Image and report quality in non-obstetric ultrasound examinations undertaken by sonographers: Results of an audit of 3731 cases.

Introduction: This paper reports the results of a rolling audit of sonographer-performed non-obstetric ultrasound examinations undertaken between 2010 and 2020 in a large University Teaching Hospital Ultrasound Department in the United Kingdom. We believe that this represents the largest published audit of sonographer non-obstetric ultrasound examination quality.

Methods: Random samples of sonographer ultrasound examinations were regularly and systematically audited by consultant-level ultrasound practitioners through review of soft copy images and reports.

Comparison of Digital Tomosynthesis and Chest Radiography for the Detection of Noncalcified Pulmonary and Hilar Lesions.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to compare the sensitivity and specificity of chest digital tomosynthesis (DTS) with chest radiography (CXR) for the detection of noncalcified pulmonary nodules and hilar lesions using computed tomography (CT) as the reference standard.

Materials And Methods: A total of 78 patients with suspected noncalcified pulmonary lesions on CXR were included in the study. Two radiologists, blinded to the history and CT, analyzed the CXR and the DTS images (separately), whereas a third radiologist analyzed the CXR and DTS images together.

The value of digital tomosynthesis of the chest as a problem-solving tool for suspected pulmonary nodules and hilar lesions detected on chest radiography.

Objectives: To assess the capability of digital tomosynthesis (DTS) of the chest compared to a postero-anterior (PA) and lateral chest radiograph (CXR) in the diagnosis of suspected but unconfirmed pulmonary nodules and hilar lesions detected on a CXR. Computed tomography (CT) was used as the reference standard.

Materials And Method: 78 patients with suspected non-calcified pulmonary nodules or hilar lesions on their CXR were included in the study.

Obstetric ultrasound education for the developing world: A learning partnership with the World Federation for Ultrasound in Medicine and Biology.

The ultrasound techniques in pregnancy e-learning project is an online resource commissioned and supported by the Education Committee of the World Federation for Ultrasound in Medicine and Biology (WFUMB). This currently consists of 10 e-learning sessions aimed at midwives and other health workers in developing countries where WFUMB has Educational Centres of Excellence, and in particular at those based mainly in rural communities at considerable distance from urban training centres. The project covers all of the basics of obstetric ultrasound such as fetal and maternal anatomy, ultrasound techniques, assessment in both early and late pregnancy, prediction of pregnancy complications and identification of common abnormalities that might interfere with delivery.

Practical applications of digital tomosynthesis of the chest.

Digital tomosynthesis is a radiographic technique that generates a number of coronal raw images of a patient from a single pass of the x-ray tube. Tomosynthesis provides some of the tomographic benefits of computed tomography (CT), but at a much lower dose of radiation and cost when compared to CT. This review illustrates the range of practical applications of digital tomosynthesis of the chest.

Detection of free intraperitoneal fluid in healthy young men.

Objectives: Free intraperitoneal fluid is a secondary sign of abdominal disorders. The detection of small volumes of fluid has been documented as a normal finding in women of childbearing age and also in pediatric sonography. However, the finding of free fluid in asymptomatic men has not been similarly documented by sonography.

Decontamination of transvaginal ultrasound probes: review of national practice and need for national guidelines.

Aim: To determine the national practice of transvaginal ultrasound (TVUS) probe decontamination in English hospitals and to develop recommendations for guidance.

Materials And Methods: A literature review was undertaken to clarify best practice and evaluate methods of decontamination of TVUS probes. A questionnaire was developed to ascertain TVUS probe decontamination programmes in current use within English hospitals.

Role of simulation-based education in ultrasound practice training.

The aim of this systematic review was to determine whether ultrasound (US)/US procedural simulation leads to improvement in US competence, particularly in the clinical setting. The electronic databases MEDLINE, EMBASE, CINAHL, ERIC, and OVID were searched for relevant published articles between 1950 and April 2011. Fourteen articles of an initial 371 articles met the inclusion criteria.

The varied sonographic appearances of focal fatty liver disease: review and diagnostic algorithm.

Focal fat infiltration and focal fat sparing of the liver are less common than diffuse fat infiltration but present a greater diagnostic conundrum. Although typical features of these conditions are well described, there is a wide variety of different appearances. These atypical patterns present significant difficulty in differentiation from other pathological processes and often require additional investigation.

Sonographic appearance of a migrated Angelchik anti-reflux prosthesis in the pelvis.

Surgical implantation of Angelchik prosthesis around the distal esophagus was a popular treatment for gastroesophageal reflux in the 1980s. However, because of frequent complications, this surgical technique was abandoned. We report a case of a migrated Angelchik prosthesis in a 56-year-old woman in whom the prosthesis was found in the pelvic cavity 20 years after the initial surgery.

MRI appearances of acute idiopathic scrotal oedema in an adult.

Acute idiopathic scrotal oedema is an uncommon cause of acute painless scrotal swelling that is usually seen in children. Traditionally, ultrasound has been used to help establish the diagnosis in the appropriate clinical setting. We report the MRI appearances of acute idiopathic scrotal oedema in a 51-year-old male with associated involvement of the penis.

The effect of reporting speed on plain film reporting errors.

Aim: To determine whether reporting plain films at faster rates lead to a deterioration in accuracy.

Methods: Fourteen consultant radiologists were asked to report a total of 90 radiographs in three sets of 30. They reported the first set at the rate they would report normally and the subsequent two sets in two thirds and one half of the original time.

The sonographic appearance of acute focal pyelonephritis 8 years experience.

Aim: Acute focal pyelonephritis (AFP) is a variant of pyelonephritis in which single or multiple discrete areas show changes of inflammation. The reported sonographic appearances of AFP are varied but are typically described as being echopoor. The purpose of this study was to review the sonographic appearances of AFP and attempt to explain the range of findings by correlation with clinical details.

Use of colour duplex Doppler imaging in the postoperative assessment of buried free flaps.

The postoperative assessment of free flaps is essential to identify and act on signs of incipient flap failure. Where the flap is completely buried, this becomes almost impossible unless part of the flap is exteriorised or an overlying skin window is used. Alternatively, complicated and often impractical monitoring devices have been advocated, but these have failed to gain widespread acceptance.

Incisional hernia: an unusual cause of acute pain and swelling following renal transplant.

We present a case in which a strangulated incisional hernia following a renal transplant was sonographically diagnosed. The patient presented with acute pain and swelling over the transplant site 6 weeks after surgery. Sonograms showed a normal-sized kidney with normal echotexture, no evidence of hydronephrosis, and no perinephric collections.

Sonographic demonstration of a pharyngoesophageal diverticulum.

We report a case of pharyngoesophageal (Zenker's) diverticulum in a 91-year-old woman. Sonography of the thyroid gland showed diffuse enlargement of the gland and a well-defined, heterogeneous hyperechoic mass that appeared to be in the posterior left lobe. The mass had a smooth hypoechoic wall with a layered appearance anteriorly.

Ultrasound criteria in the diagnosis of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS).

Not all women with the polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) on ultrasound (US) will have the syndrome, and clinical and biochemical features of PCOS may be present without US features. The sensitivity of US in detecting PCOS was, therefore, prospectively determined in 72 women (32 PCOS and 40 controls). The most sensitive features were the presence of 10 or more follicles (82% and 69% in the left and right ovary) and a peripheral distribution of follicles (81.

Screening for gynecological malignancy.

Treatment for gynecological malignancy depends for its efficacy at least in part on the stage at presentation. Earlier diagnosis would allow the opportunity for more effective and potentially curative treatment. As a consequence, and in common with initiatives for many other cancers, a search for effective methods of screening is a high priority for the detection of early gynecological cancer.