Stereotactic breast biopsy: comparison of histologic underestimation rates with 11- and 9-gauge vacuum-assisted breast biopsy.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to compare histologic underestimations at stereotactic 11- and 9-gauge vacuum-assisted breast biopsy.

Materials And Methods: The reports of 1,223 consecutive stereotactic vacuum-assisted breast biopsies were retrospectively reviewed. An 11-gauge device was used to perform 828 and a 9-gauge device to perform 395 biopsies.

BI-RADS lexicon for US and mammography: interobserver variability and positive predictive value.

Purpose: To retrospectively evaluate interobserver variability between breast radiologists by using terminology of the fourth edition of the Breast Imaging Reporting and Data System (BI-RADS) to categorize lesions on mammograms and sonograms and to retrospectively determine the positive predictive value (PPV) of BI-RADS categories 4a, 4b, and 4c.

Materials And Methods: Institutional review board approval was obtained; informed consent was not required. This study was HIPAA compliant.

Characterization of breast masses with sonography: can biopsy of some solid masses be deferred?

Objective: To determine whether sonography can be used to categorize some solid breast masses as probably benign so that biopsy can be deferred.

Methods: We prospectively characterized 844 sonographically visible solid breast masses referred for biopsy. Mammographic and sonographic features of the masses were recorded, and all masses were categorized by American College of Radiology Breast Imaging Reporting and Data System classification before biopsy.

Mammographic findings in pseudoxanthoma elasticum.

Background: There have been isolated case reports of arterial and skin calcification in mammograms of patients with pseudoxanthoma elasticum (PXE), and unpublished anecdotes of many women with PXE undergoing breast biopsy for evaluation of microcalcifications.

Objective: Our aim was to systematically evaluate mammography and breast pathology in PXE.

Methods: The mammograms of 51 women with confirmed PXE were compared with those of a control sample of 109 women without PXE, noting each of the following characteristics on each mammogram: breast density, skin thickening, skin microcalcifications, vascular calcification, breast microcalcifications and macrocalcifications, and masses.

Preferential use of sonographically guided biopsy to minimize patient discomfort and procedure time in a percutaneous image-guided breast biopsy program.

Objective: To determine whether preferential use of sonographic guidance for percutaneous biopsy of breast masses results in a subset of patients with a shorter procedure time and less discomfort compared with patients undergoing stereotactic biopsy.

Methods: A prospective observational study was performed on 193 women undergoing percutaneous image-guided breast biopsy between 1997 and 1999. Data were collected on room time, physician time, and patient comfort levels for 122 stereotactic and 71 sonographically guided biopsies.

Data from a professional society placement service as a measure of the employment market for physicians.

Purpose: To determine whether data from a professional society placement service--the Professional Bureau of the American College of Radiology--are a valid measure of the employment market.

Materials And Methods: For the United States from 1990 to 1998, the authors compared three placement service measures-the annual number of job listings, job seekers, and listings per seeker-with two presumably valid measures of the employment market-annual total jobs available (which was ascertained from surveys of hiring) and radiologist median income relative to the all-physician median. For the comparisons, both graphic displays of the data and correlation were used.

Radiation oncologists in 2000: demographic, professional, and practice characteristics.

Purpose: To describe the demographic, professional, and practice characteristics of radiation oncologists, emphasizing comparisons to data from a similar 1995 Survey.

Methods And Materials: In spring 2000, we surveyed 603 randomly selected radiation oncologists by mail, using a one-page questionnaire-455 responded. We weighted responses to make answers representative of all radiation oncologists in the United States.

Data from a professional society placement service as a measure of the employment market for radiation oncologists.

Purpose: To aid in understanding the employment market for radiation oncologists, we present annual data for 1991 to 2000 from the American College of Radiology's placement service, the Professional Bureau. This data series is twice as long as any previously available. Secondarily, we compare these data with other data on the employment market.

Too few radiologists?

Objective: The purpose of our study was to model the supply and demand for diagnostic radiologists over the next 30 years under alternative scenarios.

Materials And Methods: We used responses from the American College of Radiology's 2000 Survey of Diagnostic Radiologists and Radiation Oncologists to determine the current age distribution and activity of diagnostic radiologists. The numbers entering the profession were projected using three assumptions: no change in training programs, reduction of residency to 3 years (or otherwise increasing the annual number of graduates by one third), and elimination of most fellowship programs.

Diagnostic radiologists in 2000: basic characteristics, practices, and issues related to the radiologist shortage.

Objective: We sought to describe radiologists and their practices, emphasizing trends in retirement age, practice size, and perceived workload burden.

Materials And Methods: In spring 2000, we surveyed 3,027 randomly selected radiologists by mail, of whom 74% responded. We weighted responses to make answers representative of all radiologists and compared findings with a similar 1995 survey.

Initial employment experiences of 1997 graduates of radiation oncology training programs.

Purpose: To inform the profession of current trends in the job market, the American College of Radiology (ACR) sought to detail the job-hunting experiences and outcomes of 1997 graduates of radiation oncology training programs.

Methods And Materials: In early 1998, questionnaires were mailed to all graduates; 67% responded. Results were compared with similar surveys of 1996 graduates.

Mammography-related anxiety: effect of preprocedural patient education.

Objectives: To determine the effect of preprocedural education on mammography-related anxiety.

Materials And Methods: A total of 613 women undergoing mammography were surveyed regarding anxiety about the procedure and expected results. Half the study population watched an educational videotape and half watched an entertaining movie in the waiting room.

The status of radiation oncology training programs and their graduates in 1999.

Purpose: To keep the profession apprised of current trends in the job market, the American College of Radiology (ACR) studied the employment situation of 1999 radiation oncology graduates and the status and plans of radiation oncology training programs.

Methods And Materials: During mid-April to the beginning of June 1999, the ACR surveyed all radiation oncology residency directors about the employment situation of their residency and fellowship graduates, changes in their programs, and incoming trainees. Eighty-four percent (74/88) responded.

Hiring of diagnostic radiologists in 1998.

Objective: We sought to determine the 1998 hiring activities of physician practices with respect to diagnostic radiologists.

Materials And Methods: A survey was mailed to a sample of 970 radiology practices in the spring through fall of 1999; 73.0% responded.

1997 Graduates Speak: initial employment experiences of residency and fellowship graduates.

Objective: The American College of Radiology sought to detail the initial employment experience of 1997 diagnostic radiology graduates and recent trends.

Materials And Methods: In early 1998, questionnaires were mailed to all graduates; 65% responded. Results were compared with similar surveys of 1995 and 1996 graduates.

The status of diagnostic radiology training programs and their graduates in 1999.

Objective: To address job market concerns, the American College of Radiology studied the employment of 1999 graduates from diagnostic radiology training programs and the programs' status and plans.

Materials And Methods: In late April to the beginning of June 1999, the American College of Radiology surveyed a 50% random sample of diagnostic radiology residency directors about the employment status of their 1999 residency and fellowship graduates as well as about plans for their training programs. Seventy-seven percent responded.

The situation of radiation oncology practice training programs and their graduates in 1998.

Purpose: To keep the profession apprised of current trends in the job market, the American College of Radiology (ACR) studied the employment situation of 1998 radiation oncology graduates and the status and plans of radiation oncology training programs in the United States.

Methods And Materials: In April-May 1998, and again in a December 1998-January 1999 follow-up, the ACR surveyed all radiation oncology residency directors in the U.S.

Hiring of diagnostic radiologists in 1997.

Objective: We sought to determine the hiring activities of physician groups with respect to diagnostic radiologists.

Materials And Methods: A survey was mailed to a stratified, random sample of 589 groups of physicians in the autumn of 1997; 76% responded. Responses were weighted to represent all practices in the United States that have more than one radiologist.

The situation of diagnostic radiology training programs and their graduates in 1998.

Objective: In light of concerns about the job market, the American College of Radiology studied the employment situation of 1998 graduates from diagnostic radiology training programs and the status and plans of the programs.

Materials And Methods: In April and May 1998, the American College of Radiology surveyed a 50% random sample of diagnostic radiology residency directors about the employment situation of their 1998 residency and fellowship graduates and about their programs. Ninety-one percent of those surveyed responded.

The situation of radiation oncology training programs and their graduates in 1997.

Purpose: In light of concerns about the job market, the American College of Radiology (ACR) studied the employment situation of 1997 radiation oncology graduates, and the status and plans of radiation oncology training programs.

Methods And Materials: In April-May 1997, and in a December follow-up, the ACR surveyed all radiation oncology residency directors about the employment situation of their 1997 residency and fellowship graduates and about their programs. Ninety-four percent of those surveyed responded.

The situation of diagnostic radiology training programs and their graduates in 1997.

Objective: In light of concerns about the job market, the American College of Radiology studied the employment situation of 1997 graduates from diagnostic radiology training programs and the status and plans of these programs.

Materials And Methods: In an April-May 1997 survey and in a December 1997 follow-up, the American College of Radiology asked a 50% random sample of diagnostic radiology residency directors about their programs and about the employment situation of their 1997 residency and fellowship graduates. Of those surveyed, 89% responded.