MRI-guided in-bore biopsy of the prostate - defining the optimal number of cores needed.

Background: Numerous studies have shown that magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)-targeted biopsy approaches are superior to traditional systematic transrectal ultrasound guided biopsy (TRUS-Bx). The optimal number of biopsy cores to be obtained per lesion identified on multiparametric MRI (mpMRI) images, however, remains a matter of debate. The aim of this study was to evaluate the incremental value of additional biopsy cores in an MRI-targeted "in-bore"-biopsy (MRI-Bx) setting.

LI-RADS Made Easy.

Purpose: The Liver Imaging Reporting and Data System (LI-RADS v2018) standardizes the interpretation and reporting of MDCT and MRI examinations in patients at risk for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).

Materials And Methods: For focal liver lesions (called "observations") it assigns categories (LR-1 to 5, LR-M, LR-TIV, LR-TR), which reflect the probability of benignity or malignancy (HCC or other non-HCC malignancies) of the respective observation. The categories assigned are based on major and ancillary image features, which have been developed by the American College of Radiology (ACR), revised several times (now v2018), and validated in many studies.

Complications of central venous port systems: a pictorial review.

Central venous port devices are indicated for patients, who need long-term intravenous therapy. Oncologic patients may require intermittent administration of chemotherapy, parenteral nutrition, infusions, or blood transfusions. A venous port system is composed of a port chamber attached to a central catheter, which is implanted into the central venous system.

[Opinion of the Austrian Society of Radiology and the Austrian Society of Pneumology].

The National Lung Screening Trial (NLST) could demonstrate, for the first time, in a prospective randomized trial, that low-dose CT screening (LD-CT) may decrease lung cancer mortality. At the moment, it is unclear how these results will be applicable to Austria. Specifically, the definition of the population at an increased risk for lung cancer and management of the high rate of false-positive results are problematic.

CT protocols in interstitial lung diseases--a survey among members of the European Society of Thoracic Imaging and a review of the literature.

Purpose: The aim of this study was to survey the current CT protocols used by members of the European Society of Thoracic Imaging (ESTI) to evaluate patients with interstitial lung diseases (ILD).

Methods: A questionnaire was e-mailed to 173 ESTI members. The survey focussed on CT acquisition and reconstruction techniques.

Bedside chest radiography.

The bedside chest x-ray (CXR) is an indispensible diagnostic tool for monitoring seriously ill patients in the intensive care unit. The CXR often reveals abnormalities that may not be detected clinically. In addition, bedside CXRs are an irreplaceable tool with which to detect the malposition of tubes and lines and to identify associated complications.

CT fluoroscopy-guided vs. multislice CT biopsy mode-guided lung biopsies: accuracy, complications and radiation dose.

Background: The aim of this retrospective study was to compare the diagnostic accuracy, the frequency of complications, the duration of the interventions and the radiation doses of CT fluoroscopy (CTF) guided biopsies of lung lesions with those of multislice CT (MS-CT) biopsy mode-guided biopsies.

Methods: Data and images from 124 consecutive patients undergoing CTF-guided lung biopsy (group A) and 132 MS-CT-biopsy mode-guided lung biopsy (group B) were reviewed. CTF-guided biopsies were performed on a Siemens Emotion 6 CT scanner with intermittent or continuous CT-fluoroscopy, MS-CT biopsy mode-guided biopsies were performed on a Siemens Emotion 16 CT scanner.

CT fluoroscopy guided transpleural cutting needle biopsy of small (≤2.5 cm) subpleural pulmonary nodules.

Purpose: Small subpleural pulmonary lesions are difficult to biopsy. While the direct, short needle path has been reported to have a lower rate of pneumothorax, the indirect path provides a higher diagnostic yield. Therefore, we tried to optimize the needle pathway and minimize the iatrogenic pneumothorax risk by evaluating a CT fluoroscopy guided direct approach to biopsy subpleural lesions.

Quantitative and o(2) enhanced MRI of the pathologic lung: findings in emphysema, fibrosis, and cystic fibrosis.

Purpose: beyond the pure morphological visual representation, MR imaging offers the possibility to quantify parameters in the healthy, as well as, in pathologic lung parenchyma. Gas exchange is the primary function of the lung and the transport of oxygen plays a key role in pulmonary physiology and pathophysiology. The purpose of this review is to present a short overview of the relaxation mechanisms of the lung and the current technical concepts of T1 mapping and methods of oxygen enhanced MR imaging.

Artifacts in body MR imaging: their appearance and how to eliminate them.

A wide variety of artifacts can be seen in clinical MR imaging. This review describes the most important and most prevalent of them, including magnetic susceptibility artifacts and motion artifacts, aliasing, chemical-shift, zipper, zebra, central point, and truncation artifacts. Although the elimination of some artifacts may require a service engineer, the radiologist and MR technologist have the responsibility to recognize MR imaging problems.

Computed radiography and direct radiography: influence of acquisition dose on the detection of simulated lung lesions.

Purpose: We sought to evaluate the performance of dual-readout and single-readout computed radiography compared with direct radiography for detecting subtle lung abnormalities with a standard and a low-dose technique.

Materials And Methods: Posteroanterior radiographs of an anthropomorphic chest phantom were obtained with a single-readout storage phosphor radiography system (CRS, pixel size 200 microm), a dual-readout storage phosphor radiography system (CRD, pixel size 100 microm), and a direct detector (DR, pixel size 143 microm) at dose levels of 400 and 800 speed. Ten templates were superimposed to project 4 types of lesions over low- and high-attenuation areas, simulating nodules, micronodules, lines, and patchy opacities.

Evaluation of swallowing disorders with videofluoroscopy in Austria: a survey.

Aim: The aim of our study was to assess the availability of videofluoroscopy to examine patients with swallowing disorders in Austria.

Materials And Methods: A questionnaire was sent to the department heads of the radiology departments of all hospitals (n=143) and to all non-hospital-based radiologic practices (n=226) throughout Austria. The survey focused on the availability of videofluoroscopic swallowing studies and on the studies performed in patients with deglutition disorders.

Diffusion-weighted imaging in the assessment of brain abscesses therapy.

Background And Purpose: Surgically or conservatively treated brain abscesses may resolve, or pus may re-accumulate, requiring further intervention or treatment change. We hypothesized that diffusion-weighted (DW) imaging is useful in depicting features of abscesses related to therapeutic success or failure.

Methods: Conventional contrast-enhanced T1- and T2-weighted imaging and DW imaging were performed in seven patients (aged 30-69 years) with proved pyogenic brain abscesses.

CT density measurements for characterization of adrenal tumors ex vivo: variability among three CT scanners.

Objective: Many studies have suggested that Hounsfield measurements on unenhanced CT can reliably differentiate adrenal adenomas from nonadenomas using a scanner-independent threshold level. The purpose of this study was to determine whether establishment of a scanner-independent threshold for differentiation of adenomas from nonadenomas is technically feasible.

Materials And Methods: Surgically resected adrenal tumor specimens (total, seven; adenomas, three; nonadenomas, four; size range, 17-76 mm), were placed in an anthropomorphic phantom.

Impact of ambient light and window settings on the detectability of catheters on soft-copy display of chest radiographs at bedside.

Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate how ambient light and interactive adjustment of density and contrast affect the detection of catheter fragments when interpreting bedside chest radiographs on soft-copy displays.

Materials And Methods: A total of 131 catheter fragments were superimposed over 10 bedside chest radiographs obtained with storage phosphor technology. Images were displayed on a clinical intensive care unit viewing station (color cathode-ray tube monitor, 21 inch [53 cm], 1280 x 1024 matrix) and were independently evaluated by five radiologists.

Imaging of chest trauma: radiological patterns of injury and diagnostic algorithms.

In patients after chest trauma, imaging plays a key role for both, the primary diagnostic work-up, and the secondary assessment of potential treatment. Despite its well-known limitations, the anteroposterior chest radiograph remains the starting point of the imaging work-up. Adjunctive imaging with computed tomography, that recently is increasingly often performed on multidetector computed tomography units, adds essential information not readily available on the conventional radiograph.

Digital radiography of the chest: detector techniques and performance parameters.

Substantial advances in detector technology characterize digital chest radiography. This article compares the various systems from a radiologist's point of view. Computed radiography (CR) is a well-established system that is robust, has good reproducibility, and is relatively inexpensive.

Detection of monitoring materials on bedside chest radiographs with the most recent generation of storage phosphor plates: dose increase does not improve detection performance.

Purpose: To evaluate the performance of the most recent generation of storage phosphor plates for the detection of low-contrast catheter material on bedside chest radiographs.

Materials And Methods: In 10 patients in the intensive care unit, bedside chest radiographs were obtained with a 400-speed conventional screen-film system and with storage phosphor plates with exposure levels comparable to a 200-, 400-, or 800-speed conventional system. The chest radiograph was divided into 20 regions, 60% of which were superimposed with low-contrast catheter fragments.