Modern management of acute pancreatitis

There is a rising incidence of acute pancreatitis in the United States. Numerous clinical prognostic scoring systems have been developed, including the BISAP score. Vigorous fluid resuscitation remains a cornerstone of early management of acute pancreatitis. Cross-sectional imaging in the early phase of evaluation has not been associated with improvement of outcomes. There is no role for prophylactic antibiotics in early management. However, there is growing emphasis on the identification and treatment of extrapancreatic infections. Enteral nutrition in severe acute pancreatitis has reduced mortality, systemic infection, and multiorgan dysfunction compared to parenteral nutrition. Conservative management consisting of percutaneous drainage and delayed surgical intervention is now favored for local complications, such as infected necrosis. These developments have contributed to improved outcomes for patients with acute pancreatitis.     

Acute Renal Failure during Pregnancy Secondary to Spontaneous Perirenal Hematoma

A 32-year-old pregnant female presented with right flank pain, hematuria, and ARF at 25 weeks of gestation. Imaging studies demonstrated right perinephric hematoma, which compressed the inferior vena cava. ARF improved with expectant care as the hematoma gradually resolved.     

Current biomedical waste management practices and cross-infection control procedures of dentists in India

Objectives: To investigate the knowledge, attitudes and behaviour of dentists working in dental clinics and dental hospitals regarding biomedical waste management and cross‐infection control. Methods: A national survey was conducted. Self‐administered questionnaires were sent to 800 dentists across India. Results: A total of 494 dentists responded, giving a response rate of 61.8%. Of these, 228 of 323 (70.6%) general dentists reported using boiling water as a sterilising medium and 339 (68.6%) dentists reported disposing of hazardous waste such as syringes, blades and ampoules in dustbins and emptying these into municipal corporation bins. Conclusions: Dentists should undergo continuing education programmes on biomedical waste management and infection control guidelines. Greater cooperation between dental clinics and hospitals and pollution control boards is needed to ensure the proper handling and disposal of biomedical waste.     

The Incentive Dilemma: Intrinsic Motivation and Workplace Performance

Incentive plans are a core component of many radiology positions and are often considered a major factor in the ability to recruit and retain high-performing radiologists. Financial incentives are widely thought to be effective at motivating individuals, but there is considerable evidence to the contrary. In this report, the authors examine basic assumptions about financial incentives and debate the potential negative impact of financial incentive systems on performance at radiology practices.     

MRI of female urethra and periurethral pathologies

Introduction and hypothesis

Accurate diagnosis of a wide spectrum of urethral/periurethral pathologies in women remains challenging due to its anatomical location and nonspecific clinical presentations. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) has emerged as the modality of choice for diagnosing female urethral and periurethral pathologies due to its multiplanar scanning capability, superior soft tissue differentiation, noninvasive nature, and overall excellent contrast resolution.

Methods

In this narrative review, we describe the use of MRI to visualize the female urethra and periurethral pathologies.

Results

MRI can confidently characterize lesions into cystic or solid, provide a more succinct differential diagnosis, and in some cases provide a specific and accurate diagnosis, enabling surgeons to prepare a roadmap before operative procedure. Moreover, functional MRI can be useful to assess dynamic disorders such as urethral hypermobility.

Conclusions

We provide a comprehensive review of normal MR anatomy of the female urethra, as well as the MR features of practically important urethral and periurethral lesions.