Current practice of emergency radiology in Turkey and future expectations: a survey study

PURPOSE: The development of emergency radiology (ER) in Turkey has accelerated with the increase in the number of patients admitted to emergency departments. We aimed to present and discuss the responses to a survey distributed to radiologists in Turkey, which included questions about the current practice of ER and future expectations. METHODS: A survey with 29 questions enquiring about the infrastructure of respondents' hospitals and radiology units, information about emergency services and ER (including patient volume), the number of staff and equipment, the ER working plan and reporting method, and training in the field of ER were distributed to members of the Turkish Radiological Society by email. RESULTS: The response rate was 21.97% (328/1.493). The presence of distinct ER units in radiology departments was confirmed by 40.55% of respondents, while for 34.25%, ER was located inside the emergency room. Of the respondents, 26.96% stated they believed that emergency cases should be reported by emergency radiologists, and the necessity for an ER subunit in the emergency room was agreed upon by 58.64% of contributors. The majority of respondents (69.54%) agreed with the opinion that residents should receive their ER training in an ER unit. CONCLUSION: Keeping abreast of current ER practices and radiologists' expectations may be helpful for improving national ER practices and academic studies.

Four weeks of exercise regimen for sedentary workers with rounded shoulder posture: a randomized controlled study

ABSTRACT BACKGROUND: Rounded shoulder (RS) posture causes neck and shoulder pathologies. Mechanical correction taping (MCT) is often incorporated into postural corrective therapies; however, its effects on muscle stiffness are unclear. OBJECTIVE: We investigated the effect of MCT with different tape fabrics, along with exercise, on upper trapezius and pectoralis minor muscle stiffness and the posture of sedentary workers. DESIGN AND SETTING: A randomized controlled study was performed at Aydın Adnan Menderes University, Aydın, Turkey. METHODS: The study included 39 workers with RS posture. Two intervention groups (performance tape: PT and classic tape: CT) were taped twice a week and administered a home exercise program for 4 weeks. The control (C) group performed only home exercises. RS was measured using an acromion-testing table (AT), stiffness using shear wave elastography ultrasound, and shoulder angle (SA) using a smartphone application at baseline and 4 weeks. Time and group interactions were determined using 3 × 2 mixed analysis of variance. RESULTS: Intragroup analyses revealed a significant main effect of time on AT distance (η2 = 0.445) and SA (η2 = 0.325) in the PT and C groups (P < 0.05) and left upper trapezius stiffness (η2 = 0.287) in the CT and C groups (P < 0.05). In the post hoc analyses, no difference was noted between the groups from baseline to 4 weeks (P > 0.05). CONCLUSION: Scapular MCT added to postural exercises did not show any difference between the intervention groups and controls in terms of muscle stiffness and posture in sedentary workers.

Four weeks of exercise regimen for sedentary workers with rounded shoulder posture: a randomized controlled study.

BACKGROUND: Rounded shoulder (RS) posture causes neck and shoulder pathologies. Mechanical correction taping (MCT) is often incorporated into postural corrective therapies; however, its effects on muscle stiffness are unclear. OBJECTIVE: We investigated the effect of MCT with different tape fabrics, along with exercise, on upper trapezius and pectoralis minor muscle stiffness and the posture of sedentary workers. DESIGN AND SETTING: A randomized controlled study was performed at Aydin Adnan Menderes University, Aydin, Turkey. METHODS: The study included 39 workers with RS posture. Two intervention groups (performance tape: PT and classic tape: CT) were taped twice a week and administered a home exercise program for 4 weeks. The control (C) group performed only home exercises. RS was measured using an acromion-testing table (AT), stiffness using shear wave elastography ultrasound, and shoulder angle (SA) using a smartphone application at baseline and 4 weeks. Time and group interactions were determined using 3 × 2 mixed analysis of variance. RESULTS: Intragroup analyses revealed a significant main effect of time on AT distance (η2 = 0.445) and SA (η2 = 0.325) in the PT and C groups (P < 0.05) and left upper trapezius stiffness (η2 = 0.287) in the CT and C groups (P < 0.05). In the post hoc analyses, no difference was noted between the groups from baseline to 4 weeks (P > 0.05). CONCLUSION: Scapular MCT added to postural exercises did not show any difference between the intervention groups and controls in terms of muscle stiffness and posture in sedentary workers.

Evaluation of normal-appearing white matter with perfusion and diffusion MRI in patients with treated glioblastoma.

OBJECTIVE: We tried to reveal how the normal appearing white matter (NAWM) was affected in patients with glioblastoma treated with chemo-radiotherapy (CRT) in the period following the treatment, by multiparametric MRI. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 43 multiparametric MRI examinations of 17 patients with glioblastoma treated with CRT were examined. A total of six different series or maps were analyzed in the examinations: Apparent Diffusion Coefficient (ADC) and Fractional Anisotropy (FA) maps, Gradient Echo (GRE) sequence, Dynamic susceptibility contrast (DSC) and Arterial spin labeling (ASL) perfusion sequences. Each sequence in each examination was examined in detail with 14 Region of Interest (ROI) measurements. The obtained values were proportioned to the contralateral NAWM values and the results were recorded as normalized values. Time dependent changes of normalized values were statistically analyzed. RESULTS: The most prominent changes in follow-up imaging occurred in the perilesional region. In perilesional NAWM, we found a decrease in normalized FA (nFA), rCBV (nrCBV), rCBF (nrCBF), ASL (nASL)values (p < 0.005) in the first 3 months after treatment, followed by a plateau and an increase approaching pretreatment values, although it did not reach. Similar but milder findings were present in other NAWM areas. In perilesional NAWM, nrCBV values were found to be positively high correlated with nrCBF and nASL, and negatively high correlated with nADC values (r: 0.963, 0.736, - 0.973, respectively). We also found high correlations between the mean values of nrCBV, nrCBF, nASL in other NAWM areas (r: 0.891, 0.864, respectively). DISCUSSION: We showed that both DSC and ASL perfusion values decreased correlatively in the first 3 months and showed a plateau after 1 year in patients with glioblastoma treated with CRT, unlike the literature. Although it was not as evident as perfusion MRI, it was observed that the ADC values also showed a plateau pattern following the increase in the first 3 months. Further studies are needed to explain late pathophysiological changes. Because of the high correlation, our results support ASL perfusion instead of contrast enhanced perfusion methods.

Diagnostic performance of shear wave elastography and diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging in cervical lymph nodes: a comparative study

Background/aim: To investigate the potential diagnostic value of point shear wave elastography (pSWE) and the contribution of concurrent diffusion weighted magnetic resonance imaging (DW-MRI) to diagnostic performance in patients with cervical lymphadenopathy. Materials and methods: This cross-sectional study included 116 cervical lymph nodes of 94 patients. All lymph nodes were evaluated before the treatment or histopathological sampling. Gray scale ultrasonographic features, elastographic stiffness and apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) values were measured and recorded. Lymph nodes were divided into benign and malignant groups with histopathological findings. Results: Short axis measurement, axis ratio, hilum morphology, vascularization patterns, pSWE, and ADC values were the most significant parameters in logistic regression tests. The median stiffness of malignant nodes was higher and the mean ADC values were lower than others. Also, lymphoproliferative disorders had the lowest ADC values (p < 0.001). Area under the curve values for pSWE and DW-MRI were 0.852 [95% confidence interval (CI), 0.779­0.925], 0.790 (95% CI, 0.695­0.885), respectively. The accuracy rate increased from 79.3% to 85.3% when the pSWE was combined with the ultrasonography (US). Conclusion: The use of pSWE combined with conventional US will reduce the number of biopsies and may be sufficient to differentiate the lymph nodes.

Is early diagnosis of myofascial pain syndrome possible with the detection of latent trigger points by shear wave elastography?

PURPOSE: The aim of the study was to investigate the contribution of shear wave elastography to the diagnosis of myo-fascial pain syndrome (MPS) of the upper part of the trapezius. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Ethical committee approval was obtained for the study. Thirty volunteer women with trigger points in the upper part of the trapezius muscle and 30 healthy women with a similar age distribution were included in the study. The patient group performed a self-stretching exercise program for 4 weeks. No intervention was applied to the control group. Muscle stiffness values of both groups were evaluated with shear wave elastography (SWE), and pain levels of all volunteers were evaluated by the Visual Analogue Scale at the beginning and the end of the study. The statistical analyses were performed using SPSS version 18.0. RESULTS: There was a significant decrease after the treatment in terms of upper trapezius muscle stiffness and the pain levels in the patient group (p < 0.001 and p < 0.001). In the patient group, there was a moderate correlation between the decrease in the pain level and the reductions in muscle stiffness (r = 0.595). In control group, there was no significant difference in terms of both muscle stiffness and pain levels before and after treatment (p > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: SWE is a reliable method for detecting latent trigger points in MPS, and it can be used for evaluating the response to treatment.

The Effect of Spinal and General Anesthesia on Metastatic Lymph Node Flow in Bladder Cancer Surgery: A Pilot Study.

INTRODUCTION: The sympathetic regulation of contractile function of lymphatic vessels has received much attention in terms of metastasis mechanism nowadays in animal studies. The aim of the study to evaluate the effect of spinal or general anesthesia on flow in malignant lymph nodes in patients undergoing bladder tumor surgery with doppler ultrasound. METHODS: This prospective, observational, pilot study was performed on the patients (ASA II and III, aged 45-85) who scheduled for elective bladder tumor surgery under spinal or general anesthesia from July 2018 to August 2019. Patients were divided into two groups, spinal anesthesia and general anesthesia. Resistivity index, pulsatility index, peak systolic velocity and end diastolic velocity measurements were recorded preoperatively and postoperatively n the inguinal lymph nodes by doppler ultrasound. RESULTS: In the malignant lymph nodes, the pulsatility index value decreased with the spinal anesthesia (n=12) compared to the preoperative period (p = 0.002) but increased in the general anesthesia group (n=11) (p = 0.003). There was a significant difference in postoperative pulsatility index between the two groups (p = 0.0001) (cut off => 5.49, sensitivity 81.82%, specificity 91.67%). Postoperative peak systolic velocity values were significantly higher than preoperative values only in general anesthesia group (p = 0.021). CONCLUSIONS: Lymphatic flow in metastatic lymph nodes decreased by spinal anesthesia compared to general anesthesia evaluated by using doppler ultrasound in our study. Although this new mechanism is new in the reduction of lymphatic metastasis during cancer surgery, prospective randomized studies evaluating long-term recurrence and survival are warranted.

Neck pain in rounded shoulder posture: Clinico-radiologic correlation by shear wave elastography.

AIM: The frequency of neck pain increases in adolescents and young adults. Using smart phones and computers for a long time causes posture disorders such as rounded shoulder (RSP) and forward head postures, and these posture disorders cause neck pain. The aim of the study is to analyse the correlation between shoulder and neck angles and the stiffness of the upper trapezius and pectoralis minor muscles in patients with RSP. METHOD: Patients with neck pain examined by shear wave elastography were screened retrospectively. Patients with RSP were determined. Of these patients, whose had evaluated for shoulder and neck angles with a smart phone-based photogrammetric method were assigned. Patients with a history of operation/trauma, connective tissue or neurological disease were excluded. A total of 39 female patients were included in the study. Age, height, weight, elastography measurements, cervical and shoulder angles were noted. Obtained data were statistically analysed with SPSS 22.0 program. RESULTS: Cervical and shoulder angles of the patients were 52.2 ± 3.8 and 57.91 ± 9.4, respectively. The stiffness of the right and left upper trapezius muscles and right and left pectoralis minor muscles were 42.5 ± 14.1, 47.1 ± 17.1, 20.5 ± 8.0 and 17.9 ± 8.4, respectively. In multiple regression analysis, it was observed that the stiffness of the left upper trapezius muscle was positively correlated with the shoulder angle. CONCLUSION: The upper trapezius muscle stiffness increased in RSP. It can reveal the relationship between RSP and neck pain.

Role of shear wave elastography in predicting the metabolic and androgenic alterations in patients with polycystic ovary syndrome.

AIM: To evaluate the variation in tissue stiffness caused by the changes in ovarian volume and stroma in polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) using a novel method of ultrasonography, that is shear wave elastography (SWE). The current study also aimed to evaluate the potential applications of this method in predicting the metabolic and androgenic alterations in patients with PCOS. METHODS: The present study included 33 patients with PCOS. The blood samples for the metabolic and androgenic parameters and SWE values pertaining to the patients were obtained on the same day during the early follicular phase. The predictive ability of SWE to reflect the metabolic and androgenic abnormalities was evaluated using the receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC) analysis. RESULTS: The mean SWE value pertaining to the group with higher total testosterone levels was significantly lower, compared to the group with normal testosterone levels (p = 0.041). The ROC analysis revealed that the predictive potential of SWE was statistically significant in regard to the serum testosterone levels alone (area under the curve [AUC] = 0.755, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.573-0.938, p = 0.041). There was no significant relationship between the SWE values and metabolic parameters. CONCLUSIONS: Based on the results of the present study, decreased SWE values appear to be associated with increased serum testosterone levels. However, the present study did not observe any significant relationship between the SWE values and metabolic parameters. SWE can be used as a practical and non-invasive method to predict the serum testosterone levels during the follow-up evaluations of the patients with PCOS.

A new method: measurement of pancreas volume in computerised tomography as a diagnostic guide for acute pancreatitis.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate whether measuring pancreas volume with abdominal tomography in patients with severe abdominal pain can predict acute pancreatitis. METHODS: The case-control study was conducted at Adnan Menderes University from January 1, 2015, to January 1, 2017, and comprised patients who were diagnosed with acute pancreatitis. Pancreas volume measurements of patients and control group were made with Telemed Ekinoks software using freehand technique. Presence of a correlation between pancreas volume and pancreatitis was found in patients aged <57 years and a cut-off value was calculated for pancreatitis in this particular patient group. RESULTS: Of the 183 subjects, 132(72%) were patients with a mean age of 59.6±16.5 years, and 51(28%) were controls with a mean age of 55.8±18.6 years (p=0.170). The difference between the groups in terms of pancreas volume was significant (p<0.001). There was a negative correlation between age and pancreas volume among the patients (p<0.001), the correlation was not significant among the controls (p=0.898). Among the subjects aged <57 years, the cut-off value was calculated at 95.055, and sensitivity to pancreas volume was 70.91% while specificity was 82.14%. Positive predictive value was 88.6%. CONCLUSIONS: High pancreas volume with pancreatitis was observed in patients aged <57 years.

Is shear wave elastography relevant in the diagnosis of polycystic ovarian syndrome?

AIM: The aim of this study was to determine the contribution of Shear Wave Elastography (SWE) to the diagnosis of polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS). MATERIAL AND METHODS: Thirty-seven patients with PCOS diagnosis criteria were included in the study. Sixteen volunteer patients without hormonal disturbances and with normal menstrual cycles were evaluated as the control group. Gray scale ultrasonography (US) and SWE measurements in both ovaries were performed by a single radiologist who was blinded to the clinical and laboratory results. RESULTS: The SWE measurements in PCOS group were 8.4±2.0 kPafor the right ovary and 9.4±3.9 kPa for the left ovary and in the control group 7.8±4.1 for the right ovary and 8.6±2.5 kPa for the left ovary. There was no statistically significant difference between the PCOS and the control group according to the SWE results (for right ovary p=0.356, for left ovary p=0.258, and total ovary p=0.293). CONCLUSIONS: The ovarian morphology isstill the most reliable imaging finding in the diagnosis of PCOS, although it is controversial especially among adolescents. Although the diagnostic efficacy of SWE is demonstrated in a variety of soft tissue lesions, we did not find any significant contribution of SWE to the diagnosis PCOS. Therefore, the promising value of elastography is yet to be defined for the diagnosis of PCOS.

Role of Contrast Enhancement and Corrected Attenuation Values of Renal Tumors in Predicting Renal Cell Carcinoma (RCC) Subtypes: Protocol for a Triphasic Multi-Slice Computed Tomography (CT) Procedure.

BACKGROUND: To distinguish RCC subtypes based on contrast enhancement features of CT images. MATERIAL/METHODS: In total, 59 lesions from 57 patients were included. All patients underwent multi-slice CT imaging with a triphasic protocol, which included non-contrast, corticomedullary, nephrographic and urographic phases. Contrast enhancement features of renal masses were evaluated in terms of CT attenuation values (AV) and differences in contrast density; the aorta or renal parenchyma were evaluated based on corrected or relative values. RESULTS: Clear cell RCC (ccRCC) showed more intense contrast enhancement than other RCC subtypes. When differentiating ccRCC from other RCC subtypes, a cut-off AV of 86-89 HU, aorta-based corrected AV of 89-95 HU and renal parenchyma-based corrected AV of 87-95 HU showed a diagnostic accuracy of 81-86%, 86-88% and 74-78%, respectively, in the corticomedullary phase. Furthermore, a cutoff of 2.42-2.72 for the relative contrast enhancement ratio, a cutoff of 2.59-2.74 for the aorta-based corrected relative contrast enhancement ratio and a cutoff of 2.63-2.76 for the renal parenchyma-based attenuation ratio showed a diagnostic accuracy of 83-88%, 88-90% and 81%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The most reliable parameters for differentiating ccRCC from other RCC subtypes are aorta-based corrected AV and aorta-based corrected relative contrast enhancement values in the corticomedullary phase.

Pathological rupture of the normal spleen: Review with the literature.

INTRODUCTION: Atraumatic spontaneous rupture of the spleen is an uncommon but fatal condition that may coexist with other disease. Our case was presented with obvious CT findings of a spontaneous rupture of the spleen. PRESENTATION OF THE CASE: A 75-year-old woman admitted to the emergency service with abdominal pain. Although there was no evident splenomegaly in the abdominal CT examination, the patient was diagnosed with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma, and densities in harmony with the free air were detected in the spleen and the abdomen. DISCUSSION: It is clear that a healthy spleen does not rupture without marked trauma; hence, a doctor must carefully investigate the underlying pathology. Splenomegaly, the infiltration of the spleen and the capsule and consequently a splenic infarct and hemorrhage were set forth as the causes of the rupture of the spleen in lymphomas. However, our case had no splenomegaly or splenic involvement of lymphoma in the pathological examination. Even in the absence of splenomegaly, rupture may develop for such reasons as inflammation and embolism. Splenic infarcts are also in the developmental mechanism. CONCLUSION: Although atraumatic rupture of the spleen is not prevalent, it is a case which must be considered in an acute abdominal pain as it has highly fatal outcomes without CT exam.

A novel modified PAIR technique using a trocar catheter for percutaneous treatment of liver hydatid cysts: a six-year experience.

PURPOSE: We aimed to demonstrate the success and reliability of a novel puncture, aspiration, injection, and reaspiration (PAIR) technique in liver hydatid cysts. METHODS: Percutaneous treatment with ultrasonographic guidance was performed in 493 hepatic hydatid cysts in 374 patients. Patients were treated with a new PAIR technique by single puncture method using a 6F trocar catheter. The results of this novel technique were evaluated with regards to efficacy and safety of the procedure and complication rates. RESULTS: Out of 493 cysts, 317 were Gharbi type I (WHO CE 1) and 176 were Gharbi type II (WHO CE 3A). Of all cysts, 13 were referred to surgery because of cystobiliary fistulization. Recurrence was observed in 11 cysts one month later. Therefore, the success rate of the PAIR technique was 97.7% (469/480). Minor complications (fever, urticaria-like reactions, biliary fistula) were seen in 44 treated patients (12%, 44/374); the only major complication was reversible anaphylactic shock which was observed in two patients (0.5%, 2/374). CONCLUSION: This novel modified PAIR technique may be superior to catheterization by Seldinger technique due to its efficiency, easier application, lower severe complication rate, and lower cost. Further comparative studies are required to confirm our observations.

[An analysis of meniscal extrusion and associated knee joint lesions by magnetic resonance imaging]. / Menisküs tasmasi ve beraberinde görülen diz eklemi lezyonlarinin manyetik rezonans görüntüleme ile degerlendirilmesi.

OBJECTIVES: We investigated the frequency of meniscal extrusion and associated knee joint lesions by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in patients with meniscal tears. METHODS: We retrospectively evaluated MRI findings of 100 patients (41 males, 59 females; mean age 54 + or - 10 years; range 27 to 76 years) with meniscal tears in 126 knee joints. Using coronal images, extrusion was defined as a distance of = or > 3 mm between the peripheral border of the meniscus and the edge of the tibial plateau. All the knees were assessed with respect to the localization and type of meniscal tear and extrusion, accompanying joint effusion, cruciate ligament pathologies, and degenerative bone and cartilage changes. RESULTS: Meniscal extrusion was detected in 31 knee joints (24.6%), with a mean extrusion of 3.72 mm. All extrusions were found to be in the posterior horn of the medial meniscus and were associated with radial tears (n=18, 58.1%), radial-oblique tears (n=9, 29%), complex tears (n=2, 6.5%), and flap tears (n=2, 6.5%). Meniscal tears with extrusion differed significantly from those without extrusion with respect to the localization of all the tears being in the posterior horn of the medial meniscus (100% vs. 60%) and the higher frequency (58.1% vs. 20%) of radial tears (p<0.05). There were no significant differences in the types and frequencies of accompanying pathologies seen in meniscal tears with and without extrusion (p>0.05). CONCLUSION: Meniscal extrusion is a common finding particularly in osteoarthritis. It is mostly seen in the medial meniscus and accompanied by radial tears. Therefore, its presence should alert to the possibility of a radial tear extending to the meniscal root.