A Survey of Interventional Radiologists Regarding the Use of Morbidity and Mortality Conferencing in Departmental Quality Improvement Programs.

Purpose: To investigate the degree to which morbidity and mortality (M&M) conferencing is utilized in interventional radiology (IR), identify impediments to its adoption, and assess the experience of those using this tool.

Materials And Methods: Members of the Society of Interventional Radiology (SIR) were offered a 9-question survey of practices and experiences regarding M&M conferencing within their quality assessment (QA) programs.

Results: Among 604 respondents, 37.

Literature Review of Percutaneous Stenting for Palliative Treatment of Malignant Superior Vena Cava Syndrome (SVCS).

Rationale And Objectives: To assess the efficacy and safety of percutaneous stenting for the palliative treatment of malignant superior vena cava syndrome (SVCS).

Methods And Materials: Literature review of retrospective studies was performed regarding direct procedural complications (fatal and non-fatal), clinical effectiveness, and patency rates (primary and secondary) of percutaneous transluminal stenting for the palliative treatment of malignant SVCS. Pooled rates and 95% confidence intervals were calculated for fatal complications, non-fatal complications, clinical effectiveness, primary patency, and secondary patency.

Cause determination of missed lung nodules and impact of reader training and education: Simulation study with nodule insertion software.

Background: There are "blind spots" on chest computed tomography (CT) where pulmonary nodules can easily be overlooked. The number of missed pulmonary nodules can be minimized by instituting a training program with particular focus on the depiction of nodules at blind spots.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to assess the variation in lung nodule detection in chest CT based on location, attenuation characteristics, and reader experience.

Turning around cancer: Oncology imaging and implications for emergency department radiology workflow.

Purpose: Oncologic imaging in the emergency department (ED) is frequently encountered, including non-acute scans known as "metastatic workups" or "staging" (referred to as "cancer staging computed tomography (CT) exams"). This study examines the impact of oncologic staging CT exams on ED imaging turnaround time (TAT), defined as the time from the end of the CT exam to a final signed radiologist report, as well as order to scan completion time.

Methods: A retrospective review was conducted of all adult patients presenting to an urban, quaternary academic medical center ED from February 2016 to September 2017, who had CT imaging ordered, performed, and interpreted in the ED imaging department.

Assessment of Pediatric Neurotrauma Imaging Appropriateness at a Level I Pediatric Trauma Center.

Purpose: The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence of appropriate neuroimaging on the basis of the ACR Appropriateness Criteria among pediatric patients presenting after head trauma to a level I emergency department.

Methods: A retrospective emergency department record review was performed for patients <18 years of age undergoing head CT or MRI for the indication "head trauma" between January 2013 and December 2014. Clinical history and symptoms were compared with the ACR Appropriateness Criteria; the indication was deemed appropriate for ratings of ≥7.

Low back pain in the emergency department-are the ACR Appropriateness Criteria being followed?

Purpose: To assess the prevalence of appropriate imaging among emergency department (ED) patients with low back pain.

Methods: Our level-1 ED records were retrospectively searched for patients with a chief compliant of "low back pain" from January to April 2013. Of 624 patients, 100 were randomly selected and analyzed for their demographics, presentation, imaging, treatment, and outcomes.

Rapidly evolving large extracranial vertebral artery pseudoaneurysm in Behçet's disease: Case report and review of the literature.

Behçet's disease is a multisystem chronic autoimmune disease of unknown etiology with a wide spectrum of symptoms and organ system involvement. Arterial manifestations, particularly of the extracranial vertebral arteries, are rare. We report an unusual case of an African American patient with Behçet's disease, who presented with bilateral spontaneous vertebral artery pseudoaneurysms.

E-portfolio competency metadata: pilot study for a call to action.

The six competency domains required by the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) have led to a proliferation of measurement tools, assessment methods, and all forms of data from paper to electronic. The need exists to develop a standardized electronic (e)-portfolio to provide the aggregate data to improve education and patient care. This process requires a sound methodology using XML metadata to allow portability of e-portfolio data.

How often are previously undetected radiographic abnormalities detected at the time of CT simulation for breast cancer patients?

Objectives: In most institutions, planning computed tomography (CT) scans are not interpreted by diagnostic radiologists. The purpose of this analysis was to determine the percentage of cases in which a previously undetected radiographic finding was found on review of CT simulation images by diagnostic radiology.

Methods: At the Henry Ford West Bloomfield Center, CT simulations are prospectively interpreted by diagnostic radiologists and a formal report is generated.

A pilot study of comprehensive ultrasound education at the Wayne State University School of Medicine: a pioneer year review.

Objective: Ultrasound is a versatile diagnostic modality used in a variety of medical fields. Wayne State University School of Medicine (WSUSOM) is one of the first medical schools in the United States to integrate an ultrasound curriculum through both basic science courses and clinical clerkships.

Methods: In 2006, 25 portable ultrasound units were donated to WSUSOM.

Developing a scoring rubric for resident research presentations: a pilot study.

Background: A requirement for all Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) approved residencies is the provision of "an opportunity for residents to participate in research." To comply with this requirement, most training programs encourage their residents to conduct research and to report their results. Few guidelines exist, however, for assessing the efficacy of the presentations.