A practical guide to managing CT findings in the breast.

While it is well accepted that CT is not an optimal imaging study to evaluate the breasts, findings on chest CT may be the first indication of an occult malignancy. The nonspecific appearance of breast findings and the lack of consensus guidelines for managing incidental breast findings may dissuade radiologists from thoroughly evaluating the breasts on CT. We review commonly encountered breast findings on CT and present an algorithm for managing incidentally detected breast findings.

MRI for appendicitis in pregnancy: is seeing believing? clinical outcomes in cases of appendix nonvisualization.

Purpose: The primary objective of this study was to determine the clinical outcomes in cases of appendix nonvisualization with MRI in pregnant patients with suspected appendicitis and the implications of appendix nonvisualization for excluding appendicitis.

Methods: Fifty-eight pregnant patients with suspected appendicitis evaluated with MRI at three centers from a single institution were retrospectively reviewed by three radiologists with varying levels of abdominal imaging experience. All scans were performed on a 1.

Early Results From the Implementation of a Lung Cancer Screening Program: The Beaumont Health System Experience.

Purpose: In 2010, a new study published by the National Lung Screening Trial showed a 20% reduction in mortality for those patients screened with low-dose computed topography (CT) versus x-ray. Recently, the Centers of Medicare and Medicaid have agreed to cover this service for those patients who meet the screening criteria. We compare the outcomes and costs associated with developing and implementing a lung cancer screening program.

Vitreomacular traction syndrome: postoperative functional and anatomic outcomes.

Background And Objective: To analyze a variety of vitreomacular traction (VMT) morphologies to establish a major classification that better reflects the preoperative predictive factors of postoperative visual and anatomic outcomes.

Patients And Methods: Thirty-six eyes submitted to vitrectomy surgery were categorized with a VMT pattern (V- or J-shaped) and diameter (focal < 1,500 µm or broad > 1,500 µm) based on optical coherence tomography.

Results: The researchers compared different classifications of VMT.

The role of saline flush injection rate in displacement of CT-injectable peripherally inserted central catheter tip during power injection of contrast material.

Objective: The purpose of this article is to determine the rate and the cause of displacement of CT power-injectable peripherally inserted central catheters (CT-PICCs) during contrast material and saline flush injection and to modify CT-scanning protocols to decrease the frequency of displacement.

Materials And Methods: In the laboratory setting, in vitro modeling of CTPICC displacement during power injection was examined while varying the initial rate of injection of the saline flush. In the clinical setting, the CT images of all patients at a large academic hospital for one calendar year who underwent power injection of CT contrast media were reviewed for CT-PICC displacement.

Shielding artificially increases the attenuation of water: study of CT gradient attenuation induced by shielding (CT GAINS).

Rationale And Objectives: Quantitatively analyze the computed tomography (CT) attenuation effects caused by bismuth shields, which are used to reduce superficial organ dose.

Materials And Methods: The solid water uniformity section of the American College of Radiology CT phantom was scanned with a modified chest CT protocol. Scans were performed with a bismuth breast shield in multiple configurations, emphasizing three clinically relevant orientations.

A comprehensive approach to CT radiation dose reduction: one institution's experience.

Objective: The purpose of this article is to review the process of creating and implementing a comprehensive plan to reduce diagnostic radiation exposure at our institution.

Conclusion: This process, which was initiated by forming a radiation dose reduction committee, addressed several different issues to improve patient safety. These include avoidance of unnecessary CT examinations, adjusting individual scanning parameters, revising protocols, use of shielding and dose monitoring, and implementing computer-based dose modulation software as well as educating referring physicians and radiologic technologists.

Three-year safety and visual acuity results of epimacular 90 strontium/90 yttrium brachytherapy with bevacizumab for the treatment of subfoveal choroidal neovascularization secondary to age-related macular degeneration.

Purpose: To evaluate the long-term safety and visual acuity outcomes associated with epimacular strontium 90 brachytherapy combined with intravitreal bevacizumab for the treatment of subfoveal choroidal neovascularization because of age-related macular degeneration.

Methods: Thirty-four treatment-naive patients with predominantly classic, minimally classic, and occult subfoveal choroidal neovascularization lesions participated in this prospective, 2-year, nonrandomized multicenter study. Subjects from 1 center (n = 19) were reconsented and followed-up for 3 years.