La Radiologia medica
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La Radiologia medica · Dec 2020
Multicenter Study Comparative StudyBaseline chest X-ray in coronavirus disease 19 (COVID-19) patients: association with clinical and laboratory data.
To assess the reliability of CXR and to describe CXR findings and clinical and laboratory characteristics associated with positive and negative CXR. ⋯ CXR has a low sensitivity. LDH, CRP and interval between the onset of symptoms and the execution of CXR are major predictors for a positive CXR.
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La Radiologia medica · Dec 2020
Chest CT in patients with a moderate or high pretest probability of COVID-19 and negative swab.
We aimed to assess the diagnostic performance of CT in patients with a negative first RT-PCR testing and to identify typical features of COVID-19 pneumonia that can guide diagnosis in this case. ⋯ Negative RT-PCR test but positive CT features should be highly suggestive of COVID-19 in a cluster or community transmission scenarios, and the second RT-PCR test should be promptly requested to confirm the final diagnosis.
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Artificial intelligence (AI) is entering the clinical arena, and in the early stage, its implementation will be focused on the automatization tasks, improving diagnostic accuracy and reducing reading time. Many studies investigate the potential role of AI to support cardiac radiologist in their day-to-day tasks, assisting in segmentation, quantification, and reporting tasks. ⋯ Since these algorithms will play an important role in the field of cardiac radiology, it is increasingly important for radiologists to be familiar with the potential applications of AI. The main focus of this article is to provide an overview of cardiac-related AI applications for CT and MRI studies, as well as non-imaging-based applications for reporting and image optimization.
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La Radiologia medica · Oct 2020
Review Practice GuidelineBreast imaging and cancer diagnosis during the COVID-19 pandemic: recommendations from the Italian College of Breast Radiologists by SIRM.
The Italian College of Breast Radiologists by the Italian Society of Medical Radiology (SIRM) provides recommendations for breast care provision and procedural prioritization during COVID-19 pandemic, being aware that medical decisions must be currently taken balancing patient's individual and community safety: (1) patients having a scheduled or to-be-scheduled appointment for in-depth diagnostic breast imaging or needle biopsy should confirm the appointment or obtain a new one; (2) patients who have suspicious symptoms of breast cancer (in particular: new onset palpable nodule; skin or nipple retraction; orange peel skin; unilateral secretion from the nipple) should request non-deferrable tests at radiology services; (3) asymptomatic women performing annual mammographic follow-up after breast cancer treatment should preferably schedule the appointment within 1 year and 3 months from the previous check, compatibly with the local organizational conditions; (4) asymptomatic women who have not responded to the invitation for screening mammography after the onset of the pandemic or have been informed of the suspension of the screening activity should schedule the check preferably within 3 months from the date of the not performed check, compatibly with local organizational conditions. The Italian College of Breast Radiologists by SIRM recommends precautions to protect both patients and healthcare workers (radiologists, radiographers, nurses, and reception staff) from infection or disease spread on the occasion of breast imaging procedures, particularly mammography, breast ultrasound, breast magnetic resonance imaging, and breast intervention procedures.
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La Radiologia medica · Oct 2020
Chest CT for early detection and management of coronavirus disease (COVID-19): a report of 314 patients admitted to Emergency Department with suspected pneumonia.
The purpose of our study was to assess the potential role of chest CT in the early detection of COVID-19 pneumonia and to explore its role in patient management in an adult Italian population admitted to the Emergency Department. ⋯ Chest CT has a useful role in the early detection and in patient management of COVID-19 pneumonia in a pandemic. It helps in identifying suspected patients, cutting off the route of transmission and avoiding further spread of infection.