Visual and Quantitative Evaluation of Low-Concentration Bismuth in Dual-Contrast Imaging of Iodine and Bismuth Using Clinical Photon-Counting CT.

Simultaneous dual-contrast imaging of iodine and bismuth has shown promise in prior phantom and animal studies utilizing spectral CT. However, it is noted that in previous studies, Pepto-Bismol has frequently been employed as the source of bismuth, exceeding the recommended levels for human subjects. This investigation sought to assess the feasibility of visually differentiating and precisely quantifying low-concentration bismuth using clinical dual-source photon-counting CT (PCCT) in a scenario involving both iodinated and bismuth-based contrast materials.

Know your way around acute unenhanced CT during global iodinated contrast crisis: a refresher to ED radiologists.

Due to a contrast shortage crisis resulting from the decreased supply of iodinated contrast agents, the American College of Radiology (ACR) has issued a guidance statement followed by memoranda from various hospitals to preserve and prioritize the limited supply of contrast. The vast majority of iodinated contrast is used by CT, with a minority used by vascular and intervention radiology, fluoroscopy, and other services. A direct consequence is a paradigm shift to large volume unenhanced CT scans being utilized for acute and post traumatic patients in EDs, an uncharted territory for most radiologists and trainees.

Influences of the Social Media Continuum Model in Radiology: Theory and Reality.

Social media utilization has been growing exponentially worldwide and has created a thriving venue for radiologists and the profession of radiology to engage in on both the academic and social levels. The aim of this article is to conduct updated literature review and address a gap in the literature by introducing a simple classification for social media utilization and a new theoretical model to outline the role and potential value of social media in the realm of radiology. We propose classifying social media through usage-driven and access-driven indices.

Implementation and Uptake of Rural Lung Cancer Screening.

Objective: Given the higher rates of tobacco use along with increased mortality specific to lung cancer in rural settings, low-dose CT (LDCT)-based lung cancer screening could be particularly beneficial to such populations. However, limited radiology facilities and increased geographical distance, combined with lower income and education along with reduced patient engagement, present heightened barriers to screening initiation and adherence.

Methods: In collaboration with community leaders and stakeholders, we developed and implemented a community-based lung cancer screening program, including telephone-based navigation and tobacco cessation counseling support, serving 18 North Texas counties.

Radiologists' Increasing Role in Population Health Management: Expert Panel Narrative Review.

Population health management (PHM) is the holistic process of improving health outcomes of groups of individuals through the support of appropriate financial and care models. Radiologists' presence at the intersection of many aspects of health care, including screening, diagnostic imaging, and image-guided therapies, provides the opportunity for increased radiologist engagement in PHM. Furthermore, innovations in artificial intelligence and imaging informatics will serve as critical tools to improve value in health care through evidence-based and equitable approaches.

CT colonography's role in the COVID-19 pandemic: a safe(r), socially distanced total colon examination.

Purpose: To describe the favorable procedural profile of CT colonography (CTC) during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Conclusion: Postponement of cancer screening due to COVID-19 has resulted in a backlog of individuals needing to undergo structural examination of the colon. The experience during the initial COVID-19 surge with urgent evaluation of the colon for transplant patients prior to transplant suggests that CTC can be done in a lower risk manner as compared to other structural examinations.

Response to COVID-19: Minimizing Risks, Addressing Challenges and Maintaining Operations in a Complex Academic Radiology Department.

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has necessitated rapid response plans to minimize risks of infection in the workforce while ensuring maintenance of essential functions of radiology departments. Plan adoption is, however, challenged by the need to coordinate with institutional efforts, a rapidly expanding number of patients, and the diversity of clinical and administrative functions in the department. Here, we describe the implementation of a response plan in an academic radiology department, challenges encountered, and tactics used to address these challenges.

Postoperative Imaging after Surgical Repair for Pelvic Floor Dysfunction.

Pelvic floor dysfunction encompasses an extremely common set of conditions, with various surgical and nonsurgical treatment options. Surgical options include injection of urethral bulking agents, native tissue repair with or without bioabsorbable or synthetic graft material, placement of synthetic midurethral slings or use of vaginal mesh kits, and mesh sacrocolpopexy procedures. Numerous different synthetic products with varied imaging appearances exist, and some of these products may be difficult to identify at imaging.

Subclinical lung disease, macrocytosis, and premature graying in kindreds with telomerase (TERT) mutations.

Background: Mutations in the human gene encoding the protein component of telomerase (TERT) are the most common genetic defect in patients with familial idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF). The subclinical phenotypes of asymptomatic members of these families have not been evaluated with respect to TERT mutation status or telomere length.

Methods: We measured a variety of pulmonary, blood, skin, and bone parameters for 20 subjects with heterozygous TERT mutations (carriers) and 20 family members who had not inherited a TERT mutation (noncarriers) to identify the spectrum of phenotypes associated with mutations in this gene.

Computed tomographic colonography (virtual colonoscopy): a multicenter comparison with standard colonoscopy for detection of colorectal neoplasia.

Context: Conventional colonoscopy is the best available method for detection of colorectal cancer; however, it is invasive and not without risk. Computed tomographic colonography (CTC), also known as virtual colonoscopy, has been reported to be reasonably accurate in the diagnosis of colorectal neoplasia in studies performed at expert centers.

Objective: To assess the accuracy of CTC in a large number of participants across multiple centers.

Three-dimensional sonographic evaluation of the common bile duct.

Objective: To assess the accuracy of three-dimensional sonographic measurements of the common bile duct compared with standard two-dimensional anteroposterior measurement of the common duct.

Methods: Fifty-five consecutive patients referred for abdominal sonography underwent standard two-dimensional abdominal sonography followed by three-dimensional sonographic data acquisition of the right upper quadrant. A radiologist blinded to the results of the two-dimensional examination later measured the three-dimensional long axis anteroposterior common duct diameter and three-dimensional short axis anteroposterior and transverse common duct diameters.