AJR. American journal of roentgenology
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AJR Am J Roentgenol · Dec 2020
Meta AnalysisSystematic Review and Meta-Analysis on the Value of Chest CT in the Diagnosis of Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19): Sol Scientiae, Illustra Nos.
OBJECTIVE. The purpose of this article is to systematically review and meta-analyze the diagnostic accuracy of chest CT in detecting coronavirus disease (COVID-19). MATERIALS AND METHODS. ⋯ Chest CT appears to have a relatively high sensitivity in symptomatic patients at high risk of COVID-19, but it cannot exclude COVID-19. Specificity is poor. These data, along with other local factors such as COVID-19 prevalence, available real-time reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction tests, staff, hospital, and CT scanning capacity, can be useful to healthcare professionals and policy makers to decide on the utility of chest CT for COVID-19 detection in the hospital setting.
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AJR Am J Roentgenol · Dec 2020
Rapid Deployment of Home PACS Workstations to Enable Social Distancing in the Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) Era.
OBJECTIVE. Social distancing is considered an effective mitigation strategy for coronavirus disease (COVID-19), and remote interpretation of radiologic studies is one approach to social distancing within the radiology department. ⋯ CONCLUSION. Transitioning from on-site interpretation to remote interpretation requires a careful balancing of hospital and departmental finances, engineering choices, and educational and philosophical workflow issues.
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AJR Am J Roentgenol · Dec 2020
Comparative StudySplit-Bolus, Single-Acquisition, Dual-Phase Abdominopelvic CT Angiography for the Evaluation of Lung Transplant Candidates: Image Quality and Resource Utilization.
OBJECTIVE. The purpose of this study was to assess the image quality and resource utilization of single-injection, split-bolus, dual-enhancement abdominopelvic CT angiography (hereafter referred to as dual-enhancement CTA) performed for combined vascular and solid organ assessment compared with those of single-injection, single-enhancement abdominopelvic CT angiography (hereafter referred to as single-enhancement CTA) for vascular assessment in combination with additional examinations (CT, MRI, and US) performed to assess for malignancy in lung transplant candidates. MATERIALS AND METHODS. ⋯ Cohort B underwent 44 additional imaging studies (mean effective dose, 12.7 ± 6.5 mSv) at a total cost of $12,846 per patient (resulting in a 30.6% reduction in cost for dual-enhancement CTA studies; p < 0.0001). CONCLUSION. Dual-enhancement abdominopelvic CTA allows combined vascular and abdominopelvic solid organ assessment with improved image quality and a lower cost compared with traditional imaging pathways.
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AJR Am J Roentgenol · Dec 2020
Response to the COVID-19 Pandemic: Practical Guide to Rapidly Deploying Home Workstations to Guarantee Radiology Services During Quarantine, Social Distancing, and Stay Home Orders.
OBJECTIVE. The purpose of this article is to share an experience in the rapid deployment of home workstations that illustrates a creative solution that transcended typical administrative barriers. CONCLUSION. In response to the global coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic, radiology departments need to rapidly deploy home PACS workstations to facilitate physical distancing and to guarantee radiologic expertise despite possible home quarantining or stay home, work safe orders.
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OBJECTIVE. Recurrent inflammation of the appendiceal stump after appendectomy is rare; published case series have included no more than six patients. The purpose of this study was to report the clinical and CT findings in a larger original series. ⋯ CONCLUSION. Stump appendicitis has a characteristic CT appearance and may occur within the first year after appendectomy or many years later. A long (≥ 2 cm) appendiceal stump from laparoscopic appendectomy and retained appendicolith may predispose adult patients to recurrent obstruction and inflammation.