Evaluation of a point-of-care ultrasound curriculum and ocular phantom in residency training.

Specialized training in ocular ultrasound is not a focus for most emergency medicine residencies, despite the fact that it allows physicians to quickly and accurately identify ocular pathology and prioritize emergency ophthalmological consultations. Therefore, we tested the value of utilizing normal and pathologic ocular ultrasound phantoms as a training tool for residents. Twenty emergency medicine residents were given a pre-test including written and practical skills diagnosis of ocular phantom pathologies, a short video on common ocular pathologies, practice time with the phantoms and a post-test including written and scanning components.

Multifocal epithelioid hemangioma of the metacarpal bones: A case report.

Epithelioid hemangioma of bone is a rare, locally aggressive but benign vascular tumor that is now recognized as a distinct entity from other vascular neoplasms. It is often difficult to distinguish on imaging studies from other vascular tumors, including epithelioid hemangioendothelioma, which can lead to misdiagnosis and inappropriate treatment. We present the characteristic features and multimodality imaging findings in the case of a 24-year-old female with multifocal epithelioid hemangioma of the first and second metacarpal bones with extension into the surrounding soft tissue.

Perforated small bowel GIST in an immunocompromised male.

Gastrointestinal (GI) stromal tumor is a relatively rare tumor of the GI tract, with estimated prevalence of 2%, which arises from the interstitial cells of Cajal. Common presentations range from asymptomatic to abdominal pain, bloating, GI bleeding, and anemia. Less-common signs include obstruction and peritonitis.

JOURNAL CLUB: Redefining the Radiology Curriculum in Medical School: Vertical Integration and Global Accessibility.

Objective: Radiology interconnects medical disciplines given that a working understanding of imaging is essential to clinicians of every specialty. Using online education, we created a globally accessible, web-based undergraduate medical radiology curriculum modeled after the National Medical Student Curriculum in Radiology program of the Alliance of Medical Student Educators in Radiology.

Subjects And Methods: Seventy-four radiology faculty-mentored video modules were produced, 50 of which were integrated into the 1st-year anatomy course.

Migration of innumerable chronically retained acupuncture needles.

We present a case of a 50-year-old female with a 2-day history of back and abdominal pain who was discovered to have innumerable chronically retained acupuncture needles, which had migrated throughout her abdomen and pelvis. Although many of these needles were in precarious positions, including the epidural space, renal parenchyma, small bowel, and vasculature, there was no evidence for acute injury. We also briefly discuss evidence for the magnetic resonance imaging compatibility of acupuncture needles.

Learner Improvement From a Simulation-Enhanced Ultrasonography Curriculum for First-Year Medical Students.

Objectives: We describe a simulation-enhanced ultrasonography (US) curriculum for first-year medical students as part of a comprehensive curricular integration of US skills. Our goal was to assess student knowledge and performance of US and determine their satisfaction with the integrated curriculum.

Methods: A committee of basic science, clinical, and interinstitutional faculty developed 7 educational US modules integrated into existing anatomy and physiology courses.

Emergency imaging discrepancy rates at a level 1 trauma center: identifying the most common on-call resident "misses".

The focus of our research is to identify the most frequently reported on-call discrepancies at our hospital by modality and level of resident training. Our intent is to identify specific areas of concern that may be amenable to improvement through initiation of dedicated resident training in the field of emergency radiology. Our study included 648 significant discrepancies from 193,722 studies ordered through the emergency department over a 7-year period.

Retroperitoneal dedifferentiated liposarcoma with osteosarcomatous dedifferentiation.

We present a case of a dedifferentiated liposarcoma with osteosarcomatous degeneration in a 46-year-old male. The mass, palpated during a routine physical exam, was analyzed with dynamic, contrast-enhanced CT and CT-guided core-needle biopsy before surgical resection.

Renal functional outcomes after cryoablation of small renal masses.

Background And Purpose: Renal function outcomes after renal cryosurgery have not been widely scrutinized. We report 2-year renal function outcomes from a single-center cohort of patients who were treated with cryoablation for small renal masses.

Methods: We performed a retrospective review of our laparoscopic and percutaneous renal cryoablation experience between January 2003 and April 2007.

Single center experience with percutaneous and laparoscopic cryoablation of small renal masses.

Background And Purpose: While partial nephrectomy remains the gold standard for the management of most small renal masses, increasing experience with renal cryoablation has suggested a viable alternative with a favorable morbidity profile and good efficacy. We report intermediate-term oncologic outcomes from a single-center experience with laparoscopic and percutaneous renal cryoablation.

Patients And Methods: We performed a retrospective review of our laparoscopic renal cryoablation (LRC) and percutaneous renal cryoablation (PRC) experience between January 2003 and April 2007.

Ureteropelvic junction obstruction: does CT angiography allow better selection of therapeutic modalities and better patient outcome?

Purpose: To determine whether preoperative helical CT angiography (CTA) with three-dimensional (3D) reconstructed images improves outcome in patients with ureteropelvic junction obstruction (UPJO) by identifying crossing vessels that may lead to surgical failure.

Patients And Methods: Twenty-five patients with UPJO underwent imaging with CTA to identify crossing vessels. Patients with crossing vessels or severe hydronephrosis underwent laparoscopic dismembered pyeloplasty.