The prevalence of harassment of diagnostic radiography and radiation therapy students whilst on clinical placement in the Republic of Ireland.

Objective: To determine if student radiographers and radiation therapists experience harassment (verbal, physical or sexual) while on clinical placement and their awareness of policies in place to report such incidents.

Methods: An online questionnaire developed from the World Health Organisation's questionnaire on workplace violence in healthcare and the higher education authority (HEA) national survey of student experiences of sexual violence and harassment in Irish HEIs was used. Undergraduate and postgraduate diagnostic radiography and radiation therapy students in the Republic of Ireland to be included and have completed a minimum of four weeks of clinical placement.

Education and training in radiation protection in Europe: results from the EURAMED Rocc-n-Roll project survey.

Purpose: To analyse the existing radiation protection (RP) education and training (E&T) capabilities in the European Union and identify associated needs, problems and challenges.

Method: An online survey was disseminated via the EURAMED Rocc-n-Roll consortium network and prominent medical societies in the field of radiological research. The survey sections analyse the RP E&T during undergraduate, residency/internship and continuous professional development; RP E&T problems and legal implementation.

Evaluation of image quality of diffusion weighted readout segmentation of long variable echo-trains MR pulse sequence for lumbosacral nerve imaging at 3T.

Background: Limited magnetic resonance (MR) pulse sequences facilitate lumbosacral nerve imaging with acceptable image quality. This study aimed to evaluate the impact of parameter modification for Diffusion Weighted Image (DWI) using Readout Segmentation of Long Variable Echo-trains (RESOLVE) sequence with opportunities for improving the visibility of lumbosacral nerves and image quality.

Methods: Following ethical approval and acquisition of informed consent, imaging of an MR phantom and twenty healthy volunteers (n=20) was prospectively performed with 3T MRI scanner.

Education and training in radiation protection in Europe: an analysis from the EURAMED rocc-n-roll project.

Background: A Strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats analysis was performed to understand the status quo of education and training in radiation protection (RP) and to develop a coordinated European approach to RP training needs based on stakeholder consensus and existing activities in the field. Fourteen team members represented six European professional societies, one European voluntary organisation, two international healthcare organisations and five professions, namely: Medical Physicists; Nuclear Medicine Physicians; Radiologists; Radiation Oncologists and Radiographers. Four subgroups analysed the "Strengths", "Weaknesses", "Opportunities" and "Threats" related to E&T in RP developed under previous European Union (EU) programmes and on the Guidelines on Radiation Protection Education and Training of Medical Professionals in the EU.

Agreement Between International Radiologists on the Appropriateness and Urgency in Lumbar Spine MRI Referrals.

Purpose: To determine how radiologists across health-care jurisdictions internationally assess the appropriateness and urgency levels of lumbar spine Magnetic Resonance Imaging MRI referrals.

Patients And Methods: Clinical information was extracted from 203 lumbar spine MRI referrals. Texts were divided into 10 datasets and embedded into a software to facilitate the classification process.

Exploring the translational challenge for medical applications of ionising radiation and corresponding radiation protection research.

Background: Medical applications of ionising radiation and associated radiation protection research often encounter long delays and inconsistent implementation when translated into clinical practice. A coordinated effort is needed to analyse the research needs for innovation transfer in radiation-based high-quality healthcare across Europe which can inform the development of an innovation transfer framework tailored for equitable implementation of radiation research at scale.

Methods: Between March and September 2021 a Delphi methodology was employed to gain consensus on key translational challenges from a range of professional stakeholders.

Identifying lumbosacral plexus nerve root abnormalities in patients with sciatica using 3T readout-segmented echo-planar diffusion weighted MR neurography.

Objectives: To investigate the accuracy of Diffusion Weighted Imaging (DWI) using the Readout Segmentation of Long Variable Echo-trains (RESOLVE) sequence in detecting lumbosacral nerve abnormalities.

Methods: Following institutional ethics committee approval, patients with sciatica-type lower limb radicular symptoms (n = 110) were recruited and prospectively scanned using 3T MRI. Additional participants (n = 17) who underwent neurophysiological testing (EMG/NCV), were also prospectively studied.

AN INTERVENTIONAL CARDIOLOGY INVESTIGATION: PATIENT EXPOSURE TO RADIATION AND INTER-OPERATOR VARIABILITY IN AN IRISH SETTING.

Aim: To evaluate patient radiation exposure for Diagnostic Coronary Angiography (DCA) and Percutaneous Cardiac Intervention (PCI) performed by different operators.

Methods And Results: Retrospective (n = 160) and prospective (n = 62) data for DCA (n = 179) and PCI (n = 43) examinations performed by interventional cardiologists (n = 3) using the same imaging equipment were reviewed. The operator with consistently low diagnostic reference levels (DRLs) was interviewed for their personal perceptions upon operator training.

Subjective Versus Quantitative Methods of Assessing Breast Density.

In order to find a consistent, simple and time-efficient method of assessing mammographic breast density (MBD), different methods of assessing density comparing subjective, quantitative, semi-subjective and semi-quantitative methods were investigated. Subjective MBD of anonymized mammographic cases ( = 250) from a national breast-screening programme was rated by 49 radiologists from two countries (UK and USA) who were voluntarily recruited. Quantitatively, three measurement methods, namely VOLPARA, Hand Delineation (HD) and ImageJ (IJ) were used to calculate breast density using the same set of cases, however, for VOLPARA only mammographic cases ( = 122) with full raw digital data were included.

Repeatability of transient elastography in children.

Background: Poorly performing diagnostic tests can impact patient safety. Clinical investigations must have good precision and diagnostic accuracy before widespread use in clinical practice. Transient elastography (TE) measures liver stiffness, a surrogate marker of liver fibrosis in adults and children.

Computer-aided detection tool development for teaching chest radiograph pattern recognition to undergraduate radiography students: A context needs and capability analysis.

Background: Medical imaging (MI) education has experienced a shift aligned with the advances in technology and the role played by radiographers in pattern recognition. This has led to increased use of technology-enhanced teaching and simulated learning approaches (e.g.

A Comparison of MRI Radiographers' Knowledge in Saudi Arabia and the Republic of Ireland in Relation to Image Quality Management, for Abdomen and Pelvic MRI Examinations.

Purpose: The purpose of this article was to qualitatively compare current MRI radiographers' knowledge from Saudi Arabia and the Republic of Ireland in relation to MR image quality for abdominal and pelvic MRI examinations.

Methods And Materials: Semistructured interviews were designed to investigate the professional role of radiographers towards image quality management, personal development in MRI, and training in relation to image quality improvement. Public, private, military, and academic hospitals in the Western region of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia participated, as did a range of public and private Irish centres.

Variability of Breast Density Classification Between US and UK Radiologists.

Purpose: To assess whether subjective breast density categorization remains the most useful way to categorize mammographic breast density and whether variations exist across geographic regions with differing national legislation.

Methods: Breast radiologists from two countries (UK, USA) were voluntarily recruited to review sets of anonymized mammographic images (n = 180) and additional repeated images (n = 70), totaling 250 images, to subjectively rate breast density according to the Breast Imaging Reporting and Data system (BI-RADS) categorization. Images were reviewed using standardized viewing conditions and Ziltron software.

THE IMPACT OF OBESITY ON ABDOMINAL CT RADIATION DOSE AND IMAGE QUALITY.

The aim of this study was to evaluate how iterative reconstruction can compensate for the noise increase in low radiation dose abdominal computed tomography (CT) technique for large size patients and the general impact of obesity on abdominal organ doses and image quality in CT. An anthropomorphic phantom layered with either none or a single layer of 3-cm- thick circumferential animal fat packs to simulate obese patients was imaged using a 128MDCT scanner. Abdominal protocols (n = 12) were applied using automatic tube current modulation (ATCM) with various quality reference mAs (150, 200, 250 and 300).

Validation of the educational effectiveness of a mobile learning app to improve knowledge about MR image quality optimisation and artefact reduction.

Aim: The aim was to design an app-based eLearning tool to provide radiographers with information about the physical basis of MR artefacts and practical elimination or/and minimisation strategies to optimise image quality, and to evaluate the impact of a smartphone app on radiographers' knowledge.

Methods: The study used the comparison-experimental approach (pre- and post-test). Thirty-five MR radiographers independently reviewed a prepared series of MR images (n = 25).

Influence of radiology expertise on the perception of nonmedical images.

Identifying if participants with differing diagnostic accuracy and visual search behavior during radiologic tasks also differ in nonradiologic tasks is investigated. Four clinician groups with different radiologic experience were used: a reference expert group of five consultant radiologists, four radiology registrars, five senior house officers, and six interns. Each of the four clinician groups is known to have significantly different performance in the identification of pneumothoraces in chest x-ray.

3T MRI of the knee with optimised isotropic 3D sequences: Accurate delineation of intra-articular pathology without prolonged acquisition times.

Objectives: To investigate optimised isotropic 3D turbo spin echo (TSE) and gradient echo (GRE)-based pulse sequences for visualisation of articular cartilage lesions within the knee joint.

Methods: Optimisation of experimental imaging sequences was completed using healthy volunteers (n=16) with a 3-Tesla (3T) MRI scanner. Imaging of patients with knee cartilage abnormalities (n=57) was then performed.

The Development of Expertise in Radiology: In Chest Radiograph Interpretation, "Expert" Search Pattern May Predate "Expert" Levels of Diagnostic Accuracy for Pneumothorax Identification.

Purpose To investigate the development of chest radiograph interpretation skill through medical training by measuring both diagnostic accuracy and eye movements during visual search. Materials and Methods An institutional exemption from full ethical review was granted for the study. Five consultant radiologists were deemed the reference expert group, and four radiology registrars, five senior house officers (SHOs), and six interns formed four clinician groups.

Frequency of paediatric medical imaging examinations performed at a European teaching hospital over a 7-year period.

Objectives: The aim of this retrospective cohort study was to gain an insight into frequencies by which a range of medical imaging (MI) examinations were performed on paediatric patients at the main acute general teaching hospital in Malta between 2008 and 2014.

Methods: Frequency data of MI examinations performed on paediatric patients were retrospectively collected from relevant information systems. All data was coded accordingly to facilitate data analysis.

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.

IEC 61267: Feasibility of type 1100 aluminium and a copper/aluminium combination for RQA beam qualities.

In the course of performance acceptance testing, benchmarking or quality control of X-ray imaging systems, it is sometimes necessary to harden the X-ray beam spectrum. IEC 61267 specifies materials and methods to accomplish beam hardening and, unfortunately, requires the use of 99.9% pure aluminium (Alloy 1190) for the RQA beam quality, which is expensive and difficult to obtain.

Decision Making and Variation in Radiation Exposure Factor Selection by Radiologic Technologists.

The goal of radiographic imaging is to produce a diagnostically useful image while minimizing patient radiation dose. This study aimed to review variations in exposure factor selection by radiologic technologists for virtual patients with varying body mass index characteristics. Eleven technologists were asked to assign exposure parameters (kVp, mAs, source-to-image receptor distance, and grid use) to 10 computer-generated patient images for each of four radiographic examinations (anteroposterior [AP] shoulder; AP lumbar spine; lateral lumbar spine; AP portable chest).

Paediatric imaging radiation dose awareness and use of referral guidelines amongst radiology practitioners and radiographers.

Objectives: The objectives are to investigate radiology practitioners' and radiographers' radiation dose awareness and use of referral guidelines for paediatric imaging examinations.

Methods: A prospective cross-sectional survey was conducted amongst radiology practitioners and radiographers working at a primary paediatric referral centre in Malta. Part of the survey asked participants to indicate the typical effective dose (ED) for several commonly performed paediatric imaging examinations, answer five true-false statements about radiation protection principles, and specify their use of referral guidelines for paediatric imaging.

The impact of pediatric-specific dose modulation curves on radiation dose and image quality in head computed tomography.

Background: The volume of CT examinations has increased with resultant increases in collective dose values over the last decade.

Objective: To analyze the impact of the tube current and voltage modulation for dose values and image quality of pediatric head CT examinations.

Materials And Methods: Head CT examinations were performed on anthropomorphic phantoms and four pediatric age categories before and after the introduction of dedicated pediatric curves for tube voltage and current modulation.

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.