Imaging findings in penetrating injuries in the paediatric population - Experience from a major trauma Centre.

OBJECTIVE: The primary objective of this study is to assess common sites of injury and the associated imaging findings in penetrating injuries. We pay particular attention to gluteal, anterior abdominal wall and junctional zone injuries. The aim is to highlight areas of diagnostic uncertainty and discrepancy between imaging and surgical findings, to improve review areas in trauma reporting. METHODS: A retrospective, observational study reviewing all paediatric admissions to the emergency department of a major trauma Centre with a penetrating injury, from 2015 to 2019. RESULTS: Gluteal penetrating injuries are by far the most commonly sustained injury in the adolescent population, making up over 1/3 of cases. The vast majority of these cases sustained superficial injuries or shallow intramuscular haematomas, however in a small group (15%), serious vascular or rectal injuries were demonstrated on dual phase CT, requiring emergent surgical or endovascular treatment. Penetrating injuries to the anterior abdominal wall and junctional zone are less common but are associated with higher morbidity, with 43% of cases demonstrating solid organ or bowel injury. These cases also lead to an increased degree of diagnostic uncertainty. CONCLUSION: Gluteal injuries are common and although the overall morbidity of these cases is low, these patients are at risk of serious and life threatening consequences such as vascular and rectal injury and it is imperative that these complications are considered and ruled out via dual phase CT or direct visualization. Anterior abdominal wall and junctional zone injuries are less common, but lead to greater morbidity and also greater diagnostic uncertainty. The use of other salient findings as described in this report can aid diagnostic accuracy and reduce discrepancies.

Effect of a flipped classroom course to foster medical students' AI literacy with a focus on medical imaging: a single group pre-and post-test study.

BACKGROUND: The use of artificial intelligence applications in medicine is becoming increasingly common. At the same time, however, there are few initiatives to teach this important and timely topic to medical students. One reason for this is the predetermined medical curriculum, which leaves very little room for new topics that were not included before. We present a flipped classroom course designed to give undergraduate medical students an elaborated first impression of AI and to increase their "AI readiness". METHODS: The course was tested and evaluated at Bonn Medical School in Germany with medical students in semester three or higher and consisted of a mixture of online self-study units and online classroom lessons. While the online content provided the theoretical underpinnings and demonstrated different perspectives on AI in medical imaging, the classroom sessions offered deeper insight into how "human" diagnostic decision-making differs from AI diagnoses. This was achieved through interactive exercises in which students first diagnosed medical image data themselves and then compared their results with the AI diagnoses. We adapted the "Medical Artificial Intelligence Scale for Medical Students" to evaluate differences in "AI readiness" before and after taking part in the course. These differences were measured by calculating the so called "comparative self-assessment gain" (CSA gain) which enables a valid and reliable representation of changes in behaviour, attitudes, or knowledge. RESULTS: We found a statistically significant increase in perceived AI readiness. While values of CSA gain were different across items and factors, the overall CSA gain regarding AI readiness was satisfactory. CONCLUSION: Attending a course developed to increase knowledge about AI in medical imaging can increase self-perceived AI readiness in medical students.

Emergency Radiology: Evolution, Current Status, and Future Directions.

Emergency Radiology is a clinical practice and an academic discipline that has rapidly gained increasing global recognition among radiology and emergency/critical care departments and trauma services around the world. As with other subspecialties, Emergency Radiology practice has a unique scope and purpose and presents with its own unique challenges. There are several advantages of having a dedicated Emergency Radiology section, perhaps most important of which is the broad clinical skillset that Emergency Radiologists are known for. This multi-society paper, representing the views of Emergency Radiology societies in Canada and Europe, outlines several value-oriented contributions of Emergency Radiologists and briefly discusses the current state of Emergency Radiology as a subspecialty.

Medical and surgical devices in the emergency and trauma patient: what the radiologist should know, and how they can add value.

A variety of different external and internal medical devices are used in the acute setting to maintain life support and manage severely injured and unstable trauma or emergency patients. These devices are inserted into the acutely ill patient with the specific purpose of improving outcome, but misplacement can cause additional morbidity and mortality. Consequently, meaningful interpretation of the position of devices can affect acute management. Some devices such as nasopharyngeal, nasogastric and endotracheal tubes and chest and surgical drains are well known to most clinicians, however, little formal training exists for radiologists in composing their report on the imaging of these devices. The novice radiologist often relies on tips and phrases handed down in an aural tradition or resorts to phrases such as: "position as shown". Furthermore, radiologists with limited experience in trauma might not be familiar with the radiological appearance of other more specific devices. This review will focus on the most common medical devices used in acute trauma patients, indications, radiological appearance and their correct and suboptimal positioning.

The practice of emergency radiology throughout Europe: a survey from the European Society of Emergency Radiology on volume, staffing, equipment, and scheduling.

OBJECTIVES: To obtain information from radiology departments throughout Europe regarding the practice of emergency radiology METHODS: A survey which comprised of 24 questions was developed and made available online. The questionnaire was sent to 1097 chairs of radiology departments throughout Europe using the ESR database. All data were collected and analyzed using IBM SPSS Statistics software, version 20 (IBM). RESULTS: A total of 1097 radiologists were asked to participate, 109 responded to our survey. The response rate was 10%. From our survey, 71.6% of the hospitals had more than 500 beds. Ninety-eight percent of hospitals have an active teaching affiliation. In large trauma centers, emergency radiology was considered a dedicated section. Fifty-three percent of institutions have dedicated emergency radiology sections. Less than 30% had all imaging modalities available. Seventy-nine percent of institutions have 24/7 coverage by staff radiologists. Emergency radiologists interpret cross-sectional body imaging, US scans, and basic CT/MRI neuroimaging in more than 50% of responding institutions. Cardiac imaging examinations/procedures are usually performed by cardiologist in 53% of institutions, while non-cardiac vascular procedures are largely performed and interpreted by interventional radiologists. Most people consider the European Diploma in Emergency Radiology an essential tool to advance the education and the dissemination of information within the specialty of emergency radiology. CONCLUSION: Emergency radiologists have an active role in the emergency medical team. Indeed, based upon our survey, they have to interact with emergency physicians and surgeons in the management of critically ill patients. A broad skillset from ultrasonography and basic neuroimaging is required. KEY POINTS: • At most major trauma centers in Europe, emergency imaging is currently performed by all radiologists in specific units who are designated in the emergency department. • Radiologists in the emergency section at present have a broad skillset, which includes cross-sectional body imaging, ultrasonography, and basic neuroimaging of the brain and spine. • A dedicated curriculum that certifies a subspecialty in emergency radiology with a diploma offered by the European Society of Emergency Radiology demonstrates a great interest by the vast majority of the respondents.

European Society of Emergency Radiology: guideline on radiological polytrauma imaging and service (short version).

BACKGROUND: Although some national recommendations for the role of radiology in a polytrauma service exist, there are no European guidelines to date. Additionally, for many interdisciplinary guidelines, radiology tends to be under-represented. These factors motivated the European Society of Emergency Radiology (ESER) to develop radiologically-centred polytrauma guidelines. RESULTS: Evidence-based decisions were made on 68 individual aspects of polytrauma imaging at two ESER consensus conferences. For severely injured patients, whole-body CT (WBCT) has been shown to significantly reduce mortality when compared to targeted, selective CT. However, this advantage must be balanced against the radiation risk of performing more WBCTs, especially in less severely injured patients. For this reason, we recommend a second lower dose WBCT protocol as an alternative in certain clinical scenarios. The ESER Guideline on Radiological Polytrauma Imaging and Service is published in two versions: a full version (download from the ESER homepage, https://www.eser-society.org ) and a short version also covering all recommendations (this article). CONCLUSIONS: Once a patient has been accurately classified as polytrauma, each institution should be able to choose from at least two WBCT protocols. One protocol should be optimised regarding time and precision, and is already used by most institutions (variant A). The second protocol should be dose reduced and used for clinically stable and oriented patients who nonetheless require a CT because the history suggests possible serious injury (variant B). Reading, interpretation and communication of the report should be structured clinically following the ABCDE format, i.e. diagnose first what kills first.

Ruptured gastric artery aneurysms: two cases and emergency imaging findings.

A ruptured gastric artery aneurysm is a rare but important possible cause of massive intra-abdominal or gastrointestinal haemorrhage, and carries a high risk of mortality. Although aneurysms of the gastric arteries are uncommon, emergency radiologists and clinicians should be familiar with the clinical presentation, imaging findings and pathophysiology. We present two cases of massive intra-abdominal haemorrhage and haemodynamic shock secondary to acute rupture of previously occult gastric artery aneurysm and review the relevant anatomy, imaging findings and pathophysiology of gastric and other visceral artery aneurysms. By virtue of its location in the lesser omentum, a ruptured gastric artery aneurysm may result in a typical pattern and distribution of adjacent haematoma in the upper abdomen. Our description of imaging findings highlights a characteristic epicentre of intraperitoneal haemorrhage, and its typical mass effect displacement of surrounding viscera, to aid the emergent diagnosis of gastric artery aneurysm rupture.

Pearls and pitfalls in imaging of blunt traumatic thoracic aortic injury: a pictorial review.

Blunt thoracic aortic injury (TAI) occurs most frequently as a sequelae of high impact deceleration such as high-velocity road traffic accidents and falls from height. The burden of mortality and morbidity is high, however advances in pre-hospital care, diagnostic imaging and endovascular therapies have improved outcomes in this group of patients. Emergent treatment depends on accurate, early diagnosis by the radiologist. It is therefore of paramount importance that radiologists are familiar with both the direct (intimal flap, pseudoaneurysm, aortic contour irregularity and contrast extravasation) and indirect (periaortic haematoma) imaging findings of TAI. Furthermore, it is critical that technical (breathing artefact and cardiac motion artefact) as well as anatomical (ductus diverticulum, aortic spindle and mediastinal structures which imitate periaortic haematoma) pitfalls are recognised to avoid misdiagnosis. This pictorial review will help the diagnostic radiologist to recognise the patterns of injury and imaging features associated with TAI, as well as highlighting potential mimics when interrogating CTangiography (CTA) in major trauma.

Trauma in the elderly patient.

Major Trauma Centres and Emergency Departments are treating an increasing number of elderly trauma patients in the UK. Elderly patients, defined as those over the age of 65 years, are more susceptible to injury from lesser mechanisms of trauma than younger adults. The number of elderly trauma cases is rising yearly, accounting for >25% of all major trauma nationally. The elderly have different physiological reserves and a different response to trauma due to premorbid frailty, co-existing conditions and prescribed medication. These factors need to be appreciated in trauma triaging, radiological assessment and clinical management. A lower threshold for trauma-call activation is recommended, including a lower threshold for advanced imaging. We will review general principles of trauma in the elderly, outline injury patterns in this age group and illustrate the radiological features per anatomical site, from head to pelvis and the extremities. We advocate using contrast-enhanced computed tomography as the primary diagnostic imaging modality as concern about intravenous contrast agent-induced nephropathy is relatively minor. Prompt investigation and diagnosis leads to timely appropriate treatment, therefore the radiologist can discerningly improve morbidity and mortality in this vulnerable group.

Surgical considerations when reporting MRI studies of soft tissue sarcoma of the limbs.

Soft tissue sarcomas (STS) are rare tumours that require prompt diagnosis and treatment at a specialist centre. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) has become the modality of choice for identification, characterisation, biopsy planning and staging of soft tissue masses. MRI enables both the operating surgeon and patient to be optimally prepared prior to surgery for the likelihood of margin-negative resection and to anticipate possible sacrifice of adjacent structures and consequent loss of function. The aim of this review is to aid the radiologist in performing and reporting MRI studies of soft tissue sarcomas, with particular reference to the requirements of the surgical oncologist.

Imaging in the post-partum period: clinical challenges, normal findings, and common imaging pitfalls.

Complex physiological and biochemical changes occur in women during the post-partum period, many of which are incompletely understood. There are limited descriptions within the medical literature about expected imaging findings during this period and this review aims to illustrate 'normal' appearances following vaginal delivery and Cesarean section. We will also discuss some of the pertinent clinical challenges and imaging pitfalls encountered in assessing the post-partum female.

Trauma whole-body MDCT: an assessment of image quality in conventional dual-phase and modified biphasic injection.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the image quality of conventional arterial and portal venous (PV) phase multidetector CT (MDCT) with two biphasic injection protocols in polytrauma patients. METHODS: 60 consecutive patients with polytrauma underwent body 256-slice MDCT with a conventional protocol or 1 of 2 single-pass biphasic protocols: Group A, arterial (30 s) and PV (60 s) phase acquisitions; Group B, "biphasic" contrast injection with a single acquisition at 60 s; and Group C, "modified biphasic" injection with a single acquisition at a 70-s delay. Images were analyzed for arterial, venous and parenchymal attenuation profiles with regions of interest in the major arteries, veins and solid abdominal organs. A 5-point scoring system was used to assess the image quality, with 5 representing excellent arterial, venous and parenchymal opacification and <3 representing non-diagnostic opacification. In addition, the effective dose (millisieverts) was compared between the groups. RESULTS: In 93% of patients, image quality was scored as good or excellent (≥4). All studies were of satisfactory diagnostic quality. Overall, venous and arterial attenuation profiles were comparable. Attenuation profiles in the solid abdominal viscera were significantly higher (p < 0.01) using both biphasic protocols than with arterial or PV phase of conventional protocols. Effective doses were higher in Group A. CONCLUSION: Comparable image quality can be achieved using a biphasic i.v. contrast injection protocol with single MDCT acquisition with less radiation and reduction in acquisition time. ADVANCES IN KNOWLEDGE: For these particular biphasic injection protocols, we have shown that image quality is comparable with a conventional protocol. This has been achieved by comparing enhanced densities of specific structures, as well as gestalt scoring by assessors, on a 256-slice MDCT.

Use of advanced imaging techniques during visits to emergency departments--implications, costs, patient benefits/risks.

25 years ago, on a Friday evening at 9 pm, the emergency department (ED) was full of patients with a wide range of clinical problems. Their investigations included plain radiographs, but no other imaging was included until the next working day. At present, many patients are receiving advanced imaging such as ultrasound, CT and MRI, often delivered out of hours--an obvious advance for patients or sometimes an unnecessary development? In this article, we will consider how to assess patient benefits and whether increased use of advanced imaging is an overall advance for patients. We will address the general implications for healthcare services which come with greater use of advanced imaging. We will then address the effect of advanced imaging on individual fictional ED patients with a variety of complaints.

Should all elective knee radiographs requested by general practitioners be performed weight-bearing?

The aims of this study were to: [1] Assess the number of patients with suspected knee osteoarthritis that underwent repeat weight-bearing(WB) knee radiographs in the orthopaedic clinic following initial non-WB radiograph requested by their general practitioner (GP). [2] Confirm whether repeating WB knee views changed radiology reports. [3] Determine the number of London trusts with protocols for routinely performing WB views. A Retrospective cohort study of 1968 patients aged >40 years referred to a London teaching hospital for knee radiographs over 12 months. Radiographs were identified as WB/non-WB. Subsequent repeat WB views performed in those that went on to have an orthopaedic consultation were also documented. A consultant musculoskeletal radiologist reported both images. A proforma containing a likert scale of severity for commonly reported abnormalities in knee osteoarthritis and criteria from the Kellgren and Lawrence scale was used for reporting. London NHS Trusts were surveyed to identify if protocols were in place for performing WB views. A total of 1,968 patients underwent knee radiographs, of which 1922 (97.7%) had initial non-WB radiographs. Of the 56 patients in this group that underwent required repeat WB radiographs, joint space narrowing was reported as more severe on WB versus non-WB radiographs (p = 0.035). Only 54% of departments routinely performed WB radiographs. Few patients (2.3%) referred by GPs have WB radiographs requested. Some of those referred for a specialist opinion required repeat WB views. Nearly half of London hospitals do not routinely perform WB radiographs. This represents a significant financial burden to the NHS, increased radiation exposure and wasted patient/clinician time. We propose that all GP requested knee radiographs be performed as WB unless otherwise stated.

Look away: arterial and venous intravascular embolisation following shotgun injury.

We describe two cases of intravascular embolization of shotgun pellets found distant to the entry site of penetrating firearm injury. The cases demonstrate antegrade embolization of a shotgun pellet from neck to right middle cerebral artery, and antegrade followed by retrograde venous embolization through the left lower limb to pelvis. Radiologists and Trauma Physicians should be aware that post shotgun injury, the likelihood of an embolised shot pellet is increased compared to other types of firearm missile injury, and should therefore search away from the site of injury to find such missiles. Shotgun pellets may travel in an antegrade or a retrograde intravascular direction - both were seen in these cases - and may not be clinically obvious. This underscores the importance of a meticuluous search through all images, including CT scout images, for evidence of their presence.

Renal artery stenosis: comparative assessment by unenhanced renal artery MRA versus contrast-enhanced MRA.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate steady-state free precession (SSFP) non-contrast-enhanced MR angiography (Unenhanced-MRA) versus conventional contrast-enhanced MR angiography (CE-MRA) in the detection of renal artery stenosis (RAS). METHODS: Retrospective analysis of 70 consecutive patients referred for suspected RAS, examined by SSFP Unenhanced-MRA and CE-MRA. Image quality, quality of visible renal arterial segments, presence and grade of RAS were evaluated. The Unenhanced-MRA were compared against reference standard CE-MRA results. RESULTS: 149 renal arteries were assessed with 21 haemodynamically significant stenoses (≥ 50% stenosis) demonstrated by CE-MRA. Combined sensitivity and specificity for RAS detection by Unenhanced-MRA was 72.8% and 97.8% respectively. There is substantial correlation for RAS detection between Unenhanced-MRA and CE-MRA with kappa values of between 0.64 and 0.74. There was excellent inter-observer correlation for RAS on Unenhanced-MRA (kappa values 0.82-1.0). CONCLUSIONS: Our study has shown Unenhanced-MRA to be a viable alternative to CE-MRA, yielding images equal in quality without the requirement for gadolinium contrast agents. The sensitivity and specificity for the detection of haemodynamically significant stenoses are comparable to CE-MRA. Potentially, Unenhanced-MRA could be used as an initial investigation to avoid performing CE-MRA in patients with normal renal arteries, however we suggest that its real value will lie in being complementary to CE-MRA.

Midfoot and hindfoot bone marrow edema identified by magnetic resonance imaging in feet of subjects with diabetes and neuropathic ulceration is common but of unknown clinical significance.

OBJECTIVE: We conducted a retrospective cohort study assessing the prevalence and clinical and radiological outcome of remote areas of bone marrow edema on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in the feet of subjects with diabetes and neuropathic foot ulceration. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS: MRIs performed over 6 years looking for osteomyelitis associated with neuropathic lesions were assessed for remote areas of signal change. RESULTS: Seventy MRI studies were assessed. Remote areas of signal change were present in 21 (30%) subjects, involved midfoot or hindfoot in 20 subjects, were associated with younger age and renal replacement therapy, and did not predict future Charcot neuroarthropathy or infection at that site. Repeat MRIs in 11 subjects with such areas found that none had progressed, six had improved, and two had resolved; in 29 subjects without such areas, five had developed new areas. CONCLUSIONS: Bone marrow edema in the midfoot and hindfoot of subjects with diabetes and neuropathic lesions is common, often transient, and of unknown significance.