Objective: To determine the inter-observer variation of ASPECTS among radiologists in the Philippine General Hospital (PGH), particularly between trainee radiologists and an expert reader.

Methods: Thirty (30) cranial CT scan studies of clinically-diagnosed, non-hemorrhagic stroke patients were analyzed by 9 trainee radiologists (3 fellows, and 3 senior and 3 junior residents) and one expert reader. Data analysis involved determining the levels of agreement within and across groups, and against the expert reader.

Results and Conclusion: There was moderate agreement (kappa = 0.60) between the junior residents and the expert reader, and substantial agreement between the senior residents and the expert reader (kappa = 0.70), as well as between the fellows and the expert reader (kappa = 0.63). Over-all, there was a substantial agreement between the trainee radiologists and the expert reader (kappa = 0.63). It can be concluded that the interpretation of trainee radiologists in PGH, particularly that of a senior resident or a fellow, is comparable with that of an expert reader, and can, thus, be useful in cases where an interpretation of a CT scan procedure in a clinically-diagnosed stroke patient is needed.

With the widespread dissemination of picture archiving and communication systems (PACSs) in hospitals, the amount of imaging data is rapidly increasing. Effective image retrieval systems are required to manage these complex and large image databases. The authors reviewed the past development and the present state of medical image retrieval systems including text-based and content-based systems. In order to provide a more effective image retrieval service, the intelligent content-based retrieval systems combined with semantic systems are required.
Radiology Information Systems ; Semantics

Humans ; Philosophy ; Radiology ; methods

Purpose: The study seeks to examine if radiology reports at the University of Santo Tomas Hospital (USTH) meet referring physicians’ preferences pertaining to the following parameters of a well-composed radiology report: Importance, Clinical correlation, Referrer’s satisfaction, Content, Structure and Style. It also aims to compare outcomes from this region with its European (EURO) counterpart to highlight possible regional differences in preferences Methods and Materials: A 41-item survey was distributed among consultants and fellows at USTH. Respondents graded their level of agreement using a Likert scale. A free text area was for comments, opinions, and/or suggestions on improving the radiology report. Reponses were collated, statistically analyzed, and compared with those of the EURO study. The study was approved by the hospital’s Review Board and voluntary consent was obtained for each participant. Results : A total of 283 clinicians participated in the study with a good response rate. The majority of the statements showed similar results between this Southeast Asian study and the EURO study. The highlights of the study based on the different criteria are as follows: On Importance: The radiology report is a valued tool in the management of patients in everyday practice; On Clinical Correlation: Clinicians would rather radiologists know about the patients’ medical condition except for a few who think otherwise, due to the possibility of bias in the report; On Referrer’s Satisfaction: Clinicians are satisfi ed with the reports they receive although the use of common words is more appreciated; On content: Clinicians read the descriptive part of the report and they would like to receive an impression of the pathology at the end; On Structure and Style: The use of simpler style and vocabulary in making radiology reports should be considered for better understanding and also to include explicit technical details of the examination; Open communication with clinicians, faster release of results and specialty-based interpretation of images were also some of the suggestions in this study. Clinicians from both studies also advocate the incorporation of making a radiology report a part of the radiology training. Conclusion The radiology reports generated from USTH were able to meet referring physicians’ preferences, providing substantial information that is valued as an essential part of patient management. Outcomes from this study showed the majority of the fi ndings to be similar with its European (EURO) counterpart.
Surveys and Questionnaires ; Radiology

Objective: This study aimed to develop a patient-safety checklist for use during fluoroscopic- or image-guided minimally-invasive procedures in the Department of Radiology, Philippine General Hospital. Methodology: A comparison of the Radiological Patient Safety System (RADPASS) and the Cardiovascular and Interventional Society of Europe (CIRSE) checklists was done. Together with the knowledge of the workflow and through observation of the different procedures in the department, a checklist was developed to suit the appropriate hospital setting. This developed checklist was tested in several procedures, and was evaluated and modified during trial testing. Result: A patient safety checklist for minimally-invasive and fluoroscopic procedures in the Department of Radiology, Philippine General Hospital was developed through the analysis of the workflow of the department, and observation during the data gathering and trial testing phases. Conclusion This simple tool was developed to ensure that all the necessary details before a procedure have been addressed. It has been made as simple as possible, to make it user-friendly. The developed checklist is a step forward in promoting and ensuring the safety of patients undergoing fluoroscopic and minimally-invasive procedures in the Department of Radiology, PGH.
Patient Safety ; Checklist ; Radiology

Background and Objective: Meningiomas represent the most prevalent benign intracranial tumors, comprising 13- 26% of primary intracranial neoplasms. These tumors derive their blood supply from both extracranial and intracranial circulation. Over recent decades, pre-operative embolization (POE) has emerged as a potential adjunctive therapy to surgery, aiming to reduce tumor vascularity. Our study seeks to explore the potential correlation between the extent of devascularization following POE of meningiomas and intraoperative blood loss. Methods: This cross-sectional study involved nine meningioma patients at a tertiary hospital, involving chart review of patients across four years. These patients were referred for POE due to angiographic evidence of a hypervascular mass between January 2018 and January 2022. We collected demographic data, tumor characteristics (including location, size, and vascular supply), and intraoperative variables such as total operative time and blood loss. Statistical analyses aimed to uncover correlations between vascularization degree and various factors. Results: Our population consists predominantly of females (53.68%), with a mean age of 45.85 ± 13.65 years. Only one mortality was recorded (7.7%). Pre-operative embolization achieved devascularization in the majority (69.2%) of cases, with approximately two-thirds (66.7%) experiencing complete devascularization. Mean total operative time stood at 336.11 ± 301.88 minutes, with a mean post-operative blood loss of 985.56 ± 1013.72 milliliters. Additionally, for those with recorded recovery times, the mean recovery time was 14.32 ± 13.51 hours. : Mortality rates showed no association with sex, devascularization status, or number of feeding vessel zones. Furthermore, the extent of devascularization did not correlate with age, sex, number of feeding vessel zones, postoperative blood loss, total operative time, or recovery time (p >0.05). Conclusion In summary, this study represents a significant endeavor to elucidate factors influencing meningioma outcomes following pre-operative embolization. Despite limitations regarding patient numbers, our study offers valuable insights into operative parameters and embolization considerations for future analyses in our tertiary center.
Meningioma ; Radiology, Interventional

No abstract available.
*Diagnostic Imaging ; Human ; Radiology/*trends ; Radiology, Interventional ; Specialties, Medical

The application of the diagnostic radiology and interventional radiology (I.R) is more and more popular all over the world. In Vietnam the I.R was first applicated at Bach Mai Hospital (Ha Noi) 1991 and Cho Ray Hospital in 1999, I.R has been used widely in many medical fields also in E.N.T (treatment of severe epistaxis and naso-angiofibroma). The authors report two typical severe epistaxis cases which treated by I.R at E.N.T department Cho Ray Hospital. The authors dertermined DSA was a very good mean that could help to evaluate and intervent for the injury of the vein, reduced the mininum ratio of severe naso-angiofibroma
Pharynx ; Nose ; ear ; diagnosis ; Radiology

OBJECTIVEThis project aims to establish an interactive oral and maxillofacial radiological image annotation database and to analyze its feasibility for implementation into curricula in order to develop a highly effective software for image browsing.

METHODSWe established the interactive image annotation database primarily on the basis of the local network and Foxit Reader. A pilot survey was then conducted to determine the performance of the interactive database. Seventy-six students were asked to complete a structured and open questionnaire related to their perceptions of using the database. Simple numeric quantitative and qualitative analyses were then applied.

RESULTSA total of 542 portable document format (PDF) digital teaching images and corresponding annotated files were collected. The survey revealed that most of the students found the database useful. Approximately 87.50% of the 64 subjects who compelete questionnaire believed that the database was superior to an older system (joint photographic experts group, JPEG) of image browsing.

CONCLUSIONThe integration and sharing of teaching resources and the establishment of an internet-based learning platform is the key to realizing a digital medical teaching system. The established database has high potential in a wide range of practical applications.

In a few years we are likely to see 3D images generated instantly, and with comparable resolution to today's 2D views. Inclusion of functional information, possibly at the molecular level, could also assist in clinical decision-making. Some specialist clinicians with intimate knowledge of their field of interest are likely to have a better understanding of the pathology and physiology of an organ system than a general radiologist. So given that the images will be presented in a more familiar format, why should clinicians and surgeons wait for a general radiologist to read them? If radiologists wish to retain their role as the experts in image interpretation, they will not only need a thorough understanding of imaging and radiological anatomy, but also a detailed understanding of pathology and physiology. It is clearly unrealistic to expect most people to gain that knowledge across a range of fields, hence the need for subspecialization. There are already commercial moves to harness the expertise of superspecialist radiologists, using teleradiology, to provide expert opinions in particularly difficult cases. This is just the beginning of a major shift in the pattern of practice in radiology. The radiology community cannot ignore impending technological developments. If radiologists take no interest in the emergence of highly detailed, user-friendly images, then the clinicians and surgeons will organise their own department-based image interpretation. However, radiologists are very good at adapting to technological change and are very likely to rise to these challenges. Far from having a sell-by date, radiology has a bright future.
Radiology ; standards ; trends ; Time Factors