Imaging has become key in the care pathway of communicable and non-communicable diseases. Yet, there are major shortages of imaging equipment and workforce in low- and middle-income countries ...(LMICs). The International Society of Radiology outlines a plan to upscale the role of imaging in the global health agenda and proposes a holistic approach for LMICs. A generic model for organising imaging services in LMICs via regional Centres of Reference is presented. The need to better exploit IT and the potential of artificial intelligence for imaging, also in the LMIC setting, is highlighted.
To implement the proposed plan, involvement of professional and international organisations is considered crucial. The establishment of an International Commission on Medical Imaging under the umbrella of international organisations is suggested and collaboration with other diagnostic disciplines is encouraged to raise awareness of the importance to upscale diagnostics at large and to foster its integration into the care pathway globally.
Objectives
To identify and prioritize technical procedures for simulation-based training that should be part of the education of residents in radiology.
Methods
This European-wide needs assessment ...study used a modified Delphi technique to gather consensus from different key education stakeholders in the field. The first round was a brainstorming phase to identify all procedures that a newly specialized radiologist should potentially be able to do. In the second round, each procedure was explored for the need for simulation training; the participants determined frequency, number of radiologists performing the procedure, impact on patient comfort and safety, and feasibility of simulation. The result of this round was sent back to the participants for final evaluation and prioritization.
Results
Seventy-one key education stakeholders from 27 European countries agreed to participate and were actively involved in the Delphi process: response rates were 72% and 82% in the second and third round, respectively. From 831 suggested procedures in the first round, these were grouped and categorized into 34 procedures that were pre-prioritized in the second round according to the need for simulation-based training. In the third round, 8 procedures were eliminated resulting in final inclusion of 26 procedures. Ultrasound procedures were highly ranked including basic skills such as probe handling; abdominal ultrasound; and ultrasound of kidneys, retroperitoneum, intestines, and scrotum.
Conclusion
The prioritized list of procedures represents a consensus document decided upon by educational stakeholders in radiology across Europe. These procedures are suitable for simulation and should be an integral part of the education of radiologists.
Key Points
•
The 26 identified procedures are listed according to priority and should be included as an integral part of simulation-based training curricula of radiologists across Europe.
•
This needs assessment is only the first step towards developing standardized simulation-based training programs that support the harmonization of education and training across Europe.
Objectives
This survey conducted by the International Society of Radiology and supported by the European Society of Radiology aimed to collect information regarding radiology departments’ current ...practices in the management of patients with COVID-19.
Methods
Responses from 50 radiology departments involved in the management of COVID-19 patients representing 33 countries across all continents were analyzed. The analysis revealed important variations in imaging practices related to COVID-19 across the world for different disease severity and various clinical scenarios.
Results
Imaging is usually not performed in asymptomatic patients (69% of institutions do not image) but is used at the end of confinement (in 60% of institutions). In the majority of institutions, chest imaging is used in suspected or confirmed patients with COVID-19 (89% and 94%). All imaging departments involved in this survey reported the use of imaging in COVID-19 patients showing severe symptoms or who were critically ill. However, there is a wide variation in imaging modality type used for each clinical scenario. The use of imaging is applied in line with existing guidelines and recommendations in 98% of institutions with structured reporting recorded in 58% of institutions. The vast majority of institutions reported a significant impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the imaging department’s routine activity (83%).
Conclusion
We believe that the results of this survey will help to understand current heterogeneities in radiology practice and to identify needs and gaps in the organization and function of radiology departments worldwide in relation to the COVID-19 pandemic. The results of this survey may inform the development of an overall strategy for radiology department organization and imaging protocols in pandemic conditions.
Key Points
• The results of this survey, which included responses from 50 radiology departments representing 33 countries, showed important variations in imaging practices related to COVID-19 across the world.
• While imaging is usually not performed in asymptomatic patients (69% of institutions), it is used in suspected or confirmed patients with COVID-19, in COVID-19 patients showing severe symptoms or who were critically ill, and at the end of confinement (89%, 94%, 100%, 100%, 60% of institutions, respectively). However, there is a wide variation in imaging modality type used for each clinical scenario.
• In 98% of institutions, the use of imaging is applied in line with existing guidelines and recommendations, with structured reporting recorded in 58% of institutions. COVID-19 pandemic made a significant impact on the imaging department’s routine activity in 83% of institutions.
Objectives
Published literature on justification of computed tomography (CT) examinations in Europe is sparse but demonstrates consistent sub-optimal application. As part of the EU initiated CT ...justification project, this work set out to capture CT justification practices across Europe.
Methods
An electronic questionnaire consisting of mostly closed multiple-choice questions was distributed to national competent authorities and to presidents of European radiology societies in EU member states as well as Iceland, Norway, Switzerland, and the UK (
n
= 31).
Results
Fifty-one results were received from 30 European countries. Just 47% (
n
= 24) stated that advance justification of individual CT examinations is performed by a medical practitioner. Radiologists alone mostly (
n
= 27, 53%) perform daily justification of CT referrals although this is a shared responsibility in many countries. Imaging referral guidelines are widely available although just 13% (
n
= 6) consider them in daily use. Four countries (Cyprus, Ireland, Sweden, UK) reported having them embedded within clinical decision support systems. Justification of new practices with CT is mostly regulated (77%) although three countries (Belgium, Iceland and Portugal) reported not having any national system in place for generic justification. Health screening with CT was reported by seven countries as part of approved screening programmes and by eight countries outside. When performed, CT justification audits were reported to improve CT justification rates.
Conclusions
CT justification practices vary across Europe with less than 50% using advance justification and a minority having clinical decision support systems in place. CT for health screening purposes is not currently widely used in Europe.
Key points
CT justification practices vary across Europe.
Less than half of respondents reported advance justification of CT examinations.
Imaging referral guidelines are widely available but not in daily use.
CT for health screening is not widely used in Europe at present.
The aim of the study was to analyse the temporal and geographic distribution of radiologists, computed tomography and magnetic resonance scanners in Croatia. In this observational study we estimated ...radiologists’ number per 100,000 population for 1997, 2006, and 2017 and compared private and public CT and MR scanners between 2011 and 2018. We analyzed the availability of radiologists and scanners, and the relationship between the radiological workforce and economic strength among counties. The workforce increased significantly from 1997 to 2017 and was associated with economic strength categories in 2017. In 2018, there were more CT scanners in the public sector, while MR scanners were distributed evenly. In 2011, there was similar distribution of CT and MR between sectors, while in 2018 there were significantly more public CT scanners. Counties with a medical school had significantly more radiologists and MR scanners. The high-to-low ratios per CT and MR were 11 and 8.2, suggesting inequality of health care. Croatia significantly increased its radiological workforce; however, cross-county inequality remained. Counties with higher economic strength and medical schools have better availability of radiologists and equipment. To ensure the sustainable activity of the health care system, a precise estimate of supply and demand of radiology services is needed.
Shear wave elastography (SWE) is a type of ultrasound elastography with which the elastic properties of breast tissues can be quantitatively assessed. The purpose of this study was to determine the ...impact of different regions of interest (ROI) and lesion size on the performance of SWE in differentiating malignant breast lesions. The study included 150 female patients with histopathologically confirmed malignant breast lesions. Minimal (Emin), mean (Emean), maximal (Emax) elastic modulus and elasticity ratio (e-ratio) values were measured using a circular ROI size of 2, 4 and 6 mm diameters and the lesions were divided into large (diameter ≥ 15 mm) and small (diameter < 15 mm). Highest Emin, Emean and e-ratio values and lowest variability were observed when using the 2 mm ROI. Emax values did not differ between different ROI sizes. Larger lesions had significantly higher Emean and Emax values, but there was no difference in e-ratio values between lesions of different sizes. In conclusion, when measuring the Emin, Emean and e-ratio of malignant breast lesions using SWE the smallest possible ROI size should be used regardless of lesion size. ROI size has no impact on Emax values while lesion size has no impact on e-ratio values.
Carotid artery disease is one of the main global causes of disability and premature mortality in the spectrum of cardiovascular diseases. One of its main consequences, stroke, is the second biggest ...global contributor to disability and burden via Disability Adjusted Life Years after ischemic heart disease. In the last decades, B-mode and Doppler-based ultrasound imaging techniques have become an indispensable part of modern medical imaging of carotid artery disease. However, they have limited abilities in carotid artery plaque and wall characterization and are unable to provide simultaneous quantitative and qualitative flow information while the images are burdened by low framerates. UltraFast™ ultrasound is able to overcome these obstacles by providing simultaneous quantitative and qualitative flow analysis information in high frame rates via UltraFast™ Doppler. Another newly developed ultrasound technique, shear wave elastography, is based on the visualization of induced shear waves and the measurement of the shear wave propagation speed in the examined tissues which enables real-time carotid plaque and wall analysis. These newly developed ultrasound modalities have potential to significantly improve workflow efficiency and are able to provide a plethora of additional imaging information of carotid artery disease in comparison to conventional ultrasound techniques.
Spontaneous pneumomediastinum (SPM), pneumothorax (PNX) and subcutaneous emphysema are rare complications of COVID-19 pneumonia. In this paper we describe 3 cases of COVID-19 pneumonia complicated by ...SPM with or without PNX. Patient 1 was a 56-year-old woman whose medical history was significant for chronic leukemia. She presented with typical clinical signs of COVID-19 pneumonia and after 2 weeks of hospitalization she developed SPM and subcutaneous emphysema. The management of pneumomediastinum (PNM) was conservative and follow-up computed tomography showed resolution of PNM. Patient 2 was a 67-year-old man presenting with fever, cough and dyspnea. Computed tomography pulmonary angiography was performed after 2 weeks of hospitalization and showed bilateral peripheral consolidations together with massive PNM and right-sided PNX. Thoracic drainage catheter was inserted in his right chest. Despite all supportive care, the patient succumbed to illness. Patient 3 was a 74-year-old man who was admitted to our hospital with COVID-19 pneumonia and spontaneous right-sided PNX. A thoracic drainage catheter was inserted immediately and then removed after ten days which has led to progression of subcutaneous emphysema, PNX and newly diagnosed PNM. Patient was carefully monitored for the next 2 weeks. Follow-up chest x-ray showed regression of PNM and PNX. SPM, PNX and subcutaneous emphysema are rare complications of COVID-19 pneumonia. Increased alveolar pressure and diffuse alveolar injury in severe COVID-19 pneumonia may make the alveoli more prone to rupturing which leads to gas dissemination along the peribronchovascular sheath to the mediastinum. Most cases of SPM and PNX resolve with conservative management.
Rak dojke najčešća je zloćudna novotvorina u žena u Republici Hrvatskoj. Osnovne radiološke pretrage u dijagnostici bolesti dojke jesu mamografija, ultrazvuk i magnetska rezonancija. U radu su ...prikazane radiološke smjernice za radiološku dijagnostičku i intervencijsku obradu bolesti dojke i praćenje bolesnica oboljelih od raka dojke u Republici Hrvatskoj. Razrađen je algoritam radiološke obrade kod simptomatskih bolesnica, trudnica i dojilja, bolesnica prosječnog i povećanog rizika za razvoj karcinoma dojke, te kod bolesnica s radiološkim nalazom upalnih promjena (mastitisa).
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