A multilevel analysis of factors influencing the flow efficiency of the cataract surgery process in hospitals.

Purpose: To detect factors contributing to variation in cataract surgery processes.

Methods: A multilevel study was conducted to compare the process of cataract surgery between hospitals in Belgium. The main data were collected through non-participative observations and time measurements in four hospitals.

Effects of physician-owned specialized facilities in health care: a systematic review.

Background: Multiple studies have investigated physician-owned specialized facilities (specialized hospitals and ambulatory surgery centres). However, the evidence is fragmented and the literature lacks cohesion.

Objectives: To provide a comprehensive overview of the effects of physician-owned specialized facilities by synthesizing the findings of published empirical studies.

How do referring clinicians want radiologists to report? Suggestions from the COVER survey.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate what referring clinicians suggest when asked how the quality of radiology reports can be improved. METHODS: At the end of the questionnaire of the COVER survey, a bi-national quantitative survey on the radiology report among referring physicians, clinical specialists and general practitioners were able to freely enter suggestions with regard to improving the quality of the report. These suggestions were isolated from the quantitative results.

Variability of CT contrast enhancement in the pancreas: a cause for concern?

Background: Multidetector CT is a valuable technique for diagnosis/staging in several pancreatic pathologies. Diagnosis is usually based on tissue density measurements. Recently, newer functional CT techniques have been introduced.

Do hospital physicians' attitudes change during PACS implementation? A cross-sectional acceptance study.

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to gain a better insight into the reasons why hospital physicians accept and use a Picture Archiving and Communication System (PACS). Two research questions are put forward, pertaining to (1) factors that contribute to physicians' acceptance of PACS, and (2) whether these factors change as physicians gain experience in using PACS.

Methods: Questionnaires were administered at three moments in time during the PACS implementation process in a private hospital: just before its introduction (T1), four months later (T2), and about fifteen months after the introduction of PACS (T3).

Correlation of contrast-detail analysis and clinical image quality assessment in chest radiography with a human cadaver study.

Purpose: To determine the correlation between the clinical and physical image quality of chest images by using cadavers embalmed with the Thiel technique and a contrast-detail phantom.

Materials And Methods: The use of human cadavers fulfilled the requirements of the institutional ethics committee. Clinical image quality was assessed by using three human cadavers embalmed with the Thiel technique, which results in excellent preservation of the flexibility and plasticity of organs and tissues.

Assessment of tumor vascularization in pancreatic adenocarcinoma using 128-slice perfusion computed tomography imaging.

Objective: Computed tomography (CT) perfusion studies can provide valuable information regarding tumor vascularization. We report on a study assessing CT perfusion characteristics in the normal pancreas and in patients with pancreatic adenocarcinoma.

Methods: Twenty healthy subjects and 20 patients with histologically confirmed pancreatic adenocarcinoma were included in the study after written informed consent and approval by our institutional review board.

Assessment of neovascular permeability in a pancreatic tumor model using dynamic contrast-enhanced (DCE) MRI with contrast agents of different molecular weights.

Object: We evaluated the relationship of dynamic contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (DCE-MRI)-derived pharmacokinetic parameters and contrast agents with different molecular weights (MW) in a pancreatic tumor mouse model.

Materials And Methods: Panc02 tumors were induced in mice at the hind leg. DCE-MRI was performed using Gadolinium (Gd)-based contrast agents with different MW: Gd-DOTA (0.

Noninvasive monitoring of therapy-induced microvascular changes in a pancreatic cancer model using dynamic contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging with P846, a new low-diffusible gadolinium-based contrast agent.

A predictive technique in the management of patients with cancer could improve the therapeutic index by allowing better individualization of treatment. Dynamic contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (DCE-MRI) is a noninvasive technique that can provide anatomical and physiological information on the tumor and its microenvironment. We studied the effect of chemotherapy (gemcitabine), anti-angiogenesis therapy (sunitinib) and radiotherapy on the kinetics of DCE-MRI parameters in a preclinical model of pancreatic cancer using P846, a new low-diffusible contrast agent.

Acute pancreatitis: radiologic scores in predicting severity and outcome.

Acute pancreatitis (AP) is a common inflammatory disease which can be mild and self-limiting without complications or severe with prolonged hospitalization, high morbidity, and high mortality. Different radiological scoring systems to predict severity and outcome in AP have been developed since the early 1990s. In the meantime, new insights in the pathophysiology of AP and consequently, therapeutic management of these patients have been introduced.

Monitoring the PACS implementation process in a large university hospital--discrepancies between radiologists and physicians.

Successfully introducing a new technology in a health-care setting is not a walk in the park. Many barriers need to be overcome, not only technical and financial but also human barriers. In this study, we focus on the human barriers to health-care information systems' implementation.

Is combined 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose-positron emission tomography/computed tomography superior to positron emission tomography or computed tomography alone for diagnosis, staging and restaging of pancreatic lesions?

Background And Study Aims: To evaluate whether combined 18F-FDG PET/CT has an additive value over 18F-FDG-PET or CT alone for diagnosis, staging and restaging of pancreatic lesions.

Patients And Methods: Forty-six consecutive patients (23 women, 23 men; median age 62.5 years) underwent FDG-PET/CT.

Extrapancreatic inflammation on abdominal computed tomography as an early predictor of disease severity in acute pancreatitis: evaluation of a new scoring system.

Objective: To introduce a new scoring system based on signs of systemic inflammation on computed tomography (CT) [ExtraPancreatic Inflammation on CT (EPIC) score] and evaluate this score as an early prognostic tool.

Methods: Forty patients with acute pancreatitis who received an abdominal CT within 24 h after admission were included in the study. The Balthazar score, the CT Severity Index, and the EPIC score (based on the presence of pleural effusion, ascites, and retroperitoneal fluid collections) were calculated for all patients.

Image quality and radiation dose on digital chest imaging: comparison of amorphous silicon and amorphous selenium flat-panel systems.

Objective: The aim of this study was to compare the image quality and radiation dose in chest imaging using an amorphous silicon flat-panel detector system and an amorphous selenium flat-panel detector system. In addition, the low-contrast performance of both systems with standard and low radiation doses was compared.

Materials And Methods: In two groups of 100 patients each, digital chest radiographs were acquired with either an amorphous silicon or an amorphous selenium flat-panel system.

Image quality performance of liquid crystal display systems: influence of display resolution, magnification and window settings on contrast-detail detection.

The aim of this study was to investigate the combined effects of liquid crystal display (LCD) resolution, image magnification and window/level adjustment on the low-contrast performance in soft-copy image interpretation in digital radiography and digital mammography. In addition, the effect of a new LCD noise reduction mechanism on the low-contrast detectability was studied. Digital radiographs and mammograms of two dedicated contrast-detail phantoms (CDRAD 2.