Patient-centred imaging

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Swallowing is a complex task, moderated by a sophisticated bilateral network including multiple supratentorial regions, the brainstem and the cerebellum. To date, conflicting data exist about whether focal lesions to the cerebellum are associated with dysphagia. Therefore, the aim of the study was to evaluate dysphagia prevalence, recovery and dysphagia pattern in patients with ischaemic cerebellar stroke. METHODS: A retrospective analysis of patients consecutively admitted to an academic stroke centre with ischaemic stroke found only in the cerebellum was performed...

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study is to audit 7 years of data with a 3 year follow up from a high-volume stone centre performing extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL) to evaluate efficacy in stone clearance compared to existing knowledge and understand reasons for this performance. METHODS: Patients who received ESWL treatment for renal or proximal ureteric stones at a single centre between January 2012 and January 2019 (to allow minimum 3 year follow up) were retrieved...

INTRODUCTION: In the UK it is commonplace for patients completing radiotherapy to be invited to ring a bell as a form of celebration. The project aimed to explore the experiences of the end of treatment bell from the perspective of patients who had received treatment for cancer, and therapeutic radiographers who treat patients. The study also aimed to consider possible alternative methods of commemorating the EoT, considering the needs of patients, family members and healthcare professionals...

BACKGROUND: Non-cirrhotic portal hypertension (NCPH) is a spectrum of liver diseases, including porto-sinusoidal vascular disorder, with portal hypertension (PH) in the absence of cirrhosis. The natural history and diagnostic approach to NCPH are not well understood. AIM: We aimed to evaluate disease progression and outcomes in NCPH. METHODS: Patients with or at risk for NCPH were enrolled in a single centre prospective study; two groups were formed based on the presence of specific features of PH, such as varices, collaterals, portal hypertensive gastropathy or portal hypertensive bleeding...

PURPOSE: To establish a prediction model for repeated shockwave lithotripsy (SWL) efficacy to help choose an appropriate treatment plan for patients with a single failed lithotripsy, reducing their treatment burden. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The clinical records and imaging data of 304 patients who underwent repeat SWL for upper urinary tract calculi (UUTC) at the Urology Centre of Shiyan People's Hospital between April 2019 and April 2023 were retrospectively collected...

INTRODUCTION: The currently accepted best practice radiation treatment for left breast cancer patients is Deep Inspiration Breath Hold (DIBH) where patients hold a deep breath to reduce late cardiac and pulmonary effects from treatment. DIBH can be challenging and induce or exacerbate anxiety in patients due to the perceived pressure to reduce radiation treatment side effects. This study explored the experiences of patients treated with Deep Inspiration Breath Hold Radiation Therapy (DIBH-RT) to improve patient-centred care and inform the design of multimedia educational tools for future patients undergoing DIBH...

Aim The study aims to determine the incidence of malignancy at presentation and subsequent risk of malignancy (at 12 months follow-up) in a cohort of patients with double duct sign (DDS) on cross-sectional imaging but no visible stigmata of jaundice. The study also correlates malignancy with liver enzyme dysfunction and estimates the resource burden incurred during the investigation of these patients. Methods A search for the key term "double duct sign" was undertaken in the radiological database of a tertiary hepatopancreatobiliary (HPB) centre between March 2017 and March 2022...

BACKGROUND: The pathological examination of lymph node metastasis (LNM) is crucial for treating prostate cancer (PCa). However, the limitations with naked-eye detection and pathologist workload contribute to a high missed-diagnosis rate for nodal micrometastasis. We aimed to develop an artificial intelligence (AI)-based, time-efficient, and high-precision PCa LNM detector (ProCaLNMD) and evaluate its clinical application value. METHODS: In this multicentre, retrospective, diagnostic study, consecutive patients with PCa who underwent radical prostatectomy and pelvic lymph node dissection at five centres between Sep 2, 2013 and Apr 28, 2023 were included, and histopathological slides of resected lymph nodes were collected and digitised as whole-slide images for model development and validation...

INTRODUCTION: Neonatal and early-life hypoglycaemia, is a frequent finding but is often non-specific and asymptomatic, making detection and diagnosis challenging. Hypoglycaemia-induced cerebral injury can be identified by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) changes in cerebral white matter, occipital lobes, and posterior parietotemporal regions. It is unknown if children may have hypoglycaemic brain injury secondary to unrecognised hypoglycaemia in early life. We have examined retrospective radiological findings of likely brain injury by neuroimaging to investigate the existence of previous missed hypoglycaemic events...

INTRODUCTION: Patients with squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck (HNSCC) often receive post-operative radiotherapy (RT). A package time between surgery and completion of RT of ≤100 days is associated with lower recurrence and longer survival. In this study, we investigate the impact of outside referral and dental extractions on package time, with secondary detriment to relapse-free survival (RFS) and overall survival (OS). METHODS: We conducted a retrospective chart review on patients with HNSCC who received primary surgical resection at an academic medical centre...

AIMS: The Royal College of Radiologists (RCR) audit of radical radiotherapy (RR) for patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) in 2013 concluded that there was under-treatment compared to international comparators and marked variability between cancer networks. Elderly patients were less likely to receive guideline recommended treatments. Access to technological developments was low. Various national and local interventions have since taken place. This study aims to re-assess national practice...

INTRODUCTION: Diuretic renography is crucial in evaluation of paediatric hydronephrosis. Furosemide is conventionally given 15-20 min after radiolabelled tracer (F+15/F+20 protocol), however this is equivocal in around 15% of patients. Giving furosemide 15 min prior to tracer (F-15 MAG3 protocol) has been suggested as an additional tool in the investigation of patients with suspected upper urinary tract obstruction. However, the role of this method in assessment and management of paediatric hydronephrosis is not widely reported...

BACKGROUND: We present the largest study of the frequency and nature of visual complications in a cohort of 350 patients consecutively diagnosed with giant cell arteritis (GCA). METHODS: All individuals were assessed using structured forms and diagnosed using imaging or biopsy. A binary logistic regression model was used to analyse data for predicting visual loss. RESULTS: Visual symptoms occurred in 101 (28.9%) patients, with visual loss in one or both eyes in 48 (13...

PURPOSE: This American Academy of Ophthalmology Ophthalmic Technology Assessment aims to assess the effectiveness of conventional teleretinal screening (TS) in detecting diabetic retinopathy (DR) and diabetic macular edema (DME). METHODS: A literature search of the PubMed database was conducted most recently in July 2023 to identify data published between 2006 and 2023 on any of the following elements related to TS effectiveness: (1) the accuracy of TS in detecting DR or DME compared with traditional ophthalmic screening with dilated fundus examination or 7-standard field Early Treatment Diabetic Retinopathy Study photography, (2) the impact of TS on DR screening compliance rates or other patient behaviors, and (3) cost-effectiveness and patient satisfaction of TS compared with traditional DR screening...

Occult spinal dysraphisms (OSDs) are caused by various defects in the embryogenesis of the spinal cord and represent an obstacle to the ascent of the conus, which allows the conus to pass from the lower levels of the spinal canal to the final position between L1 and L2 during normal foetal life. When an OSD tethers the spinal cord at the lower levels, it can lead to neurological symptoms, better known as tethered cord syndrome. Surgical treatment of OSD is primarily aimed at untethering the spinal cord. In asymptomatic patients, this can protect against the long-term development of neurological deficits...

Background: Implementing innovations emerging from clinical research can be challenging. Thermal imagers provide an accessible diagnostic tool to increase the accuracy of burn wound depth assessment. This mixed-methods implementation study aimed to assess the barriers and facilitators, design implementation strategies, and guide the implementation process of thermal imaging in the outpatient clinic of a burn centre. Methods: This study was conducted between September 2022 and February 2023 in Beverwijk, The Netherlands...

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the efficacy of the O-RADS MRI criteria in the stratification of risk of malignancy of solid or sonographically indeterminate ovarian masses and assess the interobserver agreement of this classification between experienced and inexperienced radiologists. METHODS: This single-centre retrospective study included patients from 2019 to 2022 with sonographically indeterminate or solid ovarian masses who underwent MRI with a specific protocol for characterisation according to O-RADS MRI specifications...

Image-based criteria have been adopted to diagnose femoroacetabular impingement (FAI). However, the overlapping property of the two-dimensional X-ray outlines and static and supine posture of taking computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging images potentially affect the accuracy of the criteria. This study developed a CT image-based dynamic criterion to effectively simulate FAI, thereby providing a basis for physicians to perform pre-operative planning for arthroscopic surgery. Post-operative CT images of 20 patients with satisfactory surgical results were collected, and 10 sets of models were used to define the flexion rotation centre (FRC) of the three-dimensional FAI model...

BACKGROUND: Increasing patient loads, healthcare inflation and ageing population have put pressure on the healthcare system. Artificial intelligence and machine learning innovations can aid in task shifting to help healthcare systems remain efficient and cost effective. To gain an understanding of patients' acceptance toward such task shifting with the aid of AI, this study adapted the Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology 2 (UTAUT2), looking at performance and effort expectancy, facilitating conditions, social influence, hedonic motivation and behavioural intention...

INTRODUCTION: Poststroke cognitive impairment is a common complication in stroke survivors, seriously affecting their quality of life. Therefore, it is crucial to improve cognitive function of patients who had a stroke. Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) and transcutaneous auricular vagus nerve stimulation (taVNS) are non-invasive, safe treatments with great potential to improve cognitive function in poststroke patients. However, further improvements are needed in the effectiveness of a single non-invasive brain stimulation technique for cognitive rehabilitation...