Multisite Implementation of Radiology-TEACHES (Technology-Enhanced Appropriateness Criteria Home for Education Simulation).

PURPOSE: After encouraging results from a single-institution pilot, a novel case-based education portal using integrated clinical decision support at the simulated point of order entry was implemented at multiple institutions to evaluate whether the program is scalable and results transferable. The program was designed to fill key health systems' science gaps in traditional medical education curricula, ultimately aiding the transition from volume to value in health care. The module described uses commonly encountered medical vignettes to provide learners with a low-stakes educational environment to improve their awareness and apply curricular content regarding appropriate resource utilization, patient safety, and cost. METHODS: In 2016 and 2017, the team implemented the modules at eight US medical schools. A total of 199 learners participated in this institutional review board-approved study; 108 completed the module, and 91 were in the control group. RESULTS: The module group had higher posttest scores than their control group peers, after controlling for pretest scores (ß = 4.05, P < .001). The greatest knowledge gains were on questions related to chest radiography (22% improvement) and adnexal cysts (20.33% improvement) and the least on items related to pulmonary embolism (0.33% improvement). The majority of learners expressed satisfaction with the educational content provided (70.4%) and an increased perception to appropriately select imaging studies (65.2%). CONCLUSIONS: This program is promising as a standardized educational resource for widespread implementation in developing health systems science curricula. Learners at multiple institutions judged this educational resource as valuable and, through this initiative, synthesized practice behaviors by applying evidence-based guidelines in a cost-effective, safe, and prudent manner.

The utility of cranial ultrasound as a screening tool for neonatal ECMO.

Background Neurologic complications including hemorrhage, ischemia, and infarction are often identified in neonates undergoing extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) and may contribute to the high morbidity observed in ECMO survivors. Screening for intracranial complications is reliant on bedside transcranial ultrasound (CUS) prior to and during ECMO therapy, and advanced imaging [i.e. computed tomography (CT)/magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)] is recommended after completion of ECMO support. The goal of this study is to describe the correlation of intracranial complications identified on CUS during ECMO and MRI after completion of ECMO. Methods Fifty-five neonates underwent ECMO support at the Children's Hospital of Georgia at Augusta University from January 1, 2012 to December 31, 2017. Forty-four (80%) had a brain MRI performed prior to transfer or discharge. Ultrasound studies were reviewed by a single blinded pediatric radiologist and MRIs were reviewed by a single blinded neuro-radiologist. Results Of the 44 neonates with post-ECMO MRI, CUS during ECMO identified intracranial lesions in nine neonates, which were all confirmed on post-ECMO MRI. Sixteen subjects (46%) with unremarkable CUS during ECMO had identifiable lesions on post-ECMO MRI, yielding a sensitivity of 36% and a specificity of 100% for CUS in the detection of intracranial lesions. Despite the lack of correlation between CUS and MR, 84.6% of survivors exhibited normal development at 24 months of age. Conclusion While necessary for the identification of intracranial lesions during neonatal ECMO, CUS demonstrated low correlation with post-ECMO MRI in the identification of intracranial lesions, which supports Extracorporeal Life Support Organization (ELSO) recommendations.

Survey of gadolinium-based contrast agent utilization among the members of the Society for Pediatric Radiology: a Quality and Safety Committee report.

BACKGROUND: Gadolinium-based contrast agents (GBCAs) have been used for magnetic resonance (MR) imaging over the last three decades. Recent reports demonstrated gadolinium retention in patients' brains following intravenous administration. Since gadolinium is a highly toxic heavy metal, there is a potential for adverse effects from prolonged retention or deposition, particularly in children. For this reason, the Society (SPR) for Pediatric Radiology Quality and Safety committee conducted a survey to evaluate the current status of GBCAs usage among pediatric radiologists. OBJECTIVE: To assess the usage of GBCAs among SPR members. MATERIALS AND METHODS: An online 15-question survey was distributed to SPR members. Survey questions pertained to the type of GBCAs used, protocoling workflow, requirement of renal function or pregnancy tests, and various clinical indications for contrast-enhanced MRI examinations. RESULTS: A total of 163 survey responses were compiled (11.1% of survey invitations), the majority of these from academic institutions in the United States. Ninety-four percent reported that MR studies are always or usually protocoled by pediatric radiologists. The most common GBCA utilized by survey respondents were Eovist (60.7%), Ablavar (45.4%), Gadovist (38.7%), Magnevist (34.4%) and Dotarem (32.5%). For several clinical indications, survey responses regarding GBCA administration were concordant with American College of Radiology (ACR) Appropriateness Criteria, including seizures, headache and osteomyelitis. For other indications, including growth hormone deficiency and suspected vascular ring, survey responses revealed potential overutilization of GBCAs when compared to ACR recommendations. CONCLUSION: Survey results demonstrate that GBCAs are administered judiciously in children, yet there is an opportunity to improve their utilization with the goal of reducing potential future adverse effects.

Web Applications for Patient Communication.

Communication between imaging professionals and patients can help achieve many goals, including improved patient understanding of imaging-related diagnostic and treatment options, better compliance with appropriate imaging screening procedures, and improved efficiency of service. The explosive growth of out-of-pocket consumer spending on health care has heightened health care shopping, thus making patient communication an important goal of any imaging practice or health care organization. Furthermore, the Merit-Based Incentive Payment System introduced by CMS will publicly disclose physicians' quality ratings, which are in part dependent on patient engagement. The authors summarize the rationale for web communication with patients, the range of content that should be considered, and the technology options. The aim is to help imaging providers develop organized patient communication strategic and implementation plans.

A case of Rosai-Dorfman disease in a pediatric patient with cardiac involvement.

Rosai-Dorfman disease (RDD) involves abnormal proliferations of oddly behaving histocytes that are not derived from the Langerhan's Cell linage. These collections tend to occur within lymph nodes, with occasional extra nodal presentation. While RDD is a rare entity itself, extra nodal cases are even more so, with even fewer reporting cardiac involvement, and previously only in adults. This report describes the disease in a pediatric patient who had the unique feature of an extra nodal cardiac mass. The patient, who was known to have sickle cell disease, was initially erroneously thought to have acute chest syndrome. Sudden changes in the patient's status, including development of 3rd degree heart block, demanded investigation with additional imaging. Chest CT revealed a mass arising from the cardiac interatrial septum and encircling the entire thoracic aorta. Imaging features of Rosai-Dorfman disease are nonspecific, complicating the diagnosis. We present this case with discussion of this extremely uncommon entity. We describe the diagnostic methods, the differential diagnosis, and the treatment options.

Paucity of biliary ducts: A rare etiology of neonatal cholestasis.

We report a case of a newborn with cholestasis that was diagnosed as nonsyndromic Alagille syndrome. The main feature of the disease is a paucity of biliary ducts. There are two known types of the disease: the syndromic type which is associated with other congenital defects and the nonsyndromic type without other anomalies detected at birth. We describe the case and discuss its clinical and radiologic findings. We also discuss the various etiologies of cholestasis that are included in the differential diagnosis.

Daughter cyst sign.

The daughter cyst sign is a specific indicator of an uncomplicated ovarian cyst and pathologically represents a stimulated ovarian follicle. This finding must be differentiated from an ectopic pregnancy in a patient who has the potential to become pregnant. We report an uncomplicated ovarian cyst in a 3-year-old female with McCune-Albright syndrome and precocious puberty mimicking an ectopic pregnancy.

Pediatric rhabdomyosarcoma at presentation: can cross-sectional imaging findings predict pathologic tumor subtype?

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of the study is to determine whether there are cross-sectional imaging features of pediatric rhabdomyosarcoma that are specific to the different pathologic subtypes of the tumor. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Medical records of 14 pediatric patients who were diagnosed with rhabdomyosarcoma were reviewed retrospectively. Patient demographics, including age and sex, as well as final pathologic report were obtained. The initial CT, MRI, or both obtained at presentation, prior to the diagnosis being established, were reviewed by two radiologists. We recorded tumor features including site, size, margins, local extension, and presence of metastases. Presence of calcification, hemorrhage, or necrosis as well as attenuation and heterogeneity of the tumor were also recorded. RESULTS: Ten of our fourteen patients were formally diagnosed with the embryonal subtype of rhabdomyosarcoma, while three were found to have the alveolar subtype, and one subtype was poorly differentiated. There was no significant difference in the attenuation and in the heterogeneity of the tumor between the embryonal and the alveolar subtype on CT. CONCLUSION: Imaging features at presentation, such as attenuation and heterogeneity, could not correlate to the pathologic subtype of pediatric rhabdomyosarcoma.

A case of clear cell sarcoma of the kidney.

Clear cell renal sarcoma is a rare tumor and comprises 4% of primary pediatric malignant renal tumors. It is known as an aggressive tumor with poor prognosis. Clinically and radiographically, it resembles Wilms tumor. We present a case of a child with an abdominal mass that was diagnosed as clear cell sarcoma of her right kidney.

Hyperostosis - an unusual radiographic presentation of Myelodysplastic Syndrome transformed to Acute Myeloid Leukemia.

Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is also referred to non-lymphocytic leukemia in the literature. It comprises about 15% of the childhood leukemia. There are multiple subtypes of AML from M0-M7 with approximately 45% of the cases being M0-M2 and the remaining subtypes being rare. The definitive diagnosis relies on bone marrow biopsy showing bone marrow infiltration with leukemic cells. We describe a rare radiographic presentation of myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) transformed to AML in an 8 month old boy who presented with a orbital wall fracture, periosteal reaction, and mixed lytic and sclerotic lesions.

The language of modern medicine: it's all Greek to me.

The Greek language has shaped and formed the lexicon of modern medicine. Although medical terminology may seem complex and difficult to master, the clarity and functionality of this language owe a great debt to the tongue of the classical Greeks.