Journal of medical imaging and radiation oncology
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J Med Imaging Radiat Oncol · Apr 2020
Feedback survey on the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Radiologists Faculty of Radiation Oncology trainee research requirement.
The Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Radiologists Faculty of Radiation Oncology (FRO) requires trainees to complete a research project prior to the exit (phase II) examinations. We report results of a survey of current FRO trainees and Fellows graduating since 2013, regarding their experience of the overall requirement, supervision, barriers to project completion and subsequent publication. ⋯ While the majority of respondents perceive the FRO research requirements as reasonable, a significant minority are not satisfied with aspects of the programme. Amendment of the pre-phase II stipulation may be worthy of consideration.
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This paper reports the key findings of the Faculty of Radiation Oncology 2018 workforce census and compares results with previous studies. ⋯ The radiation oncologist numbers have increased significantly, but unemployment remains low. Many parameters remain similar to the 2014 census, but new information has been obtained on special interest areas, leadership positions, gynae-oncology, inpatients, hypofractionation use, remuneration and contouring. Trainee numbers remain stable with an increased percentage satisfied with their career with much less concern about oversupply. Protected time remains an issue with contouring time and teaching emerging as a potential issue.
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J Med Imaging Radiat Oncol · Dec 2019
Radionuclide lung scans for suspected acute pulmonary embolism: Single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) or hybrid SPECT/CT?
Hybrid single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) with CT (SPECT/CT) may improve diagnostic accuracy in suspected acute pulmonary embolism, but further research is needed. We evaluated whether the use of attenuation correction and/or the depiction of lung pathology with hybrid SPECT/CT could significantly reduce potentially false-positive ventilation-perfusion (VQ) SPECT studies or obviate the need for a ventilation study. ⋯ In our study, hybrid VQ SPECT/CT did not reduce the number of potentially false-positive VQ SPECT, nor did the CT obviate the need for a ventilation study. Thus, the routine use of hybrid SPECT/CT for suspected pulmonary embolism is not justified.
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J Med Imaging Radiat Oncol · Oct 2019
Diagnostic performance of 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography in the evaluation of glioma.
Identifying glioma grade through imaging allows clinicians to recommend and accurately direct treatment. We sought to quantify the utility of FDG-PET/CT (18F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography/computed tomography), alone and in combination with MRI, in identifying high-grade regions of glioma. ⋯ The combination of FDG-PET/CT and gadolinium-enhanced MRI demonstrated marked improvement in identifying potential high-grade disease over each modality alone. Increased FDG uptake without gadolinium enhancement rarely occurred and identified high-grade histology in a small number of patients. Due to limited sensitivity and NPV, a negative FDG-PET/CT alone, or in combination with MRI, should not guide a decision for observation where surgery would otherwise be recommended.
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J Med Imaging Radiat Oncol · Oct 2019
Observational StudyDiagnostic yield of computed tomography-guided biopsy and aspiration for vertebral osteomyelitis.
The diagnostic yield of and best approaches for imaging-guided percutaneous biopsy for vertebral osteomyelitis is controversial. Early studies suggest yields of up to 90%; however, recent evidence shows lower yields of 30-40%. We aim to determine yield and predictors of yield in percutaneous CT-guided biopsies in vertebral osteomyelitis. ⋯ Percutaneous CT-guided biopsy has a modest yield for identifying the culprit organism in suspected cases of vertebral osteomyelitis. Elevated CRP and aspiration of fluid collections are associated with improved microbiological yield and should be considered in deciding when and where to biopsy.