Radiology reporting of obesity: a survey of patient and clinician attitudes.

AIM: To determine whether obesity information obtained via imaging techniques is desirable for clinicians and patients, and to investigate whether it impacts clinical decision-making. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Parallel surveys were designed to assess patient and clinician attitudes to the medical utility and social stigma of reporting obesity on radiology reports performed for other reasons. RESULTS: Where obesity was noted at medical imaging performed for any reason, clinicians and patients strongly agreed that it should be included in the radiology report (5.9 and 5.8, respectively, on a seven-point preference score ranging from strongly disagree [1] to strongly agree [7]). Clinicians and patients indicated a preference for a quantitative report. Clinicians somewhat disagreed and patients disagreed that a radiology report describing obesity would be considered insulting (3 and 2.1, respectively). Clinicians and patients agreed that they would be more likely to discuss overweight/obesity if it was described in a radiology report (5.3 and 6.1 respectively). Clinicians and patients agreed that radiology reports describing obesity would influence future management/behaviour (4.5 and 6.2, respectively). Clinicians strongly disagreed that they would avoid sending patients for scans if obesity was reported (1.3). Patients also disagreed that including such information on a report would result in imaging avoidance (1.9). CONCLUSION: Both clinicians and patients indicate a clear preference for obesity-related information on radiology reports for examinations performed for any reason. Surveyed attitudes suggest including such information is not considered insulting, and is unlikely to result in avoidance of imaging.

Detection of Alexandrium tamarensis by rapid PCR analysis.

Alexandrium tamarensis is a toxigenic dinoflagellate found in coastal waters worldwide. A critical factor in alleviating the health and economic threats posed by this species is the development of a rapid and reliable method for detection. This study stream-lined a labor- and resource-intensive protocol for the isolation of A. tamarensis ribosomal DNA (rDNA). Subcultures of A. tamarensis were established in water samples from several coastal Atlantic sites. A commercial DNA isolation kit protocol for cultured cells was used for isolation of the dinoflagellate DNA. Samples were amplified by PCR using primers specific for a 700-bp sequence of A. tamarensis rDNA. It was determined that this method facilitated the detection of 10(-4) ng/microL of A. tamarensis DNA. Furthermore, the kit enabled A. tamarensis to be isolated from the water sources with little signal degradation. This is a valuable technique for the rapid detection of A. tamarensis, even before cell numbers are large enough for morphological identification.

Osteoid osteoma: excision with scintimetric guidance.

The definite diagnosis of osteoid osteoma relies on the demonstration of the nidus, best shown by CT, which also provides precise preoperative localization of the nidus. While bone-block excision to remove the nidus is feasible in the long bones, there may be unacceptable sequelae in the vertebral column and small bones of the hands. By precisely localizing the nidus, radionuclide scintimetry permits excellent therapeutic results, with minimal morbidity.