Canadian Association of Radiologists Journal-Journal De L Association Canadienne Des Radiologistes最新文献

Introduction: Computed tomography angiography (CTA) plays an important role in assessing patients with suspected lower extremity traumatic vascular injury. However, CTA overutilization has been reported in some centres, and improper use has been linked to increased healthcare costs and prolonged Emergency Department wait times. This study evaluated CTA utilization in a Canadian Level I trauma centre, determined the rate of positive CTA studies requiring intervention, and identified factors that may reduce unnecessary examinations. Methods and Materials: This retrospective study included trauma patients who underwent lower extremity CTA between January 2020 and September 2024. Data regarding patient demographics, mechanism of injury, physical exam and computed tomography findings, ankle-brachial index value, and interventions were collected and evaluated. Statistical analysis included descriptive statistics and chi-square or Fisher's exact tests for categorical associations. Results: Six hundred twelve patients (82% male, median age 32 years) were included. Forty-six percent had a normal physical exam, and CTA was positive in 27% of cases. Eight percent of patients required an intervention, all of whom had at least one hard sign of vascular injury. A statistically significant association was identified between hard signs of a vascular injury and positive CTA findings (P < .001) and major vascular injuries (P < .01). No patients with a normal physical exam and a positive CTA required intervention. Conclusion: Nearly half of the CTA studies were performed on patients with a normal physical exam, none requiring intervention. Our findings suggest that implementing institution-specific appropriate criteria may reduce unnecessary CTA studies.

Objective: Radiology residents must demonstrate competence in breast imaging prior to entering practice. Breast imaging fellowship training programs have attracted fewer trainees, contributing to the ongoing shortage in the field. This survey aimed to evaluate the structure, supports, and barriers to breast imaging training in Canadian residency programs to help guide future curriculum development. Methods: Following ethical approval, a 45-question cross-sectional survey was distributed to all 16 diagnostic radiology program directors of Canadian residency programs via email using the online platform SurveyMonkey between March and May 2024. The questions covered program demographics, breast imaging and procedural experience, integration into multidisciplinary care, the impact of other learners, scheduling, and departmental leadership. Results/Discussion: Twelve (75%) program directors across 7 provinces responded. Responses revealed variability in program structures and resources. All programs provided the suggested 4 months of breast imaging training. Exposure to interpreting screening mammography was offered by 75% (9/12) of programs, however, 75% (9/12) of programs did not involve residents in multidisciplinary rounds, limiting collaborative care training. Simulation sessions for breast imaging procedures were offered in 33% (4/12) of programs. Assessment methods across programs lacked uniformity, with only 17% (2/12) of programs using post-rotation tests, and all relying on subjective evaluations. Conclusion: This study highlights the need to address disparities and enhance standardization to improve residents' breast imaging education. Establishing clear guidelines for integration of multimodality breast imaging exposure, increasing procedural training, and providing opportunities to participate in multidisciplinary care conferences are essential for developing a more uniform and comprehensive breast imaging curriculum nationally.

Dual-energy computed tomography has become a pivotal tool in abdominal imaging, particularly for pancreatic pathologies such as pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma, trauma assessment, and acute pancreatitis. Its ability to provide enhanced contrast resolution, reduce artifacts, and optimize radiation dose makes it invaluable in both acute and non-acute clinical settings. This narrative review summarizes the technological advancements and clinical applications of dual-energy computed tomography in pancreatic imaging. A comprehensive review of 21 peer-reviewed studies published between 2013 and 2024 was conducted to evaluate the role of dual-energy computed tomography in all pancreatic imaging indications, including tumor detection, pancreatitis assessment, trauma evaluation, and radiation dose optimization. The analysis included retrospective and prospective studies retrieved from multiple databases, including PubMed, Scopus, and Google Scholar. The findings highlight the technology's capacity to improve diagnostic accuracy, reduce image artifacts, and lower radiation exposure through techniques such as virtual monoenergetic imaging and iodine quantification. Comparisons with conventional computed tomography focused on diagnostic performance metrics such as contrast-to-noise ratio, and signal-to-noise ratio. Additionally, this narrative review underscores the clinical relevance of dual-energy computed tomography in evaluating non-traumatic acute abdominal conditions, especially among elderly patients.

Purpose: Accurate vessel measurement is essential in endovascular thrombectomy (EVT) for acute ischemic stroke. Discrepancies between computed tomography angiography (CTA) and digital subtraction angiography (DSA) may impact procedural planning and device selection. This study compares vessel diameter measurements from CTA and DSA in patients with middle cerebral artery (MCA) M1 occlusions.

Methods: In this single-center retrospective study, 90 consecutive patients who underwent EVT for MCA M1 occlusions between February 2020 and March 2024 were included. Vessel diameters were independently measured by 3 neuroradiologists using CTA and DSA (pre- and post-intervention). Statistical analysis included Wilcoxon signed-rank tests, intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC), and Bland-Altman analysis.

Results: CTA consistently overestimated vessel diameter compared to DSA. The mean M1 diameter was 2.29 ± 0.27 mm on CTA and 2.16 ± 0.30 mm on pre-EVT DSA (P < .001), with a median difference of 0.4 mm (IQR: 0.2-0.6 mm). In 70% of cases, CTA values exceeded DSA. Bland-Altman analysis confirmed a mean difference of +0.13 mm (limits of agreement: -0.25 to +0.51 mm). No significant change was observed between pre- and post-EVT DSA measurements (P = .103). Clot-side M1 segments were significantly smaller than contralateral measurements on CTA (P = .003). Inter-rater agreement was good (ICC = .785).

Conclusions: CTA overestimates MCA M1 diameter relative to DSA. While the discrepancy is modest, it may influence device selection in borderline cases. Awareness of this variability is important, and further research is warranted to explore its clinical implications.

Theranostic represents a transformative approach in precision medicine, integrating diagnostic imaging with targeted radiopharmaceutical therapy to enhance individualized disease management. Rooted in nuclear medicine, this approach uses molecular targeting agents labelled with diagnostic radioisotopes for imaging and therapeutic radioisotopes for treatment, ensuring a seamless transition from diagnosis to therapy. The field has evolved significantly in the last decade, with prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA)-targeted radioligand therapy transforming prostate cancer patient management and somatostatin receptor (SSTR)-targeted agents revolutionizing neuroendocrine tumour (NET) treatment. Considering its interdisciplinary nature, collaboration between nuclear medicine specialists, oncologists, radiologists, and other healthcare professionals is critical to refining clinical applications and improving patient outcomes. As prominent members of the theranostic team, radiologists play a pivotal role, from patient selection and imaging-based eligibility assessment to response evaluation and long-term monitoring. In this regard, advanced imaging modalities facilitate the precise evaluation of disease characteristics, guiding treatment decisions. Hence, as theranostics becomes increasingly integrated into patient management, radiologists face the need to be well-versed in both the technical aspects and clinical implications. In this review, we aimed to provide a primer for radiologists to gain a general insight into the theranostic field and its basic principles.