Assessment of cervical spine CT by an image quality audit using qualitative and quantitative methods.

Introduction: To study the feasibility and assess the correlation of qualitative and quantitative methods for an image quality (IQ) audit of a Cervical spine CT.

Methods: Five radiologists retrospectively performed a blinded visual grading analysis (VGA) on 20 studies (10 from Protocol 1 and 10 from Protocol 2), using the RANZCR CT IQ Self-Audit worksheet. A Visual Grading Analysis Score (VGAS) and Area under the curve using Visual Grading Characteristics (AUC) were the figures of merit.

The cost of perfection: An investigation into the unnecessary rejection of clinically acceptable lateral wrist imaging.

Introduction: This study illustrates image rejection rates of the lateral wrist x-ray projection at a large, public teaching hospital. Rejected images were evaluated to determine the number of images that needed to be repeated based on the clinical indication. This study highlights the difference in subjective image-repeat decision-making skills existing between radiologists, experienced radiographers and junior radiographers.

Dyspnoea and restrictive lung disease due to mediastinal and pleural lipomatosis in morbid obesity.

Dyspnoea in obese patients can be multifactorial and complex. Mediastinal and pleural lipomatosis can be associated with obesity and is usually considered asymptomatic and benign. We report an obese 39-year-old man who presented with progressive dyspnoea, where in addition to obstructive sleep apnoea and obesity hypoventilation syndrome, was found to have massive mediastinal and pleural lipomatosis causing restrictive lung disease.

Cardiac dysfunction in exacerbations of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease is often not detected by electrocardiogram and chest radiographs.

Background: Cardiac dysfunction is common in exacerbations of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), even in patients without clinically suspected cardiac disorders.

Aim: To investigate associations between electrocardiogram (ECG) and chest radiograph abnormalities and biochemical evidence of cardiac dysfunction (N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide and troponin T) in patients hospitalised with exacerbations of COPD at Waikato Hospital.

Methods: Independent examiners, blinded to NT-proBNP and troponin T levels, assessed ECG for tachycardia, atrial fibrillation, ventricular hypertrophy and ischaemic changes in 389 patients and chest radiographs for signs of heart failure in 350 patients.

A low incidence of iodine-induced hyperthyroidism following administration of iodinated contrast in an iodine-deficient region.

Objective: There are limited data on the incidence of iodinated contrast-induced thyrotoxicosis, particularly in iodine-deficient regions. The aim of this study was to determine the incidence of iodinated contrast-induced thyrotoxicosis and to determine whether thyrotoxicosis was more common in patients ≥70 years compared to those <70 years of age.

Design: A prospective study of adult patients undergoing an outpatient CT with iodinated contrast was performed.

Adherence to adrenal incidentaloma guidelines is influenced by radiology report recommendations.

Introduction: Approximately 5% of all abdominal computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans reveal an adrenal incidentaloma. Although most adrenal incidentalomas are benign non-functioning adenomas, lesions may be hormonally active and/or malignant. The aim of this study was to determine adherence to recommended international guidelines and potential influencing factors when an adrenal incidentaloma is identified in routine clinical practice.

Conscious sedation reduces distress in children undergoing voiding cystourethrography and does not interfere with the diagnosis of vesicoureteric reflux: a randomized controlled study.

Objective: Voiding cystourethrography (VCU) is a distressing procedure for children. Conscious sedation using oral midazolam may reduce this distress, but its use may also alter the ability of the VCU to show vesicoureteric reflux (VUR). The objectives of our study were to assess the effectiveness of conscious sedation using oral midazolam when administered routinely in children undergoing VCU and to ensure that conscious sedation using oral midazolam does not alter the ability of VCU to show VUR.