Immediate Access to Radiology Reports: Perspectives on X Before and After the Cures Act Information Blocking Provision.

OBJECTIVE: The 21st Century Cures Act's information blocking provision mandates that patients have immediate access to their electronic health information, including radiology reports. We evaluated public opinions surrounding this policy on X, a microblogging platform with over 400 million users. METHODS: We retrieved 27,522 posts related to radiology reports from October 5, 2020, through October 4, 2021. One reviewer performed initial screening for relevant posts. Two reviewers categorized user type and post theme(s) using a predefined coding system. Posts were grouped as "pre-Cures" (6 months before information blocking) and "post-Cures" (6 months after). Descriptive statistics and χ2 tests were performed. RESULTS: Among 1,155 final posts, 1,028 unique users were identified (64% patients, 11% non-radiologist physicians, 4% radiologists). X activity increased, with 40% (n = 462) pre-Cures and 60% (n = 693) post-Cures. Early result notification before referring providers was the only theme that significantly increased post-Cures (+3%, P = .001). Common negative themes were frustration (33%), anxiety (27%), and delay (20%). Common positive themes were gratitude for radiologists (52%) and autonomy (21%). Of posts expressing opinions on early access, 84% favored and 16% opposed it, with decreased preference between study periods (P = .006). More patients than physicians preferred early access (92% versus 40%, P < .0001). DISCUSSION: X activity increased after the information blocking provision, partly due to conversation about early notification. Despite negative experiences with reports, most users preferred early access. Although the Cures Act is a positive step toward open access, work remains to improve patients' engagement with their radiology results.

Designing Clinical MRI for Enhanced Workflow and Value.

MRI is an expensive and traditionally time-intensive modality in imaging. With the paradigm shift toward value-based healthcare, radiology departments must examine the entire MRI process cycle to identify opportunities to optimize efficiency and enhance value for patients. Digital tools such as "frictionless scheduling" prioritize patient preference and convenience, thereby delivering patient-centered care. Recent advances in conventional and deep learning-based accelerated image reconstruction methods have reduced image acquisition time to such a degree that so-called nongradient time now constitutes a major percentage of total room time. For this reason, architectural design strategies that reconfigure patient preparation processes and decrease the turnaround time between scans can substantially impact overall throughput while also improving patient comfort and privacy. Real-time informatics tools that provide an enterprise-wide overview of MRI workflow and Picture Archiving and Communication System (PACS)-integrated instant messaging can complement these efforts by offering transparent, situational data and facilitating communication between radiology team members. Finally, long-term investment in training, recruiting, and retaining a highly skilled technologist workforce is essential for building a pipeline and team of technologists committed to excellence. Here, we highlight various opportunities for optimizing MRI workflow and enhancing value by offering many of our own on-the-ground experiences and conclude by anticipating some of the future directions for process improvement and innovation in clinical MR imaging. EVIDENCE LEVEL: N/A TECHNICAL EFFICACY: Stage 1.

Fast and Frictionless: A Novel Approach to Radiology Appointment Scheduling Using a Mobile App and Recommendation Engine.

Many outpatient radiology orders are never scheduled, which can result in adverse outcomes. Digital appointment self-scheduling provides convenience, but utilization has been low. The purpose of this study was to develop a "frictionless" scheduling tool and evaluate the impact on utilization. The existing institutional radiology scheduling app was configured to accommodate a frictionless workflow. A recommendation engine used patient residence, past and future appointment data to generate three optimal appointment suggestions. For eligible frictionless orders, recommendations were sent in a text message. Other orders received either a text message for the non-frictionless app scheduling approach or a call-to-schedule text. Scheduling rates by type of text message and scheduling workflow were analyzed. Baseline data for a 3-month period prior to the launch of frictionless scheduling showed that 17% of orders that received an order notification text were scheduled using the app. In an 11-month period after the launch of frictionless scheduling, the rate of app scheduling was greater for orders that received a text message with recommendations (frictionless approach) versus app schedulable orders that received a text without recommendations (29% vs. 14%, p < 0.01). Thirty-nine percent of the orders that received a frictionless text and scheduled using the app used a recommendation. The most common recommendation rules chosen for scheduling included location preference of prior appointments (52%). Among appointments that were scheduled using a day or time preference, 64% were based on a rule using the time of the day. This study showed that frictionless scheduling was associated with an increased rate of app scheduling.

Video Radiology Reports: A Valuable Tool to Improve Patient-Centered Radiology.

BACKGROUND. Improved communication between radiologists and patients is a key component of patient-centered radiology. OBJECTIVE. The purpose of this study was to create patient-centered video radiology reports using simple-to-understand language and annotated images and to assess the effect of these reports on patients' experience and understanding of their imaging results. METHODS. During a 4-month study period, faculty radiologists created video radiology reports using a tool integrated within the diagnostic viewer that allows both image and voice capture. To aid patients' understanding of cross-sectional images, cinematically rendered images were automatically created and made immediately available to radiologists at the workstation, allowing their incorporation into video radiology reports. Video radiology reports were made available to patients via the institutional health portal along with the written radiology report and the examination images. Patient views of the video report were recorded, and descriptive analyses were performed on radiologist and examination characteristics as well as patient demographics. A survey was sent to patients to obtain feedback on their experience. RESULTS. During the study period, 105 of 227 faculty radiologists created 3763 video radiology reports (mean number of reports per radiologist, 36 ± 27 [SD] reports). Mean time to create a video report was 238 ± 141 seconds. Patients viewed 864 unique video reports. The mean overall video radiology report experience rating based on 101 patient surveys was 4.7 of 5. The mean rating for how well the video report helped patients understand their findings was also 4.7 of 5. Of the patients who responded to the survey, 91% preferred having both written and video reports together over having written reports alone. CONCLUSION. Patient-centered video radiology reports are a useful tool to help improve patient understanding of imaging results. The mechanism of creating the video reports and delivering them to patients can be integrated into existing informatics infrastructure. CLINICAL IMPACT. Video radiology reports can play an important role in patient-centered radiology, increasing patient understanding of imaging results, and they may improve the visibility of radiologists to patients and highlight the radiologist's important role in patient care.

Multicenter Evaluation of Multiparametric MRI Clear Cell Likelihood Scores in Solid Indeterminate Small Renal Masses.

Background Solid small renal masses (SRMs) (≤4 cm) represent benign and malignant tumors. Among SRMs, clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC) is frequently aggressive. When compared with invasive percutaneous biopsies, the objective of the proposed clear cell likelihood score (ccLS) is to classify ccRCC noninvasively by using multiparametric MRI, but it lacks external validation. Purpose To evaluate the performance of and interobserver agreement for ccLS to diagnose ccRCC among solid SRMs. Materials and Methods This retrospective multicenter cross-sectional study included patients with consecutive solid (≥25% approximate volume enhancement) SRMs undergoing multiparametric MRI between December 2012 and December 2019 at five academic medical centers with histologic confirmation of diagnosis. Masses with macroscopic fat were excluded. After a 1.5-hour training session, two abdominal radiologists per center independently rendered a ccLS for 50 masses. The diagnostic performance for ccRCC was calculated using random-effects logistic regression modeling. The distribution of ccRCC by ccLS was tabulated. Interobserver agreement for ccLS was evaluated with the Fleiss κ statistic. Results A total of 241 patients (mean age, 60 years ± 13 [SD]; 174 men) with 250 solid SRMs were evaluated. The mean size was 25 mm ± 8 (range, 10-39 mm). Of the 250 SRMs, 119 (48%) were ccRCC. The sensitivity, specificity, and positive predictive value for the diagnosis of ccRCC when ccLS was 4 or higher were 75% (95% CI: 68, 81), 78% (72, 84), and 76% (69, 81), respectively. The negative predictive value of a ccLS of 2 or lower was 88% (95% CI: 81, 93). The percentages of ccRCC according to the ccLS were 6% (range, 0%-18%), 38% (range, 0%-100%), 32% (range, 60%-83%), 72% (range, 40%-88%), and 81% (range, 73%-100%) for ccLSs of 1-5, respectively. The mean interobserver agreement was moderate (κ = 0.58; 95% CI: 0.42, 0.75). Conclusion The clear cell likelihood score applied to multiparametric MRI had moderate interobserver agreement and differentiated clear cell renal cell carcinoma from other solid renal masses, with a negative predictive value of 88%. © RSNA, 2022 Online supplemental material is available for this article. See also the editorial by Mileto and Potretzke in this issue.

Assessment of Renal Cell Carcinoma by Texture Analysis in Clinical Practice: A Six-Site, Six-Platform Analysis of Reliability.

BACKGROUND. Multiple commercial and open-source software applications are available for texture analysis. Nonstandard techniques can cause undesirable variability that impedes result reproducibility and limits clinical utility. OBJECTIVE. The purpose of this study is to measure agreement of texture metrics extracted by six software packages. METHODS. This retrospective study included 40 renal cell carcinomas with contrast-enhanced CT from The Cancer Genome Atlas and Imaging Archive. Images were analyzed by seven readers at six sites. Each reader used one of six software packages to extract commonly studied texture features. Inter- and intrareader agreement for segmentation was assessed with intraclass correlation coefficients (ICCs). First-order (available in six packages) and second-order (available in three packages) texture features were compared between software pairs using Pearson correlation. RESULTS. Inter- and intrareader agreement was excellent (ICC, 0.93-1). First-order feature correlations were strong (r ≥ 0.8, p < .001) between 75% (21/28) of software pairs for mean intensity and SD, 48% (10/21) for entropy, 29% (8/28) for skewness, and 25% (7/28) for kurtosis. Of 15 second-order features, only cooccurrence matrix correlation, gray-level nonuniformity, and run-length nonuniformity showed strong correlation between software packages (r = 0.90-1, p < .001). CONCLUSION. Variability in first- and second-order texture features was common across software configurations and produced inconsistent results. Standardized algorithms and reporting methods are needed before texture data can be reliably used for clinical applications. CLINICAL IMPACT. It is important to be aware of variability related to texture software processing and configuration when reporting and comparing outputs.

Lexicon for renal mass terms at CT and MRI: a consensus of the society of abdominal radiology disease-focused panel on renal cell carcinoma.

PURPOSE: There is substantial variation in the radiologic terms used to characterize renal masses, leading to ambiguity and inconsistency in clinical radiology reports and research studies. The purpose of this study was to develop a standardized lexicon to describe renal masses at CT and MRI. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This multi-institutional, prospective, quality improvement project was exempt from IRB oversight. Thirteen radiologists belonging to the Society of Abdominal Radiology (SAR) disease-focused panel on renal cell carcinoma representing nine academic institutions participated in a modified Delphi process to create a lexicon of terms used to describe imaging features of renal masses at CT and MRI. In the first round, members voted on terms to be included and proposed definitions; subsequent voting rounds and a teleconference established consensus. One non-voting member developed the questionnaire and consolidated responses. Consensus was defined as ≥ 80% agreement. RESULTS: Of 37 proposed terms, 6 had consensus to be excluded. Consensus for inclusion was reached for 30 of 31 terms (13/14 basic imaging terms, 8/8 CT terms, 6/6 MRI terms and 3/3 miscellaneous terms). Despite substantial initial disagreement about definitions of 'renal mass,' 'necrosis,' 'fat,' and 'restricted diffusion' in the first round, consensus for all was eventually reached. Disagreement remained for the definition of 'solid mass.' CONCLUSIONS: A modified Delphi method produced a lexicon of preferred terms and definitions to be used in the description of renal masses at CT and MRI. This lexicon should improve clarity and consistency of radiology reports and research related to renal masses.

New Arterial Phase Enhancing Nodules on MRI of Cirrhotic Liver: Risk of Progression to Hepatocellular Carcinoma and Implications for LI-RADS Classification.

OBJECTIVE. The purposes of this study were to evaluate the outcome of new arterial phase enhancing nodules at MRI of cirrhotic livers, including clinical and imaging factors that affect progression to hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), and to assess the diagnostic performance of Liver Imaging Reporting and Data System version 2018 (LI-RADSv2018) versus version 2017 (LI-RADSv2017) in categorizing these nodules. MATERIALS AND METHODS. A database search identified 129 new arterial phase enhancing, round, solid, space-occupying nodules in 79 patients with cirrhosis who underwent surveillance MRI. Three readers assessed the nodules for LI-RADS findings and made assessments based on the 2017 and 2018 criteria. Clinical information and laboratory values were collected. Outcome data were assessed on the basis of follow-up imaging and pathology results. Interreader agreement was assessed. Logistic regression and ROC curve analyses were used to assess the utility of the features for prediction of progression to HCC. RESULTS. Of the 129 nodules, 71 (55%) progressed to HCC. LI-RADSv2017 score, LIRADSv2018 score, and mild-to-moderate T2 hyperintensity were significant independent predictors of progression to HCC in univariate analyses. Serum α-fetoprotein level, hepatitis B or C virus infection as the cause of liver disease, and presence of other HCCs were significant predictors of progression to HCC in multivariate analyses. The rates of progression of LI-RADS category 3 and 4 observations were 38.1% and 57.6%, respectively, for LI-RADSv2017 and 44.4% and 69.9%, respectively, for LI-RADSv2018. CONCLUSION. New arterial phase enhancing nodules in patients with cirrhosis frequently progress to HCC. Factors such as serum α-fetoprotein level and presence of other HCCs are strong predictors of progression to HCC.

Process Improvement for Communication and Follow-up of Incidental Lung Nodules.

OBJECTIVE: Guideline-concordant follow-up of incidental lung nodules (ILNs) is suboptimal. We aimed to improve communication and tracking for follow-up of these common incidental findings detected on imaging examinations. METHODS: We implemented a process improvement program for reporting and tracking ILNs at a large urban academic health care system. A multidisciplinary committee designed, tested, and implemented a multipart tracking system in the electronic health record (EHR) that included Fleischner Society management recommendations for each patient. Plan-do-study-act cycles addressed gaps in the follow-up of ILNs, broken into phases of developing and testing components of the conceived EHR toolkit. RESULTS: The program resulted in standardized text macros with discrete categories and recommendations for ILNs, with ability to track each case in a work list within the EHR. The macros incorporated evidence-based guidelines and also input of collaborating clinical referrers in the respective specialty. The ILN macro was used 3,964 times over the first 2 years, increasing from 104 to over 300 uses per month. Usage spread across all subspecialty divisions, with nonthoracic radiologists currently accounting for 80% (56 of 70) of the radiologists using the system and 31% (1,230 of 3,964) of all captured ILNs. When radiologists indicated ILNs as warranting telephone communication to provider offices, completion was documented in 100% of the cases captured in the EHR-embedded tracking report. CONCLUSION: An EHR-based system for managing incidental nodules enables case tracking with exact recommendations, provider communication, and completion of follow-up testing. Future efforts will target consistent radiologist use of the system and follow-up completion.

Artificial Intelligence in Musculoskeletal Imaging: Current Status and Future Directions.

OBJECTIVE. The objective of this article is to show how artificial intelligence (AI) has impacted different components of the imaging value chain thus far as well as to describe its potential future uses. CONCLUSION. The use of AI has the potential to greatly enhance every component of the imaging value chain. From assessing the appropriateness of imaging orders to helping predict patients at risk for fracture, AI can increase the value that musculoskeletal imagers provide to their patients and to referring clinicians by improving image quality, patient centricity, imaging efficiency, and diagnostic accuracy.

Utility of an Automated Radiology-Pathology Feedback Tool.

PURPOSE: To determine the utility of an automated radiology-pathology feedback tool. METHODS: We previously developed a tool that automatically provides radiologists with pathology results related to imaging examinations they interpreted. The tool also allows radiologists to mark the results as concordant or discordant. Five abdominal radiologists prospectively scored their own discordant results related to their previously interpreted abdominal ultrasound, CT, and MR interpretations between August 2017 and June 2018. Radiologists recorded whether they would have followed up on the case if there was no automated alert, reason for the discordance, whether the result required further action, prompted imaging rereview, influenced future interpretations, enhanced teaching files, or inspired a research idea. RESULTS: There were 234 total discordances (range 30-66 per radiologist), and 70.5% (165 of 234) of discordances would not have been manually followed up in the absence of the automated tool. Reasons for discordances included missed findings (10.7%; 25 of 234), misinterpreted findings (29.1%; 68 of 234), possible biopsy sampling error (13.3%; 31 of 234), and limitations of imaging techniques (32.1%; 75/234). In addition, 4.7% (11 of 234) required further radiologist action, including report addenda or discussion with referrer or pathologist, and 93.2% (218 of 234) prompted radiologists to rereview the images. Radiologists reported that they learned from 88% (206 of 234) of discordances, 38.6% (90 of 233) of discordances probably or definitely influenced future interpretations, 55.6% (130 of 234) of discordances prompted the radiologist to add the case to his or her teaching files, and 13.7% (32 of 233) inspired a research idea. CONCLUSION: Automated pathology feedback provides a valuable opportunity for radiologists across experience levels to learn, increase their skill, and improve patient care.

Informatics Solutions for Driving an Effective and Efficient Radiology Practice.

Radiologists are facing increasing workplace pressures that can lead to decreased job satisfaction and burnout. The increasing complexity and volumes of cases and increasing numbers of noninterpretive tasks, compounded by decreasing reimbursements and visibility in this digital age, have created a critical need to develop innovations that optimize workflow, increase radiologist engagement, and enhance patient care. During their workday, radiologists often must navigate through multiple software programs, including picture archiving and communication systems, electronic health records, and dictation software. Furthermore, additional noninterpretive duties can interrupt image review. Fragmented data and frequent task switching can create frustration and potentially affect patient care. Despite the current successful technological advancements across industries, radiology software systems often remain nonintegrated and not leveraged to their full potential. Each step of the imaging process can be enhanced with use of information technology (IT). Successful implementation of IT innovations requires a collaborative team of radiologists, IT professionals, and software programmers to develop customized solutions. This article includes a discussion of how IT tools are used to improve many steps of the imaging process, including examination protocoling, image interpretation, reporting, communication, and radiologist feedback. ©RSNA, 2018.

Reduced Field-of-View Diffusion-Weighted Magnetic Resonance Imaging of the Prostate at 3 Tesla: Comparison With Standard Echo-Planar Imaging Technique for Image Quality and Tumor Assessment.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to compare image quality and tumor assessment at prostate magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) between reduced field-of-view diffusion-weighted imaging (rFOV-DWI) and standard DWI (st-DWI). METHODS: A total of 49 patients undergoing prostate MRI and MRI/ultrasound fusion-targeted biopsy were included. Examinations included st-DWI (field of view [FOV], 200 × 200 mm) and rFOV-DWI (FOV, 140 × 64 mm) using a 2-dimensional (2D) spatially-selective radiofrequency pulse and parallel transmission. Two readers performed qualitative assessments; a third reader performed quantitative evaluation. RESULTS: Overall image quality, anatomic distortion, visualization of capsule, and visualization of peripheral/transition zone edge were better for rFOV-DWI for reader 1 (P ≤ 0.002), although not for reader 2 (P ≥ 0.567). For both readers, sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy for tumor with a Gleason Score (GS) of 3 + 4 or higher were not different (P ≥ 0.289). Lesion clarity was higher for st-DWI for reader 2 (P = 0.008), although similar for reader 1 (P = 0.409). Diagnostic confidence was not different for either reader (P ≥ 0.052). Tumor-to-benign apparent diffusion coefficient ratio was not different (P = 0.675). CONCLUSIONS: Potentially improved image quality of rFOV-DWI did not yield improved tumor assessment. Continued optimization is warranted.

Do Incidental Hyperechoic Renal Lesions Measuring Up to 1 cm Warrant Further Imaging? Outcomes of 161 Lesions.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to determine the outcomes of hyperechoic renal lesions measuring 1 cm or less at ultrasound examination. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This retrospective study included 161 hyperechoic renal lesions measuring 1 cm or less at ultrasound that were evaluated with follow-up ultrasound, CT, or MRI. Follow-up imaging examinations were reviewed to assess for definitive lesion characterization or size stability. RESULTS: Follow-up included 11 unenhanced CT, 39 contrast-enhanced CT, 52 unenhanced and contrast-enhanced CT, two unenhanced MRI, 50 unenhanced and contrast-enhanced MRI, and 87 ultrasound examinations. At CT or MRI 58.4% of lesions were confirmed to be angiomyolipomas. At CT, one lesion represented a stone, and one a hyperdense cyst. At CT or MRI 11.8% of the lesions had no correlate; 3.1% were not visualized at follow-up ultrasound. An additional 23.6% were stable at 2-year follow-up imaging or beyond. Two lesions were evaluated with only contrast-enhanced CT less than 1 month after ultrasound, and the CT images did not show macroscopic fat or calcification or meet the criteria for a simple cyst. These lesions were considered indeterminate. One lesion in a 65-year-old man was imaged with unenhanced and contrast-enhanced CT 23 months after ultrasound, and the CT showed an increase in size, solid enhancement, and no macroscopic fat. This lesion was presumed to represent renal cell carcinoma. Overall, the one lesion presumed malignant and the two indeterminate lesions constituted 1.9% of the cohort. The other 98.1% of lesions were considered clinically insignificant. CONCLUSION: Most hyperechoic renal lesions measuring 1 cm or smaller were clinically insignificant, suggesting that such lesions may not require additional imaging. Patient demographics, symptoms and risk factors for malignancy may help inform the decision to forgo follow-up imaging of such lesions.

Impact of patient questionnaires on completeness of clinical information and identification of causes of pain during outpatient abdominopelvic CT interpretation.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the impact of questionnaires completed by patients at the time of abdominopelvic CT performed for abdominal pain on the completeness of clinical information and the identification of potential causes of pain, compared with order requisitions alone. METHODS: 100 outpatient CT examinations performed for the evaluation of abdominal pain were retrospectively reviewed. The specificity of the location of pain was compared between the order requisition and patient questionnaire. An abdominal imaging fellow (Reader 1) and abdominal radiologist (Reader 2) reviewed the examinations independently in two sessions 6 weeks apart (one with only the order requisition and one also with the questionnaire). Readers recorded identified causes of pain and rated their confidence in interpretation (1-5 scale; least to greatest confidence). RESULTS: In 30% of patients, the questionnaire provided a more specific location for pain. Among these, the pain was localized to a specific quadrant in 40%. With having access to the questionnaire, both readers identified additional causes for pain not identified in session 1 (Reader 1, 8.6% [7/81]; Reader 2 5.3% [4/75]). Additional identified causes of pain included diverticulitis, cystitis, peritoneal implants, epiploic appendagitis, osseous metastatic disease, umbilical hernia, gastritis, and SMA syndrome. Confidence in interpretation was significantly greater using the questionnaire for both readers (Reader 1: 4.8 ± 0.6 vs. 4.0 ± 0.5; Reader 2: 4.9 ± 0.3 vs. 4.7 ± 0.5, p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Patient questionnaires provide additional relevant clinical history, increased diagnostic yield, and improve radiologists' confidence. Radiology practices are encouraged to implement questionnaires and make these readily available to radiologists at the time of interpretation.

Comparative performance of non-contrast MRI with HASTE vs. contrast-enhanced MRI/3D-MRCP for possible choledocholithiasis in hospitalized patients.

PURPOSE: To compare the performance of non-contrast MRI with half-Fourier acquisition single-shot turbo spin echo (HASTE) vs. contrast-enhanced MRI/3D-MRCP for assessment of suspected choledocholithiasis in hospitalized patients. METHODS AND MATERIALS: 123 contrast-enhanced abdominal MRI/MRCP scans in the hospital setting for possible choledocholithiasis were retrospectively evaluated. Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography, intraoperative cholangiogram or documented clinical resolution served as the reference standard. Readers first evaluated the biliary tree using coronal and axial HASTE and other non-contrast sequences, and later reviewed the entire exam with post-contrast sequences and 3D-MRCP. Test performance for the image sets was compared for choledocholithiasis, acute hepatitis, cholangitis, and acute cholecystitis. Reader agreement, MRCP image quality, and confidence levels were also assessed. Clinical predictors of age and fever were tested for association with perceived need for contrast in biliary assessment. RESULTS: There were 27 cases of choledocholithiasis, 31 cases of acute hepatitis, 37 cases of acute cholecystitis, and 3 clinically diagnosed cases of acute cholangitis. Both the abbreviated and full contrast-enhanced/MRCP image sets resulted in high accuracy for choledocholithiasis (91.1-94.3% vs. 91.9-92.7%). There was no difference in sensitivity or specificity for either reader for any diagnosis between image sets (p > 0.40). 1 reader showed improved confidence (p < 0.001) with inclusion of MRCP and contrast-enhanced images, but neither confidence nor MRCP quality scores were associated with diagnostic accuracy. Patient age and fever did not predict the need for contrast-enhanced images. CONCLUSION: In hospitalized patients with suspected choledocholithiasis, performance of non-contrast abdominal MRI with HASTE is similar to contrast-enhanced MRI with 3D-MRCP, offering potential for decreased scanning time and improved patient tolerability.

The American College of Radiology Incidental Findings Committee Recommendations for Management of Incidental Lymph Nodes: A Single-Center Evaluation.

RATIONALE AND OBJECTIVES: To assess the American College of Radiology Incidental Findings Committee's (ACR-IFC) recommendations for defining and following up abnormal incidental abdominopelvic lymph nodes. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 59 lymph nodes satisfying ACR-IFC criteria as incidental (no malignancy or lymphoproliferative disorder) and with sufficient follow-up to classify as benign (biopsy, decreased size, ≥12-month stability) or malignant (biopsy, detection of primary malignancy combined with either fluorodeoxyglucose hyperactivity or increase in size of the node) were included. Two radiologists independently assessed nodes for suspicious features by ACR-IFC criteria (round with indistinct hilum, hypervascularity, necrosis, cluster ≥3 nodes, cluster ≥2 nodes in ≥2 stations, size ≥1 cm in retroperitoneum). Outcomes were assessed with attention to ACR-IFC's recommendation for initial 3-month follow-up. RESULTS: A total of 8.5% of nodes were malignant; 91.5% were benign. Two of six malignant nodes were stable at 3 to <6-month follow-up before diagnosis; diagnosis of four of five malignant nodes was facilitated by later development of non-nodal sites of tumor. A total of 13, 5, 8, and 9 nodes were deemed benign given a decrease at <3 months, 3-5 months, 6-11 months, or ≥12 months of follow-up. No ACR-IFC feature differentiated benign and malignant nodes (P = 0.164-1.0). A cluster ≥3 nodes was present in 88.1%-93.2% of nodes. A total of 96.6%-98.3% had ≥1 suspicious feature for both readers. Necrosis and hypervascularity were not identified in any node. CONCLUSIONS: ACR-IFC imaging features overwhelmingly classified incidental nodes as abnormal, although did not differentiate benign and malignant nodes. Nodes stable at the ACR-IFC's advised initial 3-month follow-up were occasionally proven malignant or decreased on further imaging. Refinement of imaging criteria to define nodes of particularly high risk, integrated with other clinical criteria, may help optimize the follow-up of incidental abdominopelvic lymph nodes.

Detection of prostate cancer local recurrence following radical prostatectomy: assessment using a continuously acquired radial golden-angle compressed sensing acquisition.

PURPOSE: To compare image quality and diagnostic performance for detecting local recurrence (LR) of prostate cancer after radical prostatectomy (RP) between standard dynamic contrast-enhanced (DCE) magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and a high spatiotemporal resolution, continuously acquired Golden-angle RAdial Sparse Parallel acquisition employing compressed sensing reconstruction ("GRASP"). METHODS: A search was conducted for prostate MRI examinations performed in patients with PSA ≥0.2 ng/mL after RP in whom follow-up evaluation allowed classification as positive (≥50% PSA reduction after pelvic radiation or positive biopsy) or negative (<50% PSA reduction after pelvic radiation; spontaneous PSA normalization) for LR, yielding 13 patients with standard DCE (11 LR+) and 12 with GRASP (10 LR+). Standard DCE had voxel size 3.0 × 1.9 × 1.9 mm and temporal resolution 5.5 s. GRASP had voxel size 1.0 × 1.1 × 1.1 cm and was retrospectively reconstructed at 2.3 s resolution. Two radiologists evaluated DCE sequences for image quality measures (1-5 scale) and the presence of LR. RESULTS: GRASP achieved higher scores than standard DCE from both readers (p < 0.001-0.136) for anatomic clarity (R1: 4.4 ± 0.8 vs. 2.8 ± 0.67 R2: 4.8 ± 0.5 vs. 3.2 ± 0.6), sharpness (3.6 ± 0.9 vs. 2.5 ± 0.7; 4.6 ± 0.5 vs. 2.6 ± 0.5), confidence in interpretation (3.8 ± 0.8 vs. 3.1 ± 0.9; 3.8 ± 1.0 vs. 3.1 ± 1.2), and conspicuity of detected lesions (4.7 ± 0.5 vs. 3.8 ± 1.1; 4.5 ± 0.5 vs. 3.8 ± 1.0). For detecting LR, GRASP also achieved higher sensitivity (70% vs. 36%; 80% vs. 45%), specificity (R1 and R2: 100% vs. 50%), and accuracy (75% vs. 38%; 83% vs. 46%) for both readers. CONCLUSION: Although requiring larger studies, high spatiotemporal resolution GRASP achieved substantially better image quality and diagnostic performance than standard DCE for detecting LR in patients with elevated PSA after prostatectomy.

Dynamic contrast-enhanced MRI of the prostate: An intraindividual assessment of the effect of temporal resolution on qualitative detection and quantitative analysis of histopathologically proven prostate cancer.

PURPOSE: To assess the effects of temporal resolution (RT ) in dynamic contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (DCE-MRI) on qualitative tumor detection and quantitative pharmacokinetic parameters in prostate cancer. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This retrospective Institutional Review Board (IRB)-approved study included 58 men (64 ± 7 years). They underwent 3T prostate MRI showing dominant peripheral zone (PZ) tumors (24 with Gleason ≥ 4 + 3), prior to prostatectomy. Continuously acquired DCE utilizing GRASP (Golden-angle RAdial Sparse Parallel) was retrospectively reconstructed at RT of 1.4 sec, 3.7 sec, 6.0 sec, 9.7 sec, and 14.9 sec. A reader placed volumes-of-interest on dominant tumors and benign PZ, generating quantitative pharmacokinetic parameters (ktrans , ve ) at each RT . Two blinded readers assessed each RT for lesion presence, location, conspicuity, and reader confidence on a 5-point scale. Data were assessed by mixed-model analysis of variance (ANOVA), generalized estimating equation (GEE), and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis. RESULTS: RT did not affect sensitivity (R1all : 69.0%-72.4%, all Padj = 1.000; R1GS≥4 + 3 : 83.3-91.7%, all Padj = 1.000; R2all : 60.3-69.0%, all Padj = 1.000; R2GS≥4 + 3 : 58.3%-79.2%, all Padj = 1.000). R1 reported greater conspicuity of GS ≥ 4 + 3 tumors at RT of 1.4 sec vs. 14.9 sec (4.29 ± 1.23 vs. 3.46 ± 1.44; Padj = 0.029). No other tumor conspicuity pairwise comparison reached significance (R1all : 2.98-3.43, all Padj ≥ 0.205; R2all : 2.57-3.19, all Padj ≥ 0.059; R1GS≥4 + 3 : 3.46-4.29, all other Padj ≥ 0.156; R2GS≥4 + 3 : 2.92-3.71, all Padj ≥ 0.439). There was no effect of RT on reader confidence (R1all : 3.17-3.34, all Padj = 1.000; R2all : 2.83-3.19, all Padj ≥ 0.801; R1GS≥4 + 3 : 3.79-4.21, all Padj = 1.000; R2GS≥4 + 3 : 3.13-3.79, all Padj = 1.000). ktrans and ve of tumor and benign tissue did not differ across RT (all adjusted P values [Padj ] = 1.000). RT did not significantly affect area under the curve (AUC) of Ktrans or ve for differentiating tumor from benign (all Padj = 1.000). CONCLUSION: Current PI-RADS recommendations for RT of 10 seconds may be sufficient, with further reduction to the stated PI-RADS preference of RT ≤ 7 seconds offering no benefit in tumor detection or quantitative analysis. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: 3 J. MAGN. RESON. IMAGING 2017;45:1464-1475.