Venous thromboembolism testing practices after orthopaedic trauma: prophylaxis regimen does not influence testing patterns.

Objectives: To determine venous thromboembolism (VTE) testing patterns in an orthopaedic trauma population and to evaluate for differences in VTE surveillance by prophylaxis regimen through a secondary analysis of the ADAPT trial. Design: Prospective randomized trial. Setting: Level I trauma center. Patients: Three hundred twenty-nine adult (18 years and older) trauma patients presenting with an operative extremity fracture proximal to the metatarsals/carpals or any pelvic or acetabular fracture requiring VTE prophylaxis. Intervention: VTE imaging studies recorded within 90 days post injury. Main Outcome Measurements: Percentage of patients tested for VTE were compared between treatment groups using Fisher's exact test. Subsequently, multivariable regression was used to determine patient factors significantly associated with risk of receiving a VTE imaging study. Results: Sixty-seven patients (20.4%) had VTE tests ordered during the study period. Twenty (29.9%) of these 67 patients with ordered VTE imaging tests had a positive finding. No difference in proportion of patients tested for VTE by prophylaxis regimen (18.8% on aspirin vs. 22.0% on LMWH, P = 0.50) was observed. Factors associated with increased likelihood of VTE testing included White race (adjusted odds ratio [aOR]: 2.61, 95% CI: 1.26-5.42), increased Injury Severity Score (aOR for every 1-point increase: 1.10, 95% CI: 1.05-1.15), and lower socioeconomic status based on the Area Deprivation Index (aOR for every 10-point increase: 1.14, 95% CI: 1.00-1.30). Conclusions: VTE surveillance did not significantly differ by prophylaxis regimen. Patient demographic factors including race, injury severity, and socioeconomic status were associated with differences in VTE surveillance. Level of Evidence: Level I, Therapeutic.

[Utility of applying a diagnostic algorithm in giant cell arteritis based on the level of clinical suspicion]. / Utilidad de la aplicación de un algoritmo diagnóstico en la arteritis de células gigantes en función del grado de sospecha clínica.

INTRODUCTION: To reach the diagnosis of giant cell arteritis (GCA), signs, symptoms, laboratory tests, imaging findings, and occasionally anatomopathological results from temporal artery biopsy are evaluated. This study describes the results of an algorithm analysis based on clinical and ultrasound evaluation of patients with suspected GCA, highlighting its diagnostic utility by contrasting its use in different clinical suspicion scenarios. METHOD: Prospective multicenter study evaluating patients referred with suspected GCA through a preferential circuit (fast track), grouping them according to low or high clinical suspicion of GCA. Each of these scenarios is evaluated by biopsy and ultrasound for all patients, resulting in positive, indeterminate, or negative outcomes, yielding six possible groups. Potential areas of improvement are explored, emphasizing that, following a negative or indeterminate ultrasound, 18-FDG-PET-CT could be recommended. We analyze the results and application of a diagnostic algorithm, confirming its efficiency and applicability based on whether there is high or low clinical suspicion. RESULTS: Sixty-nine patients (41 in the high suspicion group and 28 in the low suspicion group). There were 41 new diagnoses of GCA: 35 in the high suspicion group and 6 in the low suspicion group. Using ultrasound alone, the initial algorithm has an overall diagnostic efficiency of 72.5%, which improves to 80.5% when including 18F-FDG-PET/CT. The negative predictive value of ultrasound in patients with low clinical suspicion is 84.6%, and the positive predictive value of ultrasound in patients with high suspicion is 100%, improving sensitivity from 57.1% to 80.8% with 18F-FDG-PET/CT in this scenario. Temporal artery biopsy was performed on all patients, with no differences in sensitivity or specificity compared to ultrasound. In cases where all three tests - ultrasound, biopsy, and 18F-FDG-PET/CT - are performed, sensitivity increases to 92.3% in patients with high clinical suspicion. CONCLUSION: In situations of high clinical suspicion, the algorithm provides sufficient information for the diagnosis of GCA if ultrasound is positive. A negative ultrasound is sufficient to rule out the diagnosis in the context of low clinical suspicion. 18-FDG-PET-CT may be useful in patients with high suspicion and negative or indeterminate ultrasound results.

Downstream Imaging Studies Do Not Significantly Improve Outcome in Most Patients with Chest Pain Who Did Not Reach Their Target Heart Rate on a Stress ECHO Study.

Echocardiographic stress tests are often used to evaluate patients who complain of chest pain. However, some patients fail to reach the target heart rate required for the test to be conclusive (usually defined as 85% of the predicted maximal heart rate based on the patient's age) and are often sent for additional imaging tests, such as myocardial perfusion imaging (MPI) or cardiac computed tomography angiography (CTA). Few studies have evaluated the effectiveness of these additional tests in patients who present with chest pain but did not meet the heart rate requirements for a stress test. The primary objective of the study was to evaluate the efficacy of additional imaging tests for patients who experience chest pain during daily activities but are unable to reach the target heart rate currently required for an echocardiographic stress test. The study group included 415 consecutive patients who underwent a stress echocardiogram, did not achieve their target heart rate, and did not demonstrate abnormal changes during the test. The control group consisted of 415 consecutive patients who did reach their target heart rate and demonstrated no signs of ischemia. Demographic and clinical data, medication use, imaging test results (MPI, CTA, and/or coronary catheterization) and documented cardiac events that occurred during 1 year of follow-up were obtained from the electronic medical records. Of the 415 patients in the study group, 73 (17.6%) were referred to another imaging test within 12 months. Of these 73 patients, 59 underwent MPI and 14 underwent cardiac CTA. In 12 of these patients (16.4%) the test was considered to be abnormal, but only 7 patients (1.7%) subsequently underwent a percutaneous intervention (PCI). In the control group, 28 (6.7%) patients were referred for another imaging test. Of these 28 patients, 14 underwent MPI and 14 underwent cardiac CTA. None of these tests were found to be abnormal, but two patients (0.5%) underwent a PCI (p = 0.2 between groups). There were no deaths during the study period and no patients underwent bypass surgery. The majority of the patients who underwent PCI had additional clinical risk factors (diabetes, hypertension, and/or known coronary artery disease), had taken a beta blocker within 24 h prior to the test, and/or did not reach a heart rate above 78% of their target heart rate. Our study suggests that in most patients with chest pain who do not show ischemic changes on a stress echocardiogram, additional imaging studies can be safely deferred, even if the required target heart rate was not reached. However, in patients with diabetes and/or known coronary disease, those who took a beta blocker 24 h prior to the test, or those who did not achieve a heart rate above 78% of the current target heart rate, additional imaging studies should be considered.

Gender Differences in the Impact of Recommendations on Diagnostic Imaging Tests: A Retrospective Study 2007-2021.

(1) Background: The frequency of imaging tests grew exponentially in recent years. This increase may differ according to a patient's sex, age, or socioeconomic status. We aim to analyze the impact of the Council Directive 2013/59/Euratom to control exposure to radiation for men and women and explore the impact of patients' age and socioeconomic status; (2) Methods: The retrospective observational study that includes a catchment population of 234,424. We included data of CT, mammography, radiography (conventional radiography and fluoroscopy) and nuclear medicine between 2007-2021. We estimated the associated radiation effective dose per test according using previously published evidence. We calculated a deprivation index according to the postcode of their residence. We divided the study in 2007-2013, 2014-2019 and 2020-2021 (the pandemic period). (3) Results: There was an increase in the number of imaging tests received by men and women after 2013 (p < 0.001), and this increase was higher in women than in men. The frequency of imaging tests decreased during the pandemic period (2020-2021), but the frequency of CT and nuclear medicine tests increased even during these years (p < 0.001) and thus, the overall effective mean dose. Women and men living in the least deprived areas had a higher frequency of imaging test than those living in the most deprived areas. (4) Conclusions: The largest increase in the number of imaging tests is due to CTs, which account for the higher amount of effective dose. The difference in the increase of imaging tests carried out in men and women and according to the socioeconomic status could reflect different management strategies and barriers to access in clinical practice. Given the low impact of the available recommendations on the population exposure to radiation and the performance of high-dose procedures such as CT, deserve special attention when it comes to justification and optimization, especially in women.

Association of medical tests use with care continuity in primary care service: evidence from the Department of Veterans Affairs.

BACKGROUND: Continuity of care (CoC) is an important component of health care delivery that can have cost implications and improve patient outcomes. We analysed data obtained from the Department of Veterans Affairs to examine the relationship between CoC and use of image-oriented diagnostic tests in patients with comorbid chronic conditions. METHODS: A longitudinal, retrospective cohort study involving participants ≥18 years old, with comorbid diabetes and chronic kidney disease. We used a multivariate linear regression model to test whether greater care continuity, measured using a care continuity index (CCI), is associated with less frequent use of diagnostic tests. RESULTS: Total of 267,442 patients and 8,142,036 tests were included. Of the diagnostic tests we chose to evaluate, the 4 most frequently ordered tests were X-ray (45.6%), electrocardiogram (EKG, 16.8%), computerized tomography (CT, 13.4%), and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI, 3.4%). Overall, greater CCI was associated with fewer use of tests (P < 0.001). A 1 standard deviation (SD, 0.27) increase in CCI was associated with 4.2% decrease (P < 0.001) in number of tests. But a mixed pattern existed. For X-ray and EKG, greater continuity was associated with less testing, 6.2% (P < 0.001) and 3.3% (P < 0.05) reductions, respectively. Whereas, for CT and MRI, greater continuity was associated with more testing, 2.3% (P < 0.001) and 1.4% increases (P < 0.01), respectively. CONCLUSION: Overall, greater CoC was associated with fewer use of tests, representing a greater presumed efficiency of care. This has implications for designing health care delivery.

Principios básicos de ecografía pulmonar en neonatología / Basic notions of lung ultrasound in neonatology

La ecografía pulmonar (EP) ha ganado terreno en el diagnóstico de la mayoría de las patologías respiratorias presentes desde el nacimiento. Es altamente sensible a las variaciones del contenidode aire y fluidos pulmonares, y constituye un verdadero densitómetro del parénquimapulmonar con una sensibilidad superior a la de los estudios radiológicos. Es no invasiva, rápida, fácil de realizar junto a la cama del paciente y, a diferencia de la radiología convencional, no presenta riesgos de radiación. Además, nosproporciona información dinámica en tiempo real en una variedad de entornos neonatales y, al igual que las evaluaciones del corazón y el cerebro, puede ser realizada por el neonatólogo. El objetivo de esta publicación es mostrarlos principales artefactos e imágenes que sepueden encontrar en la EP neonatal, así como los diferentes patrones de aireación, y destacar su utilidad en el estudio de los trastornosrespiratorios más frecuentes del neonato.

Lung ultrasound (LU) has gained ground in the diagnosis of most respiratory conditions present since birth. It is highly sensitive to variations in air content and pulmonary fluids and functions as a true densitometer of the lung parenchyma with a sensitivity superior to that of radiological studies. A LU is a non-invasive, fast and easy tool that can be used at the patient's bedside and, unlike conventional radiology, does not pose risks of radiation. In addition, a LU provides real-time dynamic information in a variety of neonatal settings and, like heart and brain examinations, can be performed by the neonatologist. The objective of this article is to describe the main artifacts and images that can be found in the neonatal LU, as well as the different aeration patterns, and to highlight their usefulness in the study of the most frequent respiratory disorders of neonates.

Basic notions of lung ultrasound in neonatology. / Principios básicos de ecografía pulmonar en neonatología.

Lung ultrasound (LU) has gained ground in the diagnosis of most respiratory conditions present since birth. It is highly sensitive to variations in air content and pulmonary fluids and functions as a true densitometer of the lung parenchyma with a sensitivity superior to that of radiological studies. A LU is a non-invasive, fast and easy tool that can be used at the patient's bedside and, unlike conventional radiology, does not pose risks of radiation. In addition, a LU provides real-time dynamic information in a variety of neonatal settings and, like heart and brain examinations, can be performed by the neonatologist. The objective of this article is to describe the main artifacts and images that can be found in the neonatal LU, as well as the different aeration patterns, and to highlight their usefulness in the study of the most frequent respiratory disorders of neonates.

La ecografía pulmonar (EP) ha ganado terreno en el diagnóstico de la mayoría de las patologías respiratorias presentes desde el nacimiento. Es altamente sensible a las variaciones del contenido de aire y fluidos pulmonares, y constituye un verdadero densitómetro del parénquima pulmonar con una sensibilidad superior a la de los estudios radiológicos. Es no invasiva, rápida, fácil de realizar junto a la cama del paciente y, a diferencia de la radiología convencional, no presenta riesgos de radiación. Además, nos proporciona información dinámica en tiempo real en una variedad de entornos neonatales y, al igual que las evaluaciones del corazón y el cerebro, puede ser realizada por el neonatólogo. El objetivo de esta publicación es mostrar los principales artefactos e imágenes que se pueden encontrar en la EP neonatal, así como los diferentes patrones de aireación, y destacar su utilidad en el estudio de los trastornos respiratorios más frecuentes del neonato.

Factors for heterogeneous outcomes of angina and myocardial ischemia without obstructive coronary atherosclerosis.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: The absence of obstructive coronary artery disease (CAD) in patients with angina is common, but its prognosis is debated. We investigated outcomes of such patients to identify predictors of cardiovascular events. METHODS: We selected 1014 patients with angina, evidence of myocardial ischemia at the electrocardiogram (ECG) exercise test or imaging stress tests, and nonobstructive CAD (absence of lumen diameter reduction ≥50%) at coronary angiography between 1999 and 2015. Note that, 1905 age- and risk factors-matched asymptomatic subjects served as "real-world" comparators. The primary endpoint was the occurrence of all-cause death or myocardial infarction. RESULTS: At 6-years median follow-up (interquartile range, 3-9 years), the primary endpoint occurred in 53 patients (5.5%, 0.92/100 person-years). Besides similar event rates compared with asymptomatic subjects (hazard ratio [HR] 0.85, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.62-1.15, p = 0.28), the index population showed a very heterogeneous prognosis. Patients with nonobstructive CAD (HR 1.85, 95% CI 1.02-3.37, p = 0.04, compared with "normal" coronary arteries) and ischemia at imaging tests (HR 2.11, 95% CI 1.07-4.14, p = 0.03, compared with ischemia detected only at the ECG exercise test) were at higher risk and those with both these components showing even >10-fold event rates as compared with the absence of both. Three-hundred and twenty-five patients (34%) continued to experience angina, 69 (7.2%) underwent repeat coronary angiography, and 14 (1.5%) had consequent coronary revascularization for atherosclerosis progression. CONCLUSION: Apart from the impaired quality of life, angina without obstructive CAD has an overall benign but very heterogeneous prognosis. Nonobstructive CAD and myocardial ischemia at imaging tests both confer a higher risk.

Comparison of thoracic ultrasonography and thoracic radiography to detect active infectious bronchopneumonia in hospitalized dairy calves.

BACKGROUND: The best test between thoracic ultrasonography (TUS) and thoracic radiography (TR) or the best combination of tests (series or parallel) to detect active infectious bronchopneumonia (BP) in hospitalized dairy calves remains unknown. HYPOTHESIS/OBJECTIVES: To estimate performances of TUS and TR to detect active BP in hospitalized dairy calves and to determine the best strategy for using these tests based on a panel diagnosis method (PDM). Performances of TUS and TR were hypothesized to be equivalent. ANIMALS: Fifty hospitalized dairy calves (≥7 days old; ≤100 kg; standing; pCO2 ≥ 53 mm Hg; any reason of presentation). METHODS: Each calf prospectively and sequentially underwent physical examination, thoracic auscultation, blood analyses, and TUS and TR. Three blinded experts determined whether active BP was present/absent based on PDM. Krippendorff's alpha measured interexpert agreement. The sensitivities (Se) and specificities (Sp) of TUS and TR alone and in series or parallel were compared (McNemar's test; P < .05). RESULTS: Interexpert agreement was moderate at 0.58 (95%CI: 0.42; 0.73). The Se and Sp of TUS were 0.84 (95%CI: 0.60; 0.97) and 0.74 (95%CI: 0.57; 0.86), respectively. The Se and Sp of TR were 0.89 (95%CI: 0.67; 0.99) and 0.58 (95%CI: 0.39; 0.75), respectively. No significant difference was found in the Se and Sp of TUS and TR when analyzed alone, in series or in parallel. CONCLUSION: Thoracic ultrasonography or TR alone equally detected active BP in hospitalized dairy calves. Series or parallel analysis provided no additional benefit. Its ease of use and widespread accessibility support using TUS as a first-line test to detect active BP in hospitalized dairy calves.

Factores clínicos determinantes para la realización de pruebas de imagen en cáncer de próstata resistente a la castración no metastásico en la práctica clínica: resultados del estudio IDENTIFICA / Clinical drivers for imaging testing in non-metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer in clinical practice: Results of the IDENTIFICA study

Introducción: El objetivo del estudio consistió en describir los factores clínicos que llevan a los médicos a realizar pruebas de imagen para identificar metástasis en pacientes con cáncer de próstata (CP) resistente a la castración no metastásico (CPRCnm).MétodosEstudio observacional transversal realizado en los servicios de Urología de 38 hospitales españoles; 188 pacientes diagnosticados con CPRCnm sometidos una prueba de imagen para evaluar la presencia de metástasis fueron incluidos. Se solicitó a los médicos, en una única visita del estudio, que especificaran los factores clínicos que los llevaron a realizar estas pruebas. Se presentaron los resultados de las pruebas de imagen y las características clínicas de los pacientes desde el diagnóstico de CP. Se utilizaron análisis de regresión para determinar factores predictivos de los resultados de las pruebas de imagen.ResultadosEl valor del «prostate-specific antigen» (por sus siglas en inglés, PSA), fue el factor más importante que determinó la solicitud de pruebas de imagen (57,1%), seguido de un seguimiento habitual (16,5%) y del tiempo de duplicación del PSA (TDPSA) (12,0%). Aunque estos factores no guardaron relación con la detección de metástasis, los pacientes con una concentración de PSA ≥ 20 ng/ml tuvieron un mayor riesgo de metástasis que aquellos con una concentración <4 ng/ml (p=0,004), mientras que los pacientes con CPRC diagnosticados de metástasis (CPRCm) tuvieron una mayor mediana de concentración de PSA (20,9; intervalo intercuartílico [IIC]: 6,7-38,6) que aquellos con CPRCnm (9,1; IIC: 5,0-18,0) (p=0,005). Un 66% no se sometió a ninguna prueba de imagen entre el diagnóstico de CPRC y la visita del estudio (10,6, IIC: 4,0-19,5 meses). El tratamiento con intención curativa en el momento del diagnóstico de CP y la puntuación de Gleason predijeron un mayor tiempo transcurrido entre los diagnósticos de CP y CPRC. (AU)

Introduction: The aim of the study was to describe the clinical drivers that lead physicians to perform imaging tests in search of metastasis in non-metastasic castration prostate resistant cancer (nmCRPC) patients.MethodsObservational, cross-sectional study conducted at the Departments of Urology of 38 Spanish hospitals. The study included 188 patients diagnosed with nmCRPC who underwent an imaging test for the assessment of metástasis. In one study visit, physicians were requested to specify the clinical factors that led them to perform these tests. The results of the imaging tests and the clinical characteristics of the patients since the time of prostate cancer (PC) diagnosis, were reported. Regression analyses were used to determine predictors of imaging test results.ResultsProstate-specific antigen (PSA) level was the most important driver to order imaging tests (57.1%), followed by regular follow-up (16.5%) and PSA doubling time (PSADT) (12.0%). Although these drivers were not associated to detection of metastasis, patients with PSA levels ≥20 ng/mL had a greater risk of metastasis than patients with PSA levels <4ng/mL (P=.004) and CRPC patients diagnosed with metastasis (mCRPC) had higher median PSA levels (20.9; interquartile range [IQR]: 6.7-38.6) than nmCRPC (9.1; IQR: 5.0-18.0) (P=.005). Sixty-six percent of the patients did not undergo any imaging test after CRPC diagnosis until the study visit (10.6, IQR: 4.0-19.5 months). Curative-intent treatment at PC diagnosis and Gleason score predicted longer time from PC to CRPC diagnosis.ConclusionsPhysicians based their decisions to order imaging tests for metastasis detection in nmCRPC patients mainly on PSA and PSA kinetics, including the regular follow-up stated by guideline recommendations. (AU)

Clinical drivers for imaging testing in non-metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer in clinical practice: Results of the IDENTIFICA study. / Factores clínicos determinantes para la realización de pruebas de imagen en cáncer de próstata resistente a la castración no metastásico en la práctica clínica: resultados del estudio IDENTIFICA.

INTRODUCTION: The aim of the study was to describe the clinical drivers that lead physicians to perform imaging tests in search of metastasis in non-metastasic castration prostate resistant cancer (nmCRPC) patients. METHODS: Observational, cross-sectional study conducted at the Departments of Urology of 38 Spanish hospitals. The study included 188 patients diagnosed with nmCRPC who underwent an imaging test for the assessment of metástasis. In one study visit, physicians were requested to specify the clinical factors that led them to perform these tests. The results of the imaging tests and the clinical characteristics of the patients since the time of prostate cancer (PC) diagnosis, were reported. Regression analyses were used to determine predictors of imaging test results. RESULTS: Prostate-specific antigen (PSA) level was the most important driver to order imaging tests (57.1%), followed by regular follow-up (16.5%) and PSA doubling time (PSADT) (12.0%). Although these drivers were not associated to detection of metastasis, patients with PSA levels ≥20 ng/mL had a greater risk of metastasis than patients with PSA levels <4ng/mL (P=.004) and CRPC patients diagnosed with metastasis (mCRPC) had higher median PSA levels (20.9; interquartile range [IQR]: 6.7-38.6) than nmCRPC (9.1; IQR: 5.0-18.0) (P=.005). Sixty-six percent of the patients did not undergo any imaging test after CRPC diagnosis until the study visit (10.6, IQR: 4.0-19.5 months). Curative-intent treatment at PC diagnosis and Gleason score predicted longer time from PC to CRPC diagnosis. CONCLUSIONS: Physicians based their decisions to order imaging tests for metastasis detection in nmCRPC patients mainly on PSA and PSA kinetics, including the regular follow-up stated by guideline recommendations.

Imaging for detection of osteomyelitis in people with diabetic foot ulcers: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Osteomyelitis is an infection of the bone which can occur in people with diabetic foot ulcers. It can be diagnosed using X-rays, ultrasound, scintigraphy, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) and positron emission tomography (PET). OBJECTIVES: To review the evidence on the diagnostic accuracy of imaging tests to diagnose osteomyelitis in people with diabetic foot ulcers. METHODS: We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis. MEDLINE, EMBASE and other databases were searched to July 2018. Risk of bias was evaluated. Diagnostic accuracy was estimated using bivariate meta-analyses. RESULTS: Thirty-six studies were included in the meta-analysis. Eight studies were at high risk of bias MRI had high diagnostic accuracy (22 studies: 96.4 % sensitivity (95 % CI 90.7-98.7); 83.8 % specificity (76.0-89.5)). PET scans also had high accuracy (6 studies: 84.3 % sensitivity (52.8-96.3); 92.8 % specificity (75.7-98.2)), and possibly also SPECT, but with few studies (3 studies: 95.6 % sensitivity (76.0-99.3); 55.1 % specificity (19.3-86.3)). Scintigraphy (17 studies: 84.2 % sensitivity (76.8-89.6); 67.7 % specificity (56.2-77.4)), and X-rays (16 studies: 61.9 % sensitivity (50.5-72.1); 78.3 % specificity (62.9-88.5)) had generally inferior diagnostic accuracy. CONCLUSIONS: MRI and PET both reliably diagnose osteomyelitis in diabetic foot ulcer patients. SPECT may also have good diagnostic accuracy, although evidence is limited. This review confirms most current guidelines, showing that MRI may be the preferable test in most cases, given its wider availability and the lack of potentially harmful ionising radiation.

Do doctors who order more routine medical tests diagnose more cancers? A population-based study from Ontario Canada.

BACKGROUND: The overuse of medical tests leads to higher costs, wasting of resources, and the potential for overdiagnosis of disease. This study was designed to determine whether the patients of family doctors who order more routine medical tests are diagnosed with more cancers. METHOD: A retrospective population-based cross-sectional study using administrative health care data in Ontario Canada. We investigated the ordering of 23 routine laboratories and imaging tests 2008-20012 by 6849 Ontario family physicians on their 4.9 million rostered adult patients. We compared physicians' test utilization and calculated case-mix adjusted observed to expected (O:E) utilization ratios to categorize physicians as Typical, Higher or Lower testers. Age-sex standardized rates (cases/10 000 patient years) and Rate Ratios were determined for cancers of the thyroid, prostate, breast, lymphoma, kidney, melanoma, uterus, ovary, lung, esophagus, and pancreas for each tester group. RESULTS: There was wide variation in the use of the 23 tests by Ontario physicians. 26% and 24% of physicians were deemed Higher Testers for laboratory and imaging tests, while 41% and 38% were Typical Testers. The patients of higher test users were diagnosed with more cancers of thyroid (laboratory [RR 1.61, 95% CI 1.39-1.87] and imaging [RR 2.08, 95% CI 0.88-2.30]) and prostate (laboratory [RR 1.10, 95% CI 1.03-1.18] and imaging [RR 1.05, 95% CI 1.00-1.10]). CONCLUSION: There is a wide variation in the ordering of routine and common medical tests among Ontario family doctors. The patients of higher testers were diagnosed with more thyroid and prostate cancers.

Diagnosis of metastasis in castration-resistant prostate cancer patients: decision algorithm in imaging tests. / Diagnóstico de metástasis en pacientes con cáncer de próstata resistente a la castración: algoritmo de decisión en pruebas de imagen.

INTRODUCTION: In castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC), early detection of metastases is essential for the selection of treatment, and prevention of bone complications. However detecting incipient metastases remains a challenge as the conventional radiological tests (bone scintigraphy or computerised tomography) lack sufficient sensitivity. Diagnostic imaging techniques are currently available that have greater sensitivity and specificity, but are little used due to shortfalls in the recommendations. OBJECTIVE: To create an algorithm that indicates the most suitable diagnostic imaging techniques for the different M0 CRPC patient profiles based on the scientific evidence. EVIDENCE ACQUISITION: Meetings were held with eight experts in Urology, Pathological Anatomy, Radiodiagnostics and Nuclear Medicine organised by the Andalusian Association of Urology, in which the recommendations and scientific evidence on each of the diagnostic imaging techniques were reviewed. SUMMARY OF THE EVIDENCE: We present the current recommendations for the detection of metastasis in M0 CRPC patients, the patients that would benefit from early detection, and summarise the evidence to support the use of each of the new techniques. CONCLUSIONS: Techniques such as 18F-Choline PET/CT or DWWB MRI and probably open MRI have been demonstrated to have good sensitivity and specificity for patients with low PSA (<10ng/ml). Their inclusion in routine clinical practice will help improve the early detection of metastasis in CRPC patients.

Viewpoints in the diagnosis and treatment of cardiac sarcoidosis: Proposed modification of current guidelines.

Isolated cardiac sarcoidosis is a generally accepted disease condition, and the low yield of endomyocardial biopsy because of patchy involvement is also well known. However, current guidelines still require histologic confirmation of granuloma for the diagnosis of cardiac sarcoidosis, either in myocardial or extra-cardiac tissues. Therefore, only a presumptive diagnosis of chronic multifocal myocarditis of unknown origin can be made in a large number of patients in whom the only considerable diagnosis is cardiac sarcoidosis based on current knowledge. Even if these patients are treated with the same treatment scheme as that for cardiac sarcoidosis, which may not cause harm in the absence of a definite diagnosis, the true spectrum of cardiac sarcoidosis could not be determined for deciding the optimal treatment strategy. In addition, the current recommendations for dose, duration of initial steroid therapy, and treatment in patients who did not respond to initial steroid therapy are not easy to follow in real-world practice. We would like to propose a scoring system for the diagnosis of cardiac sarcoidosis and suggest our adoption or modification of the diverse current recommendations.

The status of diagnosis and treatment to intracranial hypotension, including SIH.

Intracranial hypotension, especially spontaneous intracranial hypotension (SIH), is a well-recognized entity associated with cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leaks, and has being recognized better in resent years, while still woefully inadequate. An increasing number of factors including iatrogenic factors are realized to involve in development and progression of intracranial hypotension. The diagnosis remains difficult due to the various clinical manifestations, some of which are nonspecific and easily to be neglected. Multiple imaging tests are optional in CSF leakage identification while clinicians are still confronted with difficulties when making selection resulting from superiorities and disadvantages of different imaging tests. Treatments for intracranial hypotension are multifarious but evidence is anecdotal. Values of autologous epidural blood patching (EBP), the mainstay of first-line interventional treatment currently, is getting more and more regards while there are no systematic review of its efficacy and risks. Hereby, the purpose of this review was to reveal the present strategy of intracranial hypotension diagnosis and treatment by reviewing literatures, coupled with our experience in clinical work.

Management of patients with incidental findings in imaging tests: a large prospective single-center study.

We prospectively followed up patients with an incidental finding detected in an image test to assess the additional interventions carried out and the clinical implications of the incidental findings detected. Out of 474 patients with an incidental finding, 63 (13.3%) were further evaluated, and of these patients, 25 (39.7%) had clinical implications. Patients who had an X-ray (24/76, 31.6%), with a preoperative examination (19/77 24.7%), and with an incidental finding in the thoracic cavity (34/117, 29.1%) or in the head/neck (6/28, 21.4%) were more likely to have additional evaluations.

Is burnout associated with referral rates among primary care physicians in community clinics?

BACKGROUND: There is little empirical research examining the effects of burnout on objective measures of primary care physicians' behaviour in the medical encounter. OBJECTIVES: We studied possible associations between primary care physicians' burnout and the rates of referrals. We conceptualized referral rate as a negative outcome of burnout because high and unnecessary referral rates incur extra costs to health care systems. METHODS: In this cross-sectional study, 136 primary care physicians in one district of one Israeli health maintenance organization (HMO) completed the Maslach Burnout Inventory in the presence of an interviewer. Data on each physician's objective workload and number of referrals for high- and low-cost imaging tests, specialist clinics and treatments by nurses were collected from the HMO's databases. RESULTS: Due to high correlations between referral rate indicators, a Confirmatory Factor Analysis revealed one factor: 'referrals for diagnostic tests and specialist clinics'. Path Analysis using Structural Equation Modelling explained a total of 18.1% of referral rate variance, with board-certified specialist mostly associated (ß = 0.31, P < 0.01), followed by burnout (ß = 0.20, P < 0.05) and objective workload (ß = 0.18, P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: In this preliminary investigation, we found that referral rates for diagnostic tests and specialist clinics increased independently for board-certified specialists (compared with GPs), for those with higher burnout levels and when objective workload increases. These findings support the conceptualization of referrals rates as objectively measured negative outcomes of burnout. Further replications with other objective outcomes, additional HMOs and bigger samples are warranted.