Rapid deposition analysis of inhaled aerosols in human airways.

A rapid data-driven method for determining regional deposition of inhaled medication aerosols in human airways is presented, which is patient specific. Inhalation patterns, device characteristics, and aerodynamic particle size distribution of medications are considered. The method is developed using dimensional analysis and Buckingham Pi theorem, and provides total, regional, and lobar distributions of aerosol deposition.

Integrative diagnostics: the time is now-a report from the International Society for Strategic Studies in Radiology.

Enormous recent progress in diagnostic testing can enable more accurate diagnosis and improved clinical outcomes. Yet these tests are increasingly challenging and frustrating; the volume and diversity of results may overwhelm the diagnostic acumen of even the most dedicated and experienced clinician. Because they are gathered and processed within the "silo" of each diagnostic discipline, diagnostic data are fragmented, and the electronic health record does little to synthesize new and existing data into usable information.

Integrative Diagnostics: The Time Is Now-A Report From the International Society for Strategic Studies in Radiology.

Enormous recent progress in diagnostic testing can enable more accurate diagnosis and improved clinical outcomes. Yet these tests are increasingly challenging and frustrating; the volume and diversity of results may overwhelm the diagnostic acumen of even the most dedicated and experienced clinician. Because they are gathered and processed within the "silo" of each diagnostic discipline, diagnostic data are fragmented, and the electronic health record does little to synthesize new and existing data into usable information.

Incidental findings on routine preoperative noncontrast chest computed tomography and chest radiography prior to cardiac surgery in the multicenter randomized controlled CRICKET study.

Objective: To describe the prevalence and consequences of incidental findings when implementing routine noncontrast CT prior to cardiac surgery.

Methods: In the multicenter randomized controlled CRICKET study, 862 adult patients scheduled for cardiac surgery were randomized 1:1 to undergo standard of care (SoC), which included a chest-radiograph, or an additional preoperative noncontrast chest CT-scan (SoC+CT). In this subanalysis, all incidental findings detected on the chest radiograph and CT-scan were analyzed.

Decreasing patellar tendon stiffness during exercise therapy for patellar tendinopathy is associated with better outcome.

Objectives: To assess the associations between: 1) baseline patellar tendon stiffness and clinical outcome after exercise therapy in athletes with patellar tendinopathy and 2) the change in patellar tendon stiffness and clinical outcome during progressive tendon-loading exercise therapy and eccentric exercise therapy.

Design: Randomized controlled trial.

Methods: Athletes with patellar tendinopathy aged 18-35 years, playing tendon-loading sports at least 3 times per week were randomized in a 1:1 ratio between progressive tendon-loading exercise therapy and eccentric exercise therapy for 24 weeks.

Effect of routine preoperative screening for aortic calcifications using noncontrast computed tomography on stroke rate in cardiac surgery: the randomized controlled CRICKET study.

Objectives: To evaluate if routine screening for aortic calcification using unenhanced CT lowers the risk of stroke and alters the surgical approach in patients undergoing general cardiac surgery compared with standard of care (SoC).

Methods: In this prospective, multicenter, randomized controlled trial, adult patients scheduled for cardiac surgery from September 2014 to October 2019 were randomized 1:1 into two groups: SoC alone, including chest radiography, vs. SoC plus preoperative noncontrast CT.

Accuracy and repeatability of QRAPMASTER and MRF-vFA.

Our purpose is to evaluate bias and repeatability of the quantitative MRI sequences QRAPMASTER, based on steady-state imaging, and variable Flip Angle MRF (MRF-VFA), based on the transient response. Both techniques are assessed with a standardized phantom and five volunteers on 1.5 T and 3 T clinical scanners.

From signal-based to comprehensive magnetic resonance imaging.

We present and evaluate a new insight into magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). It is based on the algebraic description of the magnetization during the transient response-including intrinsic magnetic resonance parameters such as longitudinal and transverse relaxation times (T, T) and proton density (PD) and experimental conditions such as radiofrequency field (B) and constant/homogeneous magnetic field (B) from associated scanners. We exploit the correspondence among three different elements: the signal evolution as a result of a repetitive sequence of blocks of radiofrequency excitation pulses and encoding gradients, the continuous Bloch equations and the mathematical description of a sequence as a linear system.

International survey on residency programs in radiology: similarities and differences among 17 countries.

Objective: With the initiative of the ACR International Economics Committee, a multinational survey was conducted to evaluate radiology residency programs around the world.

Methods: A 31-question survey was developed. It included: economic issues, program size and length, resident's activities during daytime and call, academic aspects including syllabus and examinations.

Association Between T Relaxation Times Derived From Ultrashort Echo Time MRI and Symptoms During Exercise Therapy for Patellar Tendinopathy: A Large Prospective Study.

Background: Exercise therapy is considered preferential treatment for patellar tendinopathy (PT). However, there is conflicting evidence for structural patellar tendon adaptation in response to exercise therapy and its association with symptoms is weak.

Purpose: To assess the association between 1) T relaxation times and symptom severity; 2) baseline T and clinical outcome; and 3) longitudinal T changes and clinical outcome in athletes with PT performing exercise therapy.

Bicuspid aortic valve annulus: assessment of geometry and size changes during the cardiac cycle as measured with a standardized method to define the annular plane.

Purpose: Bicuspid aortic valve (BAV) is a complex malformation affecting not merely the aortic valve. However, little is known regarding the dynamic physiology of the aortic annulus in these patients and whether it is similar to tricuspid aortic valves (TAV). Determining the BAV annular plane is more challenging than for TAV.

Detection of knee synovitis using non-contrast-enhanced qDESS compared with contrast-enhanced MRI.

Background: To assess diagnostic accuracy of quantitative double-echo in steady-state (qDESS) MRI for detecting synovitis in knee osteoarthritis (OA).

Methods: Patients with different degrees of radiographic knee OA were included prospectively. All underwent MRI with both qDESS and contrast-enhanced T1-weighted magnetic resonance imaging (CE-MRI).

Association between Baseline Osteoarthritic Features on MR Imaging and Clinical Outcome after Genicular Artery Embolization for Knee Osteoarthritis.

Purpose: To explore the association between baseline osteoarthritis (OA)-related magnetic resonance (MR) imaging features and pain reduction after genicular artery embolization (GAE) in patients with mild-to-moderate symptomatic knee OA resistant to conservative therapy.

Materials And Methods: This was a retrospective analysis of patients with mild-to-moderate symptomatic knee OA treated with GAE using imipenem-cilastatin sodium. The clinical outcome was scored at baseline and 6 months after treatment using the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC).

Quantitative volume and dynamic contrast-enhanced MRI derived perfusion of the infrapatellar fat pad in patellofemoral pain.

Background: Patellofemoral pain (PFP) is a common knee condition and possible precursor of knee osteoarthritis (OA). Inflammation, leading to an increased perfusion, or increased volume of the infrapatellar fat pad (IPFP) may induce knee pain. The aim of the study was to compare quantitative dynamic contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (DCE-MRI) parameters, as imaging biomarkers of inflammation, and volume of the IPFP between patients with PFP and controls and between patients with and without IPFP edema or joint effusion.

Radiology in the Era of Value-Based Healthcare: A Multi Society Expert Statement From the ACR, CAR, ESR, IS3R, RANZCR, and RSNA.

Background: The Value-Based Healthcare (VBH) concept is designed to improve individual healthcare outcomes without increasing expenditure, and is increasingly being used to determine resourcing of and reimbursement for medical services. Radiology is a major contributor to patient and societal healthcare at many levels. Despite this, some VBH models do not acknowledge radiology's central role; this may have future negative consequences for resource allocation.

Radiology in the Era of Value-based Healthcare: A Multi-Society Expert Statement from the ACR, CAR, ESR, IS3R, RANZCR, and RSNA.

Background The Value-Based Healthcare (VBH) concept is designed to improve individual healthcare outcomes without increasing expenditure, and is increasingly being used to determine resourcing of and reimbursement for medical services. Radiology is a major contributor to patient and societal healthcare at many levels. Despite this, some VBH models do not acknowledge radiology's central role; this may have future negative consequences for resource allocation.

Radiology in the Era of Value-Based Healthcare: A Multi-Society Expert Statement From the ACR, CAR, ESR, IS3R, RANZCR, and RSNA.

Background: The Value-Based Healthcare (VBH) concept is designed to improve individual healthcare outcomes without increasing expenditure, and is increasingly being used to determine resourcing of and reimbursement for medical services. Radiology is a major contributor to patient and societal healthcare at many levels. Despite this, some VBH models do not acknowledge radiology's central role; this may have future negative consequences for resource allocation.

Radiology in the era of value-based healthcare: A multi-society expert statement from the ACR, CAR, ESR, IS3R, RANZCR and RSNA.

Background: The value-based healthcare (VBH) concept is designed to improve individual healthcare outcomes without increasing expenditure and is increasingly being used to determine resourcing of and reimbursement for medical services. Radiology is a major contributor to patient and societal healthcare at many levels. Despite this, some VBH models do not acknowledge radiology's central role; this may have future negative consequences for resource allocation.

Radiology in the era of value-based healthcare: a multi-society expert statement from the ACR, CAR, ESR, IS3R, RANZCR, and RSNA.

Background: The Value-Based Healthcare (VBH) concept is designed to improve individual healthcare outcomes without increasing expenditure, and is increasingly being used to determine resourcing of and reimbursement for medical services. Radiology is a major contributor to patient and societal healthcare at many levels. Despite this, some VBH models do not acknowledge radiology's central role; this may have future negative consequences for resource allocation.

Effectiveness of progressive tendon-loading exercise therapy in patients with patellar tendinopathy: a randomised clinical trial.

Objective: To compare the effectiveness of progressive tendon-loading exercises (PTLE) with eccentric exercise therapy (EET) in patients with patellar tendinopathy (PT).

Methods: In a stratified, investigator-blinded, block-randomised trial, 76 patients with clinically diagnosed and ultrasound-confirmed PT were randomly assigned in a 1:1 ratio to receive either PTLE or EET. The primary end point was clinical outcome after 24 weeks following an intention-to-treat analysis, as assessed with the validated Victorian Institute of Sports Assessment for patellar tendons (VISA-P) questionnaire measuring pain, function and ability to play sports.

Preoperative Chest Computed Tomography Screening for Coronavirus Disease 2019 in Asymptomatic Patients Undergoing Cardiac Surgery.

Due to the outbreak of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome coronavirus (SARS-Cov-2), an efficient COVID-19 screening strategy is required for patients undergoing cardiac surgery. The objective of this prospective observational study was to evaluate the role of preoperative computed tomography (CT) screening for COVID-19 in a population of COVID-19 asymptomatic patients scheduled for cardiac surgery. Between the 29th of March and the 26th of May 2020, patients asymptomatic for COVID-19 underwent a CT-scan the day before surgery, with reverse-transcriptase polymerase-chain reaction (RT-PCR) reserved for abnormal scan results.

Computed Tomography and Magnetic Resonance Imaging.

Imaging in Oncology is rapidly moving from the detection and size measurement of a lesion to the quantitative assessment of metabolic processes and cellular and molecular interactions. Increasing insights into cancer as a complex disease with involvement of the tumor stroma in tumor pathobiological processes have made it clear that for successful control of cancer, treatment strategies should not only be directed at the cancer cells but should also take aspects of the tumor microenvironment into account. This requires an understanding of the complex molecular and cellular interactions in cancer tissue.

Clinically significant prostate cancer detection and segmentation in low-risk patients using a convolutional neural network on multi-parametric MRI.

Objectives: To develop an automatic method for identification and segmentation of clinically significant prostate cancer in low-risk patients and to evaluate the performance in a routine clinical setting.

Methods: A consecutive cohort (n = 292) from a prospective database of low-risk patients eligible for the active surveillance was selected. A 3-T multi-parametric MRI at 3 months after inclusion was performed.