Assessing and improving women representation in radiology leadership positions.

Gender representation remains a critical issue in professions, especially within medical specialties like radiology, where the representation of women in leadership roles significantly lags. Despite a promising increase in women physicians in Canada, reaching 42.7% by 2019, radiology showcases a stark gender disparity, particularly in leadership positions.

Canadian Radiology Women: Fostering Community and Inclusivity in Radiology.

As the landscape of equity, diversity, and inclusion continues to evolve in radiology, women in radiology societies are playing a pivotal role in networking, communitybuilding, and mentorship. In Canada, Canadian Radiology Women (CRW) has developed from a social media initiative to a community of supportive female and nonbinary radiologists, sharing resources and providing mentorship to colleagues and trainees. This editorial describes the evolution of CRW and the impact on the Canadian radiology community over the past seven years.

Gender Dynamics in Radiology: The Influence of Terminology on Subspecialty Choices.

Gender disparity in radiology and its subspecialties presents a significant and persistent challenge, with only a small fraction of female Canadian medical students choosing radiology compared to their male counterparts. This disparity is further reflected in the professional landscape, where only 23% of practicing radiologists are women, predominantly concentrated in "women's imaging," which typically includes breast and gynecological imaging. This categorization not only perpetuates professional segregation by reinforcing gender stereotypes but also impacts patient care and research by suggesting that these areas are exclusively women's health issues.

Catalyzing Increased Representation of Women in Radiology: Role of Radiology Interest Groups.

Radiology Interest Groups (RIGs) in medical education are a catalyst for enhancing the appeal of the discipline and catapulting professional development of medical students. Despite the growing number of women amongst medical school graduates, a significant gender disparity persists in radiology, partly due to obstacles including limited exposure, lack of role models and mentors. This article evaluates the role of RIGs in bridging the gender gap and highlights the challenges women medical students face and proposes targeted initiatives to promote their participation in RIGs.

Breast Arterial Calcifications on Mammography: Awareness and Reporting Preferences Amongst Referring Physicians in Canada.

Breast arterial calcifications (BAC) on mammography have been correlated with increased cardiovascular risk. The Canadian Society of Breast Imaging released a position statement on BAC reporting in January 2023. This study evaluates the awareness of the clinical significance of BAC and reporting preferences of referring physicians in Canada.

A multimodality review of gynecologic devices in the pelvis.

There are a wide variety of gynecologic devices encountered on pelvic imaging which may not be the focus or primary reason for imaging. Such devices include pessaries, menstrual products, radiation therapy devices, tubal occlusion devices, and contraceptive devices, including intrauterine devices and intravaginal rings. This manuscript offers a comprehensive review of multimodality imaging appearances of gynecologic devices encountered on pelvic imaging and discusses device indications, positioning, and complications.

Breast Cancer Screening in the Intermediate-Risk Population: Falling Through the Cracks?

Breast cancer screening guidelines vary for women at intermediate risk (15%-20% lifetime risk) for developing breast cancer across jurisdictions. Currently available risk assessment models have differing strengths and weaknesses, creating difficulty and ambiguity in selecting the most appropriate model to utilize. Clarifying which model to utilize in individual circumstances may help determine the best screening guidelines to use for each individual.

Canadian Association of Radiologists Diagnostic Imaging Referral Guidelines: a guideline development protocol.

Background: Comprehensive diagnostic imaging referral guidelines are an important tool to assist referring clinicians and radiologists in determining the safest and best-clinical-value diagnostic imaging study for their patients; the Canadian Association of Radiologists (CAR) last produced its diagnostic imaging referral guidelines in 2012. In partnership with several national organizations, referring clinicians, radiologists, and patient and family advisors from across Canada, the association is redoing its referral guidelines using a new methodology for guideline development, and these guideline recommendations will be suited for integration into clinical decision support systems.

Methods: Expert panels of radiologists, referring clinicians and a patient advisor will work with epidemiologists at the CAR to create guidelines across 13 clinical sections.

The FIND Program: Improving Follow-up of Incidental Imaging Findings.

Incidental findings are findings identified on imaging which are unrelated to the original reason for examination and require follow-up. The Radiology Finding Incidental Disease (FIND) Program was designed to track and improve follow-up of incidental imaging findings. The purpose of this study was to determine the frequency of incidental findings on cross-sectional imaging and the adherence to suggested follow-up of incidental findings prior to and after implementation of a structured reporting and tracking system.

Correlation Between Breast Arterial Calcifications and Higher Cardiovascular Risk: Awareness and Attitudes Amongst Canadian Radiologists Who Report Mammography.

Breast arterial calcification (BAC) on mammography correlates with increased cardiovascular risk. Reporting BAC is not standard practice. Our study evaluates the awareness of Canadian radiologists who report mammography of the clinical significance of BAC and their attitudes towards reporting BAC compared to their European and American counterparts.

Breast Arterial Calcifications: Reporting Preferences and Impact on Screening for Coronary Artery Disease.

Objective: Breast arterial calcifications (BAC) have been shown to correlate with measures of coronary artery disease risk stratification, although reporting of BAC is optional by BI-RADS guidelines. The purpose of this study is to determine referring provider preferences in BAC reporting on mammography reports and if such reporting has any impact on patient management.

Methods: This study was approved by the local institutional review board.

Testicular cancer with extensive gonadal and renal vein tumor thrombus.

Tumor thrombus has been demonstrated to occur with hepatocellular and renal cell carcinoma, however, rarely occurs in testicular germ cell malignancies. Tumor thrombus results from the intravascular invasion of malignant cells, different from the hypercoagulable state induced by malignancy, and has significant implications with regards to prognosis and therapeutic options. We describe a case of an otherwise healthy 30-year-old patient with extensive gonadal and renal vein tumor thrombus from testicular germ cell cancer, as well as discuss the diagnosis and treatment options for this type of metastatic disease.

Idiopathic pyometra in a postmenopausal patient.

Pyometra is a rare gynecological condition most commonly seen in elderly, postmenopausal women. Malignancy should always be considered as the primary etiology until proven otherwise in the investigation of an intrauterine infection. Clinical signs and symptoms can be vague or nonexistent, and thorough investigation with ultrasound and cross-sectional imaging may be necessary to understand the extent of the disease and best course of treatment.