64-Slice CT angiography of the abdominal aorta and abdominal arteries: comparison of the diagnostic efficacy of iobitridol 350 mgI/ml versus iomeprol 400 mgI/ml in a prospective, randomised, double-blind multi-centre trial.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to assess the influence of iodine concentration on diagnostic efficacy in multi-detector-row computed tomography (MDCT) angiography of the abdominal aorta and abdominal arteries. METHODS: IRB approval and informed consent were obtained. In this double-blind trial, patients were randomised to undergo MDCT angiography of the abdominal arteries during administration of iobitridol (350 mgI/ml) or iomeprol (400 mgI/ml). Each centre applied its own technique for delivery of contrast medium, regardless of iodine concentration. Diagnostic efficacy, image quality, visualisation of the arterial wall and arterial enhancement were evaluated. A total of 153 patients received iobitridol and 154 received iomeprol. RESULTS: The ability to reach a diagnosis was "satisfactory" to "totally satisfactory" in 152 (99.3%) and 153 (99.4%) patients respectively. Image quality was rated as being "good" to "excellent" in 94.7 and 94.8% segments respectively. Similar results were observed for image quality of arterial walls (84.3 vs. 83.2%). The mean relative changes in arterial enhancement between baseline and arterial phase images showed no statistically significant differences. CONCLUSION: This study demonstrated the non-inferiority of the 350 versus 400 mgI/ml iodine concentration, in terms of diagnostic efficacy, in abdominal MDCT angiography. It also confirmed the high robustness and reliability of this technique across multi-national practices.

Aging and the respiratory system.

In the elderly, the chest without evident pathology is characterized by findings that occupy a sort of "no man's land" between the normal and the pathologic. Aging results in physiologic modifications that must be recognized so as not to be interpreted erroneously as pathologies. On the other hand, the elderly tend to become ill more frequently and multipathologies are more frequent. Image diagnostics is a key element in the clarification of often blurry clinical pictures, which may make early diagnosis possible, a great advantage to timely treatment. In this sense, knowledge of heart/lung interactions makes it possible to obtain, from the onset, radiologic and clinical signs of the two physiopathologic models prevalent in the elderly, the "cardiac lung" and the "pulmonary heart."

How formative courses about damage control surgery and non-operative management improved outcome and survival in unstable politrauma patients in a Mountain Trauma Center.

AIM: Aim of this study is to analyze how the starting of Course of Trauma in our hospital improved survival and organization in management of polytraumatized patients. MATERIAL OF STUDY: We analysed all major trauma patients (Injury Severity Score (Injury Severity Score (ISS)> 15) treated at Emergency Department of the Santa Chiara Hospital between January 2011 and December 2014. The training courses (TC) were named "management of polytrauma" (MP) and "clinical cases discussion" (CCD), and started in November 2013. We divided the patients between two groups: before November 2013 (pre-TC group) and after November 2013 (post-TC group). RESULTS: MTG's courses (EMC accredited), CCD and MP courses started in November 2013. The target of these courses was the multidisciplinary management of polytrauma patient; the courses were addressed to general surgeons, anaesthesiologists, radiologists, orthopaedics and emergency physicians. Respectively 110 and 78 doctors were formed in CCD's and MP's courses. Patients directly transported to our trauma centre rose from 67.5% to 83% (p<0,005), and E-FAST grew from 15.6% in the pre-TC group to 51.3% in the post-TC group. Time of access in operatory theatre decreased from 62 to 44 minutes. Early Mortality (within 48 hours from the hospital arrival) was 9% in the pre-TC group and 4.5% in the post-tc group (p<0.005). DISCUSSION: Be needed to complete our goal. Further analysis and possible comparison with other trauma centers be needed to complete our goal CONCLUSIONS: Our results show that in our experience the multidisciplinary approach to polytrauma patients increased early survival and improved outcome with an evidence of worker's satisfaction. However, the best practice would ask to start with the approval of procedures and guidelines by the hospital governance, followed by clinical practice changes, in order to create a dedicated emergency and trauma surgery group. KEY WORD: Damage Control Surgery, Non Operative Management, Trauma Course, Trauma Team, Trauma Center.

Optimized delivery radiological reports: applying Six Sigma methodology to a radiology department.

PURPOSE: To optimise the process of reporting and delivering radiological examinations with a view to achieving 100% service delivery within 72 hours to outpatients and 36 hours to inpatients. To this end, we used the Six Sigma method which adopts a systematic approach and rigorous statistical analysis to analyse and improve processes, by reducing variability and minimising errors. More specifically, our study focused on the process of radiological report creation, from the end of the examination to the time when the report is made available to the patient, to examine the bottlenecks and identify the measures to be taken to improve the process. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Six Sigma uses a five-step problem-solving process called DMAIC, an acronym for Define, Measure, Analyze, Improve and Control. The first step is to define the problem and the elements crucial to quality, in terms of Total Quality Control. Next, the situation is analysed to identify the root causes of the problem and determine which of these is most influential. The situation is then improved by implementing change. Finally, to make sure that the change is long-lasting, measures are taken to sustain the improvements and obtain long-term control. In our case we analysed all of the phases the report passes through before reaching the user, and studied the impact of voice-recognition reporting on the speed of the report creation process. RESULTS: Analysis of the information collected showed that the tools available for report creation (dictaphone, voice-recognition system) and the transport of films and reports were the two critical elements on which to focus our efforts. Of all the phases making up the process, reporting (from end of examination to end of reporting) and distribution (from the report available to administrative staff to report available to the patient) account for 90% of process variability (73% and 17%, respectively). We further found that the reports dictated into a voice-recognition reporting system are delivered in 45 hours (median), whereas those dictated using a dictaphone take 96 hours: voice-recognition reporting systems therefore improve performance by 50 hours. Unfortunately, 38% of our reports are delivered within longer timeframes than the 72h for outpatients and 36h for inpatients agreed with the service users. Reports for inpatients have much faster delivery times and lower variability, as 95% of these examinations are reported using voice-recognition reporting (as a result of the greater sensitivity of physicians to the problem of inpatient waiting times). For conventional radiology examinations, numerically greater than CT or MRI, there is a stronger tendency to use the dictaphone which allows for faster dictation as it is unburdened by administrative tasks such as entering examination codes, correcting errors, etc. Freelance status has no impact on report delivery times, service delivery being the same as in the institutional setting. The subprocess of reporting is strongly affected by the choice of reporting method (voice-recognition system or dictaphone), whereas report delivery is affected by the individual's behaviour patterns and ultimately by habits generated by the lack of a clearly charted process (lack of synchronisation among the various phases), and therefore potentially avoidable. DISCUSSION: The analytical study of the various phases of examination reporting, from writing to delivery, allowed us to identify the process bottlenecks and take corrective measures. Regardless of imaging modality and individual physician, examination reporting consistently takes longer when a dictaphone is used instead of a voice-recognition reporting system, as this makes the process more complex. To improve the two critical subprocesses whilst maintaining constant resources, a first step is to abandon the dictaphone in favour of the voice-recognition system. In addition, we are experimenting other measures to improve the collection and sorting of examinations and the delivery of reports: the technical staff take the films from the examination rooms to the reporting rooms three times a day; the radiologists collect their examinations and prepare the reports, possibly on the same day; the radiologists leave their signed reports on the table in the central reporting room; the administrative staff collect the signed reports three times a day in the morning and afternoon to be able to deliver them on the same day. CONCLUSIONS: This project has allowed us to become familiar with the principles of total quality, to better understand our internal processes and to take effective measures to optimise them. This has resulted in enhanced satisfaction of all the department staff and has laid the grounds for further measures in the future.

[Dissection of epiaortic vessels: clinical appearance and potentiality of imaging techniques].

PURPOSE: To analyse the major radiological and clinical features of dissections of the epiaortic vessels and evaluate the potential of imaging techniques on the basis of the findings reported in the literature over the last few years. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We evaluated 9 dissections (7 carotid lesions and 2 vertebral lesions) in 9 patients (5 women and 4 men; age range: 30-56 years) who came to our attention between September 1999 and June 2002. These were all stenoses and obstructions located in the cervical region and, in two patients, extended intracranially. The morphologic features were assessed in each case by colour-Doppler US, CT, MR or conventional angiography and correlated with clinical, therapeutic and distant progression patterns. Colour-Doppler US of the neck vessels was performed in 4 patients; CT angiography of neck and intracranial vessels was performed in 4 patients using a single-slice spiral scanner and a single contrast medium bolus injection, following unenhanced examination of the brain; MR angiography was performed in 6 patients after baseline examination using flow-dependent and/or angiographic sequences; conventional angiography was performed in 7 patients. Clinical manifestations at onset were peripheral neurological lesions in 5 cases and central ischaemic lesions in the remaining 4 cases. All patients underwent medical therapy (anticoagulants or antiaggregants). The follow-up was done by colour-Doppler US, MR and/or MR angiography; follow-up conventional angiography at 6-9 months was also performed in 6 patients. Distant progression was assessed on the basis of the degree of vascular re-canalization and the residual signs and symptoms. RESULTS: MR- and CT-angiography were diagnostic in all cases. In particular, diagnosis was obtained by MR-angiography in 4 patients and by CT-angiography in 3 patients. Conventional angiography yielded a diagnosis in 2 cases which had previously undergone non-contrast brain CT or MR without examination of neck vessels alone. Colour-Doppler US revealed non-specific wall and flow alterations in 2 cases, thus requiring further diagnostic studies. In patients with central neurological symptoms at onset the diagnosis was obtained within 48-72 hours, whereas in patients with initial peripheral neurological symptoms the time to diagnosis was significantly longer (up to 10 days) due to the poor specificity of the clinical picture and/or failed detection of the warning symptoms. Medical treatment gave rise to no major complications. Overall, distant progression was good: 6 patients recovered completely and 3 had mild to moderate residual neurological deficits. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS: Dissection of epiaortic vessels should always be considered as a probable cause of cerebral ischaemia in adults aged 20-50 years, particularly in the absence of vascular risk factors. Clinical assessment is fundamental for the diagnosis and treatment. Currently, CT and MR imaging techniques providing similar information are reliable diagnostic tools that can rapidly and non-invasively clarify suspicious clinical cases. Nevertheless, angiography continues to have an important role in the overall evaluation of disease severity in view of the possible endovascular or surgical treatment of complications.