Accreditation: The hallmark of educational quality

CONTEXT: Although accreditation issues have received attention over time, an accurate examination of accreditation has been absent within the radiologic science literature. OBJECTIVE: Using a literature review format, this review will define accreditation, provide a historical review of accreditation and purposes, identify the types of accreditation, discuss the major issues related to accreditation and explain how accreditation has affected the radiologic sciences. RESULTS: Although there is a great deal of rhetoric about accreditation in the radiologic sciences, research to support a particular type of accreditation within the radiologic sciences is absent. SUMMARY: Accreditation programs continuously are reviewed and changed, and accreditation organizations constantly strive to improve quality. In the past, the radiologic sciences have been influenced by accreditation decisions. The potential for future accreditation decisions affecting the radiologic sciences profession is possible.     

Soft tissue tumors of the lower extremities

MRI is the preferred modality for th eevaluation of a soft tissue mass following radiography. The radiologic appearance of certain soft tissue tumors or tumor-like processes may be sufficiently unique to allow a strong presumptive radiologic diagnosis. It must be emphasized that one cannot differentiate reliably between benign and malignant lesions on radiologic imaging alone. When a specific diagnosis is not possible, knowledge of tumor prevalence by location and age, with appropriate clinical history and radiologic features, can be used to establish a suitably ordered differential diagnosis.     

Radiologic findings of diseases involving the maxilla and mandible.

The purpose of this pictorial essay is to illustrate the radiologic appearances of diseases involving the maxilla and mandible. The high prevalence of dental disease results in inflammatory, infectious, and reactive processes that must be distinguished from more serious conditions with similar radiologic features. Because of their association with odontogenic tissues, lesions of the maxilla and mandible may have radiologic findings not seen in other bones. Furthermore, nonodontogenic cysts and tumors that occur elsewhere in the skeleton may exhibit unique radiologic characteristics when associated with teeth. This pictorial essay presents the radiologic characteristics of inflammatory lesions, developmental abnormalities, fibroosseous lesions, benign cysts and tumors, and malignant lesions of the maxilla and mandible.     

The patient-care gap

Although adequate attention is paid to technical principles and equipment in the radiologic technology classroom and supporting literature, little if any is devoted to the patient. The humanity of the patient and his primacy in the profession demand that in radiologic technology education and practice he be given the consideration he should and must have whenever he is in the hands of radiologic technology personnel.     

Efficient radiologic reading environment by using an open-source macro program as connection software

Purpose

The objectives are (1) to introduce an easy open-source macro program as connection software and (2) to illustrate the practical usages in radiologic reading environment by simulating the radiologic reading process.

Materials and methods

The simulation is a set of radiologic reading process to do a practical task in the radiologic reading room. The principal processes are: (1) to view radiologic images on the Picture Archiving and Communicating System (PACS), (2) to connect the HIS/EMR (Hospital Information System/Electronic Medical Record) system, (3) to make an automatic radiologic reporting system, and (4) to record and recall information of interesting cases. This simulation environment was designed by using open-source macro program as connection software.

Results

The simulation performed well on the Window-based PACS workstation. Radiologists practiced the steps of the simulation comfortably by utilizing the macro-powered radiologic environment. This macro program could automate several manual cumbersome steps in the radiologic reading process. This program successfully acts as connection software for the PACS software, EMR/HIS, spreadsheet, and other various input devices in the radiologic reading environment.

Conclusion

A user-friendly efficient radiologic reading environment could be established by utilizing open-source macro program as connection software.     

The number of Japanese radiologic technologists will be increased in 40 years

It is essential to predict the long-term supply and demand for the number of radiologic technologists as medical resources. However, it is difficult to predict the number of Japanese radiologic technologists due to complex and intertwining factors. Our purpose in this study was to predict the future number of radiologic technologists using the concept of system dynamics (SD), and to clarify the effects of relevant factors. In order to estimate the number of Japanese radiologic technologists, we constructed a flow diagram using the concept of SD. We simulated the number of radiologic technologists for the following 4 cases: maintaining the status quo, a change in the pass rate for the national examination, a change in the post-graduate employment rate, and a change in the rate of continuing education. The result for the predicted number of radiologic technologists was 50,509 in 20 years, which is 4,394 (9.5 %) more than the present number, and 50,166 in 40 years, which is 4,051 (8.8 %) more than the present number. For the factors influencing the number of technologists, the influence of the pass rate on the national examination and that of the rate for post-graduate employment was larger than that of the rate of continuing education in graduate school. The number of Japanese radiologic technologists will increase until 2033 and decrease until 2042, and it does not change after 2042 in case of maintaining the status quo. Implementing the concept of SD allowed us easily to clarify the factors influencing the predicted number of radiologic technologists.     

Radiology and fine art

OBJECTIVE: The radiologic aesthetics of some body parts and internal organs have inspired certain artists to create specific works of art. Our aim was to describe the link between radiology and fine art. We explored 13,625 artworks in the literature produced by 2049 artists and found several thousand photographs in an online image search. The examination revealed 271 radiologic artworks (1.99%) created by 59 artists (2.88%) who mainly applied radiography, sonography, CT, and MRI. CONCLUSION: Some authors produced radiologic artistic photographs, and others used radiologic images to create artful compositions, specific sculptures, or digital works. Many radiologic artworks have symbolic, metaphoric, or conceptual connotations. Radiology is clearly becoming an original and important field of modern art.     

Pyknodysostosis. Classical and unusual aspects. Apropos of 7 cases

Seven cases of pyknodysostosis presenting typical clinical and radiologic features were seen between 1972 and 1982. All patients showed clinical and radiologic evidence of reputedly accessory signs. Certain atypical radiologic findings during pyknodysostosis are emphasized, and modifications in the radiologic profile in 2 patients followed up for 10 years analyzed.     

Computed tomography of the nasopharynx and neck

Computed tomography (CT) is unparalleled for evaluation of the nasopharynx and the neck in comparison with other radiologic modalities. Its ability to demonstrate soft tissue and bone abnormalities has established its role as a primary method of radiologic diagnosis, frequently obviating the need for further radiologic elaboration. Furthermore, in many cases, CT provides distinction among inflammatory, neoplastic, and traumatic conditions.     

Jerman Memorial Lecture. Scanning a new image: proposal for professional standards

An analysis of trends in radiologic technology in other countries of the world is compared with current standards of education and socioeconomic practices in America. From this background, radiologic technologists are challenged to reassess their position in American health care and forge new directions to make radiologic technology an independent, self-governing profession and an equal partner in the health-care team.     

Radiologic aspects of BCG-osteomyelitis in infants and children.

An account is given of results of the radiologic examination of 29 infants and children with bone tuberculosis caused by the Bacilli Calmette-Guérin (BCG) as a complication to intradermal vaccination. The diagnosis is based on radiologic appearances, microscopy and bacteriologic examination of specimens obtained from the bone lesions. The radiologic appearance of the bone lesions is in most cases characteristic and differs decisively from that of pyogenic osteomyelitis and malignant disease.     

Improving clinical instruction: comparison of literature

CONTEXT: Clinical education in radiologic technology and athletic training is similar in that both programs use clinical sites and clinical instructors to instruct and evaluate student competency. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this paper is to review and compare the literature from radiologic technology and athletic training clinical education. METHODS: The literature for this review was obtained using ProQuest and PubMed databases, from the years 1998 to 2006. Research is available for both radiologic technology and athletic training and provides a good comparison. RESULTS: Radiologic technology students experience various clinical stressors that can be remedied by properly trained clinical instructors and instructors who spend quality time with students. The opinions regarding the necessary behaviors of clinical instructors vary between program directors, clinical instructors and students. CONCLUSION: Cooperation and communication between programs and clinical instructors is important for students to achieve clinical success. A comparison of the literature demonstrates that radiologic technology and athletic training programs are similar; thus, ideas from athletic training can be applied to radiologic technology clinical education.     

Developing an advanced radiographer curriculum at the baccalaureate level

Curriculum design for the baccalaureate degree in radiologic technology has been the subject of discussion for many years. Several investigators have identified the need for such a curriculum in radiologic technology; however, a definitive official statement has yet to surface concerning the purpose of the degree. A conceptual model for the baccalaureate curriculum in radiologic technology is presented as well as the process used to develop such a curriculum.     

Effect of on-site facilities on use of diagnostic radiology by non-radiologists

This study uses self-reports from a nationwide sample of 5447 physicians in ten medical and surgical specialties to assess the impact of on-site facilities on the use of radiologic examinations by non-radiologists. Data from 169,559 patient visits show that when on-site radiologic facilities are available to non-radiologists, radiographs increase by a factor of 1.2 (internal medicine) to 1.7 (pediatrics). Use of radiologic examinations is up to four times greater for hospitalized compared with nonhospitalized patients and is slightly higher for hospital-based physicians and for younger physicians.     

Double-contrast gastrography and gastroscopy in the diagnosis of gastric polyps. Personal experience

Gastric polyps are benign tumors which have been less uncommonly detected in recent years, due to the refinement of both radiologic and endoscopic investigations. From 1981 through 1985 gastric polyps were detected in 102 patients (1.9%) out of 5368 radiologic examinations. In the same period, 98 cases (3.3%) were detected out of 2942 endoscopic examinations. The comparison of data in these two series shows a superimposition. Despite an increased percentage of endoscopic findings (to some extent due to previous radiologic reports), the authors assert the diagnostic efficacy of double contrast radiologic investigation as a first approach to benign polypous lesions of the stomach. As far as histology is concerned, a clear prevalence is shown of hyperplastic versus adenomatous polyps (90 and 8 cases respectively).     

Interstitial Lung Abnormalities: What Radiologists Should Know

Interstitial lung abnormalities (ILAs) are radiologic abnormalities found incidentally on chest CT that are potentially related to interstitial lung diseases. Several articles have reported that ILAs are associated with increased mortality, and they can show radiologic progression. With the increased recognition of ILAs on CT, the role of radiologists in reporting them is critical. This review aims to discuss the clinical significance and radiologic characteristics of ILAs to facilitate and enhance their management.     

胃血管瘤X线诊断(2例报告并文献复习)

本文报告2例极为少见的胃海绵状血管瘤,1例孤立单发,1例较弥漫广泛。描述了其临床、手术病理所见及X 线表现。结合本文献讨论了诊断标准及鉴别诊断问题。     

Certification and licensure of radiologic technologists: Part I

This article focuses on the vast inconsistencies in radiologic technology credentialing within the United States. There is no Federal statute requiring licensure of medical radiologic technologists. Historically, professional self-monitoring certifying agencies have provided the voluntary competency requirements that are used in some states. However, among these agencies varying standards prevail. Even though the majority of states do not license radiologic technologists, there are efforts underway to introduce licensure within the field.     

Ectopic thyroid in the adrenal gland: Computed tomography findings

Ectopic thyroid in the adrenal gland is extremely rare, and its radiologic findings have not been reported in the radiologic literature. A case of ectopic thyroid in the adrenal gland is reported, and its imaging findings on computed tomography are discussed.     

Review of the role of abdominal imaging in irritable bowel syndrome

The role of radiologic imaging in the investigation of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) remains a subject of debate and there is some evidence, from recent studies of utilization of imaging in IBS, which focused on associated costs and radiation exposure, that imaging is being used relatively widely in these patients. This review aims to assess current best evidence to accurately define the role of radiologic imaging in IBS patients. Primary and secondary literature searches were performed. Evidence suggests that the lack of “red flag” or alarm features in IBS patients should reassure the clinician that the diagnosis of IBS is correct and United States and United Kingdom guidelines recommend no radiologic imaging for IBS patients if alarm features are not present. In patients presenting with IBS symptoms and alarm features, radiologic testing may be used to exclude an alternative diagnosis and the imaging modality should be chosen based on the most likely alternative diagnosis.