Diagnostic reasoning

INTRODUCTION: The aim of this study was to determine whether there had been a progression or regression in the numbers and scope of practice of reporting radiographers in Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) in the United Kingdom (UK), using data from a previous study conducted by the author in 2019/20 as a comparison. METHODS: Data was gathered via a survey sent to multiple users and groups of MRI Radiographers in the UK. The survey consisted of a questionnaire, using both numerical and free text answers to enable the responders to elaborate on their scope of practice whilst also allowing numerical data to be easily analysed...

Video games are a valuable tool for studying the effects of training and neural plasticity on the brain. However, the underlying mechanisms related to plasticity-associated brain structural changes and their impact on brain dynamics are unknown. Here, we used a semi-empirical whole-brain model to study structural neural plasticity mechanisms linked to video game expertise. We hypothesized that video game expertise is associated with neural plasticity-mediated changes in structural connectivity that manifest at the meso‑scale level, resulting in a more segregated functional network topology...

BACKGROUND: Existing handover communication tools often lack a clear theoretical foundation, have limited psychometric evidence, and overlook effective communication strategies for enhancing diagnostic reasoning. This oversight becomes critical as communication breakdowns during handovers have been implicated in poor patient care. To address these issues, we developed a structured communication tool: Background, Responsible diagnosis, Included differential diagnosis, Excluded differential diagnosis, Follow-up, and Communication (BRIEF-C)...

OBJECTIVE: It has been shown that optical coherence tomography (OCT) can identify brain tumor tissue and potentially be used for intraoperative margin diagnostics. However, there is limited evidence on its use in human in vivo settings, particularly in terms of its applicability and accuracy of residual brain tumor detection (RTD). For this reason, a microscope-integrated OCT system was examined to determine in vivo feasibility of RTD after resection with automated scan analysis. METHODS: Healthy and diseased brain was 3D scanned at the resection edge in 18 brain tumor patients and investigated for its informative value in regard to intraoperative tissue classification...

INTRODUCTION: Incidental gallbladder carcinoma refers to a discovery of gallbladder cancer during or after cholecystectomy. Late port-site metastasis (PSM) following Laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) is rare with an incidence rate of 10.3%. PATIENT CONCERNS: We report a case of a 58-year-old man who presented with a painful abdominal wall mass for 6 weeks. He had a history of LC for symptomatic cholelithiasis, 8 years prior. DIAGNOSIS: Histopathological examination revealed a positive result for metastatic adenocarcinoma from the abdominal wall mass...

Dental caries remains one of the main reasons patients seeing their dentist. They either show up for preventive measures, diagnostics, or treatment of present caries lesions. To date, diagnostics are performed visually, supported by using bitewing radiographs. While radiographic diagnostics should only be performed on a biannual basis, and some caries process will not be seen with visual diagnostics, there remains a lack in regular checkups. Therefore, different technical applications can be used for regular diagnostics...

BACKGROUND: Vascular pathologies of the head and neck are rare but can present as musculoskeletal problems. The International Federation of Orthopedic Manipulative Physical Therapists (IFOMPT) Cervical Framework (Framework) aims to assist evidence-based clinical reasoning for safe assessment and management of the cervical spine considering potential for vascular pathology. Clinical reasoning is critical to physiotherapy, and developing high-level clinical reasoning is a priority for postgraduate (post-licensure) educational programs...

This study aims to establish a rapid diagnostic method for Streptococcus agalactiae (GBS) based on recombinase polymerase amplification (RPA) and lateral flow strips (LFS). The best primer pairs designed by SIP gene were screened according to the basic RPA reaction, then the probe was designed. The reaction condition was optimized based on the color development of the LFS detection line. To ascertain the reaction specificity, 10 common clinical pathogens and 10 clinical specimens of GBS were tested. Furthermore, the reaction sensitivity was assessed by utilizing a tenfold gradient dilution of GBS genomic DNA as templates...

INTRODUCTION: General practitioners (GPs) are mostly the first point of contact for patients with health problems in Germany. There is only a limited epidemiological overview data that describe the GP consultation hours based on other than billing data. Therefore, the aim of Saxon Epidemiological Study in General Practice-6 (SESAM-6) is to examine the frequency of reasons for encounter, prevalence of long-term diagnosed diseases and diagnostic and therapeutic decisions in general practice...

AIM: The treadmill walking test with post-exercise pressure measurement can be used as a diagnostic test and could classify peripheral arterial disease of the lower limbs. It can also exclude the diagnosis allowing to raise the possibility of differential diagnoses. In this study, we assessed the feasibility of performing treadmill test by advanced practice nurse to assess suspected lower extremity peripheral artery disease patients. DESIGN AND METHOD: This is a longitudinal monocentric study to assess the feasibility of a treadmill walking test performed by an advanced practice nurse...

Placentitis is an important cause of reproductive losses in the equine industry. Many cases of clinical placentitis are not diagnosed until late in the course of the disease, and for this reason there is variability in the timing of intervention, diagnostic measurements, and treatment protocols. An 8-year-old multiparous Dutch Warmblood mare that was recently exposed to EHV-1 in the herd of origin presented for routine foaling management. Placentitis was diagnosed upon intake, and medical treatment was initiated...

INTRODUCTION: Placenta accreta spectrum (PAS) can lead to major peripartum morbidity. Appropriate management approaches depend on the clinical severity, each individual's preference, and the treating team's expertise. Peripartum hysterectomy is the most frequently used treatment option. However, it can impact psychological well-being and fertility. We investigated whether conservative treatment with focal resection or leaving the placenta in situ is associated with comparable or lower maternal morbidity than hysterectomy in centers of excellence within the International Society for placenta accreta spectrum (IS-PAS)...

An absolute erythrocytosis is present when the red cell mass is greater than 125% of the predicted. This is suspected when the hemoglobin or hematocrit is above the normal range. An erythrocytosis can be classified as primary or secondary and congenital or acquired. The commonest primary acquired disorder is polycythemia vera. The diagnostic criteria for PV have evolved over time and this is the main diagnosis managed in hematology clinics. There are a variety of rare congenital causes both primary and secondary...

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Most countries in sub-Saharan Africa need to catch up in integrating information and communication technologies (ICT) into their health systems. This is mainly because of the need for more infrastructure that allows for reasonable use of the technologies. To support the actions of the Ministry of Health of Burkina Faso, a Non-governmental Organization (NGO) has implemented the integrated electronic diagnostic approach (IeDA) Project. The project includes the deployment of an electronic consultation register (ECR)...

INTRODUCTION/BACKGROUND: There has been a marked survival improvement for patients with non-small-cell lung cancer. We describe the national trends in characteristics and survival, and geographical differences in diagnostic workup, treatment, and survival for patients with small-cell lung cancer (SCLC). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Patients registered with SCLC at the Cancer Registry of Norway in 2002 to 2022 were included. Trends in overall survival were estimated for all SCLC patients, patients with limited stage SCLC, patients undergoing surgery, and by health region...

Dizziness is a prevalent symptom in the general population and is among the most common reasons patients present for medical evaluations. This article focuses on high yield information to support primary clinicians in the efficient and effective evaluation and management of dizziness. Key points are as follows: do not anchor on the type of dizziness symptom, do use symptom timing and prior medical history to inform diagnostics probabilities, do evaluate for hallmark examination findings of vestibular disorders, and seek out opportunities to deliver evidence-based interventions particularly the canalith repositioning maneuver and gaze stabilization exercises...

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: The rapid urease test (RUT) is widely used to detect Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection; however, it is not preferred as a monitoring strategy following eradication owing to its low sensitivity. In this study, we evaluated the diagnostic performance of RUT using the sweeping method, which overcomes the limitations of conventional tissue sampling methods following eradication. METHODS: Patients who received H. pylori eradication treatment were enrolled...

Still life paintings comprise a wealth of data on visual perception. Prior work has shown that the color statistics of objects show a marked bias for warm colors. Here, we ask about the relative chromatic contrast of these object-associated colors compared with background colors in still life paintings. We reasoned that, owing to the memory color effect, where the color of familiar objects is perceived more saturated, warm colors will be relatively more saturated than cool colors in still life paintings as compared with photographs...

BACKGROUND: In patients with extrathoracic malignancies (ETM), granulomatous lymph adenopathy called sarcoid-like reactions (SLR) can be seen in the regional or draining lymph nodes. We hypothesized that SLR may be a sign of imminent metastasis and investigated the clinical course and rate of recurrence in patients with ETM and granulomatous mediastinal lymphadenopathy (MLN). METHODS: In this retrospective observational study, we reviewed the medical files of patients with known ETM and who underwent EBUS-TBNA for initial staging or detection of recurrence from 2011 to 2023...

BACKGROUND: Studies have revealed that learners begin to make their career choices at a reasonably early stage of their lives. Career guidance in South Africa was made part of the curriculum in schools to introduce learners to different careers and guide them in their career choices. Due to historical disparities, this has not been adequately implemented in all schools. As a result of this, some learners often make uninformed career choices. The aim of this study was to determine if students who enrolled in a radiography undergraduate program at Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University (SMU) had prior knowledge about the radiography profession through career education and guidance at school level...