Examining the effectiveness of supplementary imaging modalities for breast cancer screening in women with dense breasts: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Purpose: To systematically review studies on the effectiveness of supplementary imaging for breast cancer screening in women with dense breasts.

Materials And Methods: A systematic search of peer-reviewed publications in English (January 2000 to March 2021) was carried out. Eight databases were used to retrieve the studies: MEDLINE, CINAHL, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, Cochrane Clinical Answers, Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, Cochrane Methodology Register, PubMed, and Web of Science.

Anatomic Site Markers: Evaluation of Their Use among Maltese Radiographers.

Purpose: To evaluate the perception and 5-year application of anatomic side markers (ASMs) by radiographers in Malta.

Methods And Materials: Phase 1 involved a longitudinal, retrospective observation of a stratified sample of radiographs over 5 years, using a self-designed data record sheet to record features of the placement of ASMs. Phase 2 consisted of a cross-sectional, prospective self-designed questionnaire evaluating the radiographers' perception on the use of ASMs in professional practice.

AN INVESTIGATION INTO CT RADIATION DOSE VARIATIONS FOR HEAD EXAMINATIONS ON MATCHED EQUIPMENT.

This study investigated radiation dose and image quality differences for computed tomography (CT) head examinations across centres with matched CT equipment. Radiation dose records and imaging protocols currently employed across three European university teaching hospitals were collated, compared and coded as Centres A, B and C from specification matched CT equipment models. Patient scans (n = 40) obtained from Centres A and C were evaluated for image quality, based on the visualisation of Commission of European Community (CEC) image quality criteria using visual grading characteristic (VGC) analysis, where American Board of Radiology examiners (n = 11) stated their confidence in identifying anatomical criteria.

Negative Poisson's ratios in tendons: An unexpected mechanical response.

Unlabelled: Tendons are visco-elastic structures that connect bones to muscles and perform the basic function of force transfer to and from the skeleton. They are essential for positioning as well as energy storing when involved in more abrupt movements such as jumping. Unfortunately, they are also prone to damage, and when injuries occur, they may have dilapidating consequences.

A comparison of sequential and spiral scanning techniques in brain CT.

Purpose: To evaluate and compare image quality and radiation dose of sequential computed tomography (CT) examinations of the brain and spiral CT examinations of the brain imaged on a GE HiSpeed NX/I Dual Slice 2CT scanner.

Methods: A random sample of 40 patients referred for CT examination of the brain was selected and divided into 2 groups. Half of the patients were scanned using the sequential technique; the other half were scanned using the spiral technique.

Visual grading characteristics and ordinal regression analysis during optimisation of CT head examinations.

Objectives: To evaluate visual grading characteristics (VGC) and ordinal regression analysis during head CT optimisation as a potential alternative to visual grading assessment (VGA), traditionally employed to score anatomical visualisation.

Methods: Patient images (n = 66) were obtained using current and optimised imaging protocols from two CT suites: a 16-slice scanner at the national Maltese centre for trauma and a 64-slice scanner in a private centre. Local resident radiologists (n = 6) performed VGA followed by VGC and ordinal regression analysis.

An evaluation of the use of oral contrast media in abdominopelvic CT.

Objectives: To evaluate the diagnostic efficacy of different oral contrast media (OCM) for abdominopelvic CT examinations performed for follow-up general oncological indications. The objectives were to establish anatomical image quality criteria for abdominopelvic CT; use these criteria to evaluate and compare image quality using positive OCM, neutral OCM and no OCM; and evaluate possible benefits for the medical imaging department.

Methods: Forty-six adult patients attending a follow-up abdominopelvic CT for general oncological indications and who had a previous abdominopelvic CT with positive OCM (n = 46) were recruited and prospectively placed into either the water (n = 25) or no OCM (n = 21) group.

A multi-phased study of optimisation methodologies and radiation dose savings for head CT examinations.

The impact of optimisation methods on dose reductions for head computerised tomography was undertaken in three phases for two manufacturer models. Phase 1: a Catphan(®)600 was employed to evaluate protocols where the impact of parameter manipulation on dose and image quality was gauged by psychophysical measurements of contrast and spatial resolution in terms of contrast discs and line pairs. mA, kV and pitch were systematically altered until the optimisation threshold was identified.

CT radiation dose and image quality optimization using a porcine model.

Purpose: To evaluate potential radiation dose savings and resultant image quality effects with regard to optimization of commonly performed computed tomography (CT) studies derived from imaging a porcine (pig) model.

Methods: Imaging protocols for 4 clinical CT suites were developed based on the lowest milliamperage and kilovoltage, the highest pitch that could be set from current imaging protocol parameters, or both. This occurred before significant changes in noise, contrast, and spatial resolution were measured objectively on images produced from a quality assurance CT phantom.

Maltese CT doses for commonly performed examinations demonstrate alignment with published DRLs across Europe.

This work recommends dose reference levels (DRLs) for abdomen, chest and head computerised tomography (CT) examinations in Malta as the first step towards national CT dose optimisation. Third quartiles volume CT dose index  values for abdomen: 12.1 mGy, chest: 13.

AP diameter shows the strongest correlation with CTDI and DLP in abdominal and chest CT.

The purpose of this study is to investigate the relationships among cross-sectional diameters, weight and computed tomography (CT) dose descriptors (CTDI and DLP) to identify which is best used as a measure for the establishment of DRLs in CT. Data (gender, weight, cross-sectional diameters, dose descriptors) from 56 adult patients attending for either a CT examination of the abdomen or chest was obtained from two spiral CT units using automatic milliampere modulation. The AP diameter was demonstrated as the main contributing factor influencing the dose in CT (CTDI: r(2) = 0.

Rationale for National and Local Dose Reference Levels and Collective Effective Dose in CT.

Purpose: This article is intended as a review of the methods of establishing dose reference levels (DRLs) in relation to computerized tomography (CT) and their role in the standardization and auditing of radiation dose in CT.

Discussion: CT is considered a high radiation dose examination. The potential for dose reduction resulting from the establishment of DRLs is discussed.