Structured Digital Self-Assessment of Patient Anamnesis Prior to Computed Tomography: Performance Evaluation and Added Value.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the performance of a tablet-based, digitized structured self-assessment (DSSA) of patient anamnesis (PA) prior to computed tomography (CT). Of the 317 patients consecutively referred for CT, the majority (n = 294) was able to complete the tablet-based questionnaire, which consisted of 67 items covering social anamnesis, lifestyle factors (e.g., tobacco abuse), medical history (e.g., kidney diseases), current symptoms, and the usability of the system. Patients were able to mark unclear questions for a subsequent discussion with the radiologist. Critical issues for the CT examination were structured and automatically highlighted as "red flags" (RFs) in order to improve patient interaction. RFs and marked questions were highly prevalent (69.5% and 26%). Missing creatinine values (33.3%), kidney diseases (14.4%), thyroid diseases (10.6%), metformin (5.5%), claustrophobia (4.1%), allergic reactions to contrast agents (2.4%), and pathological TSH values (2.0%) were highlighted most frequently as RFs. Patient feedback regarding the comprehensibility of the questionnaire and the tablet usability was mainly positive (90.9%; 86.2%). With advanced age, however, patients provided more negative feedback for both (p = 0.007; p = 0.039). The time effort was less than 20 min for 85.1% of patients, and faster patients were significantly younger (p = 0.046). Overall, the DSSA of PA prior to CT shows a high success rate and is well accepted by most patients. RFs and marked questions were common and helped to focus patients' interactions and reporting towards decisive aspects.

Demonstration of a malignant soft-tissue lymphoma during triple-phase skeletal scintigraphy.

Malignant soft-tissue neoplasms may be demonstrated in the course of triple-phase skeletal scintigraphy due to the presence of either abnormal vascularity or calcifications. We report the unusual case of a malignant lymphoma which was detected in the vascular phases of a triple-phase skeletal scintigraphic study but was not visualized utilizing conventional radioangiographic techniques. Lymphoma should be included in the differential diagnosis of soft-tissue neoplasms demonstrable by scintiangiography.

Demonstration of an infected popliteal (Baker's) cyst with three-phase skeletal scintigraphy.

A case is reported of an infected popliteal (Baker's) cyst demonstrated with triple phase skeletal scintigraphy. Although double-contrast arthrography and ultrasonography are currently the modalities most frequently employed to diagnose the presence of popliteal cysts, they may also be detected utilizing this radionuclide technique in the course of evaluation for knee joint disease or septic arthritis. Radionuclide studies may be more sensitive for the evaluation of associated inflammatory disease involving the knee joint.

Subcapsular splenic hematoma vs intrasplenic pancreatic pseudocyst.

An intrasplenic pancreatic pseudocyst may mimic a subcapsular splenic hematoma. Misdiagnosis of this entity may have serious consequences. Particular care should be taken when a patient presents with a cystic mass in the region of the spleen and a history of chronic alcohol abuse, regardless of the presence or absence of a history of a traumatic episode. Thin-needle aspiration is the current diagnostic modality of choice. A high fluid amylase level establishes the diagnosis of an intrasplenic pancreatic pseudocyst.

Exercise 201thallium myocardial scans in patients with disease limited to the secondary branches of the left coronary system.

Coronary disease (greater than or equal to 50% narrowing) confined to only the diagonal branch of the left anterior descending artery or to the marginal branch of the left circumflex artery, or both, is uncommon. Only 19 patients with disease as defined above were identified in a group of 1000 consecutive patients with an angiographic diagnosis of coronary heart disease. All 19 patients were studied because of angina pectoris and all underwent stress myocardial perfusion scintigraphy with 201Tl (201thallium) during maximal treadmill exercise testing (exercise electrocardiogram: E/ECG). Ten patients (52%) had positive E/ECG's; seven patients (36%) had positive 201Tl and 13 patients (68%) had one or both tests positive. In 12 patients, the diseased branch was small, i.e. it supplied a comparatively small portion of myocardium, and in seven patients it was determined to be large. The 201Tl test results were positive in four out of seven patients (57%) with large diseased branches, as compared with three out of 12 (25%) with small diseased branches (p: NS). Also, three out of seven patients (42%) with large diseased branches had positive E/ECG's as compared with seven out of 12 patients (58%) with small diseased branches (p: NS). Patients with branch disease may present with typical angina pectoris, however, they are rare and thus not likely to account for the majority of false-negative 201Tl test results among symptomatic patients with CHD. Approximately one-third of the patients with branch disease have positive 201Tl test results, one-half have positive E/ECG's, and in two-thirds, one or both tests are positive.