworks aim to enhance the educational experience of trainees (residents and fellows) and provide an educational framework for clinical supervisors and residency and fellowship program directors. SUMMARY STATEMENT: The Canadian Society of Thoracic Radiology (CSTR) championed the creation of Cardiovascular and Thoracic Imaging curricula encompassing clinical knowledge and technical, communication, and decision-making skills with the goal of providing direction to a strong foundational knowledge for residents and to guide specialty training for fellowship programs.

Morphologic Analysis of the Carpal Tunnel and Median Nerve Following Open and Endoscopic Carpal Tunnel Release.

Background: Endoscopic carpal tunnel release (ECTR) has purported advantages over open release such as reduced intraoperative dissection and trauma and more rapid recovery. Endoscopic carpal tunnel release has been shown to have comparable outcomes to open release, but open release is considered easier and safer to perform. Previous studies have demonstrated an increase in carpal tunnel volume, regardless of the technique used. However, the mechanism by which this volumetric increase occurs has been debated. Our study will determine through magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) analysis the morphologic changes that occur in both open carpal tunnel release (OCTR) and ECTR, thereby clarifying any morphologic differences that occur as a result of the 2 operative techniques. We hypothesize that there will be no morphologic differences between the 2 techniques. Methods: This was a prospective study to compare the postoperative anatomy of both techniques with MRI. Nineteen patients with clinical and nerve conduction study-confirmed carpal tunnel syndrome underwent either open or endoscopic release. Magnetic resonance imaging was performed preoperatively and 6 months postoperatively in all patients to examine the volume of the carpal tunnel, transverse distance, anteroposterior (AP) distance, divergence of tendons, and Guyon's canal transverse and AP distance. Results: There was no significant difference in the postoperative morphology of the carpal tunnel and median nerve between OCTR and ECTR at 6-month follow-up on MRI. Conclusion: We conclude that there are no morphologic differences in OCTR and ECTR. It is an increase in the AP dimension that appears to be responsible for the increase in the volume of the carpal tunnel.

Canadian Society of Thoracic Radiology/Canadian Association of Radiologists Consensus Statement Regarding Chest Imaging in Suspected and Confirmed COVID-19.

On March 11, 2020, the World Health Organization declared infection related to a novel coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) a pandemic. The role and impact of imaging predates this declaration and continues to change rapidly. This article is a consensus statement provided by the Canadian Society of Thoracic Radiology and the Canadian Association of Radiologists outlining the role of imaging in COVID-19 patients. The objectives are to answer key questions related to COVID-19 imaging of the chest and provide guidance for radiologists who are interpreting such studies during this pandemic. The role of chest radiography (CXR), computed tomography (CT), and lung ultrasound is discussed. This document attempts to answer key questions for the imager when dealing with this crisis, such as "When is CXR appropriate in patients with suspected or confirmed COVID-19 infection?" or "How should a radiologist deal with incidental findings of COVID-19 on CT of the chest done for other indications?" This article also provides recommended reporting structure for CXR and CT, breaking diagnostic possibilities for both CXR and CT into 3 categories: typical, nonspecific, and negative based on imaging findings with representative images provided. Proposed reporting language is also outlined based on this structure. As our understanding of this pandemic evolves, our appreciation for how imaging fits into the workup of patients during this unprecedented time evolves as well. Although this consensus statement was written using the most recent literature, it is important to maintain an open mind as new information continues to surface.