Validation of the minimal clinically important difference for modified activities assessment scale.

Background: The minimal clinically important difference (MCID) is the smallest change in patient-derived scores that is clinically important. We sought to validate the MCID of the modified activities assessment scale (mAAS).

Methods: Patients were surveyed prior to undergoing abdomen/pelvis CT scans and resurveyed one year later.

The many faces of ectopic pregnancies: demystifying the common and less common entities.

Ectopic pregnancy is a major cause of 1st trimester pregnancy deaths. It occurs in various locations in the abdominopelvic cavity. Ultrasonography is a first-line, rapid, and noninvasive modality for ectopic pregnancy evaluation.

Computed tomography in ventral hernia diagnosis: have we improved? A quality improvement initiative.

Background: Previous studies suggest that agreement between readers of computed tomography (CT) scans for the diagnosis of a ventral hernia (VH) is poor (32% agreement, κ = 0.21). Recommendations were developed by surgeons and radiologists after determining common reasons for disagreement among CT reviewers; however, the long-term effect of adoption of these recommendations has not been assessed.

Use of Computed Tomography in Diagnosing Ventral Hernia Recurrence: A Blinded, Prospective, Multispecialty Evaluation.

Importance: Physical examination misses up to one-third of ventral hernia recurrences seen on radiologic imaging. However, tests such as computed tomographic (CT) imaging are subject to interpretation and require validation of interobserver reliability.

Objective: To determine the interobserver reliability of CT scans for detecting a ventral hernia recurrence among surgeons and radiologists.