增强CT检查中碘对比剂外渗的预防护理

通过对增强CT扫描中碘对比剂外渗的原因进行分析,综述碘对比剂外渗的预 防措施,以期减少对比剂外渗的危害后果,积极预防碘对比剂外渗的问题发生,提高检查成功率和患者满意度。     

Dual-Energy CT of the Abdomen and Pelvis: Radiation Dose Considerations

Dual-energy CT offers several new applications and opportunities for routine clinical practice. Increasing utilization in the context of both routine practice and clinical research raises questions about expected radiation dose when compared with conventional single-energy exams. Despite initial concerns, advanced iterative reconstruction techniques and creation of virtual unenhanced images in multiphase acquisitions offer methods for dose reduction. Although dose varies across patients and scanners, modern dual-energy exams allow for comparable and potentially decreased radiation dose when compared with single-energy CT. In this review, we examine dual-energy radiation dose considerations with discussion of accepted ACR diagnostic reference levels.     

Impact of Delayed Time to Advanced Imaging on Missed Appointments Across Different Demographic and Socioeconomic Factors

PurposeThe aim of this study was to investigate the impact of wait days (WDs) on missed outpatient MRI appointments across different demographic and socioeconomic factors.MethodsAn institutional review board–approved retrospective study was conducted among adult patients scheduled for outpatient MRI during a 12-month period. Scheduling data and demographic information were obtained. Imaging missed appointments were defined as missed scheduled imaging encounters. WDs were defined as the number of days from study order to appointment. Multivariate logistic regression was applied to assess the contribution of race and socioeconomic factors to missed appointments. Linear regression was performed to assess the relationship between missed appointment rates and WDs stratified by race, income, and patient insurance groups with analysis of covariance statistics.ResultsA total of 42,727 patients met the inclusion criteria. Mean WDs were 7.95 days. Multivariate regression showed increased odds ratio for missed appointments for patients with increased WDs (7-21 days: odds ratio [OR], 1.39; >21 days: OR, 1.77), African American patients (OR, 1.71), Hispanic patients (OR, 1.30), patients with noncommercial insurance (OR, 2.00-2.55), and those with imaging performed at the main hospital campus (OR, 1.51). Missed appointment rate linearly increased with WDs, with analysis of covariance revealing underrepresented minorities and Medicaid insurance as significant effect modifiers.ConclusionsIncreased WDs for advanced imaging significantly increases the likelihood of missed appointments. This effect is most pronounced among underrepresented minorities and patients with lower socioeconomic status. Efforts to reduce WDs may improve equity in access to and utilization of advanced diagnostic imaging for all patients.     

Prediction of the Risk of Malignancy Among Detected Lung Nodules in the National Lung Screening Trial

ObjectivesThis study aimed to investigate nodule features and patient-specific characteristics associated with improvement in predictive ability of lung cancer screening while maintaining the sensitivity of low-dose CT intact.MethodsAll authors were approved to use data from the National Lung Screening Trial, a previously conducted randomized clinical trial, through submission of a proposal to the Cancer Data Access System. The National Lung Screening Trial had a multilevel design with nodules nested within rounds and rounds nested within individuals; hence, to incorporate nodule-level features, multilevel logistic regression was used. Both nodule-level features and patient characteristics were included for model construction. Model construction was based on improvement in predictive ability of the model, and there were no restrictions to any significance level on variable inclusion.ResultsA total of 32,746 nodules for 9,728 patients were included in the analysis. With a sensitivity value equal to that of the National Lung Screening Trial (93.6%), positive predictive value was improved to 7.94%, which was more than twice that of the National Lung Screening Trial (3.6%). Area under receiver operating characteristic curve was 91.7% (95% confidence interval: 90.6-92.8).ConclusionsIncrement in positive predictive value of lung cancer screening with sensitivity same as National Lung Screening Trial is feasible, and inclusion of other nodule size dimensions plus longest diameter to the model significantly improves the predictive ability of models.