BACKGROUND

Mobile clinics offer crucial healthcare services, including X-ray examinations, to underserved communities. Minimizing image repeats in this setting is vital due to radiation exposure, patient inconvenience, and cost implications.

This study investigated the prevalence and causes of image repeat in conventional radiography performed within mobile clinics in the Philippines.

A retrospective review analyzed data from five mobile clinics located in two highly urbanized cities in the Philippines from July to December 2023). Radiology staff assessed image quality, with suboptimal images requiring retakes. Reasons for rejection were categorized.

Out of 871 radiographs taken, 118 (13.55%) were repeated. Vertebrae and pelvic girdle images had the highest repeat rates (33.33%). Positioning errors were the most common cause (44.07%), followed by underexposure and overexposure.

This study identified a concerning repeat rate (13.55%) for mobile X-rays, primarily due to improper patient positioning, particularly for specific body parts. Targeted training programs and stricter protocols for mobile clinic staff are needed. Radiography education should also emphasize these skills, potentially through collaboration with mobile clinic operators to ensure graduates are prepared for the unique challenges of this environment.

BACKGROUND

Mobile clinics offer crucial healthcare services, including X-ray examinations, to underserved communities. Minimizing image repeats in this setting is vital due to radiation exposure, patient inconvenience, and cost implications.

This study investigated the prevalence and causes of image repeat in conventional radiography performed within mobile clinics in the Philippines.

A retrospective review analyzed data from five mobile clinics located in two highly urbanized cities in the Philippines from July to December 2023). Radiology staff assessed image quality, with suboptimal images requiring retakes. Reasons for rejection were categorized.

Out of 871 radiographs taken, 118 (13.55%) were repeated. Vertebrae and pelvic girdle images had the highest repeat rates (33.33%). Positioning errors were the most common cause (44.07%), followed by underexposure and overexposure.

This study identified a concerning repeat rate (13.55%) for mobile X-rays, primarily due to improper patient positioning, particularly for specific body parts. Targeted training programs and stricter protocols for mobile clinic staff are needed. Radiography education should also emphasize these skills, potentially through collaboration with mobile clinic operators to ensure graduates are prepared for the unique challenges of this environment.

This paper aims to propose a noninvasive radiotherapy patient positioning system based on structured light surface imaging, and evaluate its clinical feasibility. First, structured light sensors were used to obtain the panoramic point clouds during radiotherapy positioning in real time. The fusion of different point clouds and coordinate transformation were realized based on optical calibration and pose estimation, and the body surface was segmented referring to the preset region of interest (ROI). Then, the global-local registration of cross-source point cloud was achieved based on algorithms such as random sample consensus (RANSAC) and iterative closest point (ICP), to calculate 6 degrees of freedom (DoF) positioning deviation and provide guidance for the correction of couch shifts. The evaluation of the system was carried out based on a rigid adult phantom and volunteers' body, which included positioning error, correlation analysis, and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis. Using Cone Beam CT (CBCT) as the gold standard, the maximum translation and rotation errors of this system were (1.5 ± 0.9) mm along Vrt direction (chest) and (0.7 ± 0.3) ° along Pitch direction (head and neck). The Pearson correlation coefficient between results of system outputs and CBCT verification distributed in an interval of [0.80, 0.84]. Results of ROC analysis showed that the translational and rotational AUC values were 0.82 and 0.85, respectively. In the 4D freedom accuracy test on the human body of volunteers, the maximum translation and rotation errors were (2.6 ± 1.1) mm (Vrt direction, chest and abdomen) and (0.8 ± 0.4)° (Rtn direction, chest and abdomen) respectively. In summary, the positioning system based on structured light body surface imaging proposed in this article can ensure positioning accuracy without surface markers and additional doses, and is feasible for clinical application.
Humans ; Patient Positioning/methods* ; Phantoms, Imaging ; Cone-Beam Computed Tomography ; Algorithms ; Radiotherapy, Image-Guided/methods* ; Radiotherapy Planning, Computer-Assisted/methods*

OBJECTIVE: To compare early graft healing between over-the-top (OTT) and anatomic single-bundle (SB) anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction. METHODS: A clinical data of 40 patients underwent ACL reconstruction, who admitted between June 2021 and October 2022 and met the selective criteria, was retrospectively analyzed. Among them, 20 patients were treated with OTT reconstruction (OTT group) and 20 with SB reconstruction (SB group). There was no significant difference between groups ( P>0.05) in the gender, age, affected side, disease duration, degree of meniscus injury, body mass index, and preoperative International Knee Documentation Committee (IKDC) score, Lysholm score, pain visual analogue scale (VAS) score, and KT-2000 measurement. At 3, 6, and 12 months, MRI was performed to measure the signal noise quotient (SNQ) of the proximal end, middle, and distal end of the graft in the two groups, as well as at the corner of the graft with lateral femoral condyle and 1 cm around the femoral fixation point in the OTT group, to observe the degree of graft healing. Before operation and at 3, 6, and 12 months, the knee function and pain were evaluated by IKDC score, Lysholm score, and VAS score. Before operation and at 12 months after operation, the KT-2000 measurement was taken to evaluation the knee joint stability. RESULTS: All operations were successfully completed in both groups and the incisions healed by first intention. All patients were followed up 12-15 months (mean, 12.9 months), with no significant difference in the follow-up time between groups ( P>0.05). After operation, the IKDC score, VAS score, and Lysholm score improved gradually over time in both groups, with significant differences between different time points ( P<0.05). The differences between groups at 3, 6, and 12 months after operation were not significant ( P>0.05). The anterior and posterior stability of the knee joint improved significantly in both groups at 12 months after operation, and the difference in KT-2000 measurements was significant when compared with the preoperative value ( P<0.05), but the difference of pre- and post-operation between groups was not significant ( P>0.05). At 3, 6, and 12 months after operation, MRI showed that the differences in the SNQ of the proximal end and middle of the grafts between the two groups were not significant ( P>0.05), and the SNQ of distal end was significantly higher in the SB group than in the OTT group ( P<0.05). At each time point, grafts in the OTT group had the highest SNQ at the corner and the lowest at the fixation point, and the differences were significant compared to the other sites ( P<0.05). In the two groups, except for the fixation point, the SNQ of the remaining sites were highest at 6 months and lowest at 12 months ( P<0.05). In addition, there were significant differences in SNQ between the different sites of grafts ( P<0.05), and the SNQ was lowest at proximal end and highest at distal end. At last follow-up, the knee grafts in both groups were in good shape and no graft necrosis or loosening of the internal fixation was observed. CONCLUSION The knee joint function and graft healing after OTT reconstruction of ACL are similar to those of SB reconstruction, but it should be noted that the healing at the corner of the graft is slower.
Retrospective Studies ; Treatment Outcome ; Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction/rehabilitation* ; Follow-Up Studies ; Tibial Meniscus Injuries/surgery* ; Patient Positioning/methods* ; Recovery of Function ; Pain Measurement ; Knee Joint/surgery* ; Humans ; Male ; Female ; Adult ; Wound Healing

OBJECTIVE: To compare the effectiveness of arthroscopic outside-in release for gluteal muscle contracture (GMC) in supine position versus lateral decubitus position. METHODS: The clinical data of 34 GMC patients meeting selection criteria between January 2022 and May 2023 were retrospectively analyzed. Arthroscopic contracture band release was performed in the lateral decubitus position (lateral group, n=14) or the supine position (supine group, n=20). No significant difference ( P>0.05) was observed between groups in baseline data, including gender, age, body mass index, preoperative GMC functional quantitative score, modified Harris hip score (mHHS), visual analogue scale (VAS) pain score, and hip flexion/adduction range of motion (ROM). The total operation time, release procedure time, non-release procedure time, intraoperative blood loss, hospital stay, and postoperative complications were recorded and compared. Functional outcomes (GMC functional quantitative score, mHHS score, VAS score, hip flexion/adduction ROM) were evaluated preoperatively and at 3, 12, and 24 months postoperatively. RESULTS: All incisions healed by first intention without major vascular or neurological complications. In the lateral group, 3 patients developed patchy bruising on bilateral buttocks and posterior thighs at 3 days after operation, which resolved after 2 weeks of ice packs and ultrasonic therapy. The supine group demonstrated significantly shorter total operation time, non-release procedure time, hospital stay, and reduced intraoperative blood loss versus the lateral group ( P<0.05). No significant difference was found in release procedure time ( P>0.05). All patients were followed up 24 months. Both groups showed significant improvements ( P<0.05) in mHHS score, GMC functional quantitative score, VAS score, and hip adduction/flexion ROM at all postoperative timepoints compared to preoperative values, with no significant intergroup differences ( P>0.05). CONCLUSION Both surgical positions effectively improve hip function in GMC patients. However, the supine position offers significant advantages over the lateral decubitus position in operation time, anesthesia management, intraoperative blood loss control, and reduced hospital stay.
Humans ; Male ; Female ; Arthroscopy/methods* ; Retrospective Studies ; Buttocks/surgery* ; Adult ; Range of Motion, Articular ; Supine Position ; Treatment Outcome ; Middle Aged ; Contracture/surgery* ; Muscle, Skeletal/surgery* ; Young Adult ; Operative Time ; Hip Contracture/surgery* ; Patient Positioning/methods*

Objective:To investigate the clinical characteristics of residual dizziness（RD） after repositioning in patients with benign paroxysmal positional vertigo（BPPV）, identify its potential risk factors, and develop a predictive risk model. Methods:A total of 137 patients diagnosed with BPPV at the First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University between January 2023 and June 2023 were enrolled. Based on the presence or absence of subjective discomfort within 3 months after successful repositioning, patients were divided into the non-RD group（NRD, n=93） and the RD group（n=44）. Differences in demographic characteristics, comorbidities, and disease-related features were compared between groups. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to identify independent risk factors for RD, and a nomogram was constructed based on these factors. The predictive performance of the model was assessed using the area under the curve（AUC）. Results:The RD group showed significantly higher values in body mass index, prevalence of diabetes and motion sickness history, dizziness duration before repositioning, history of repositioning at external hospitals, number of treatments, and recurrence（all P<0.001）. Multivariate logistic regression revealed that diabetes（adjusted OR=8.73, P=0.039）, motion sickness history（adjusted OR=23.08, P<0.001）, dizziness duration ≥30 days before repositioning（adjusted OR=15.16, P<0.001）, and recurrence（adjusted OR=15.72, P=0.001） were independent risk factors for RD. The nomogram model based on these variables demonstrated good predictive ability, with an AUC of 0.804（95%CI 0.684-0.924）. Conclusion:Diabetes, motion sickness history, dizziness duration ≥30 days, and recurrence are independent risk factors for RD after repositioning in patients with BPPV. The nomogram model based on these variables shows good predictive performance, with recurrence having the highest predictive value. This model can aid in early identification of high-risk patients and guide individualized intervention strategies.
Humans ; Nomograms ; Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo/therapy* ; Dizziness/etiology* ; Risk Factors ; Risk Assessment ; Multivariate Analysis ; Male ; Female ; Logistic Models ; Middle Aged ; Patient Positioning ; Adult

Prone position ventilation (PPV) is an important protective strategy for lung ventilation, widely used in clinical practice, especially since the novel coronavirus infection pandemic. Since PPV is a non-physiological position, improper implementation and management can lead to serious adverse events such as pressure injury, facial edema, unplanned extubation and (or) reintubation, and even asphyxia. At present, preventive and protective strategies are mainly used to manage PPV-related complications in clinical practice. These strategies not only increase the workload of medical staff and the use of consumables, but also increase the medical cost of patients, further burdening patients and their families economically. To overcome the above problems, the medical staff of the department of critical care medicine of Tianjin Third Central Hospital designed a prone position head auxiliary support device and obtained a national utility model patent (patent number: ZL 2022 2 1751906.3). The device consists of annular plate, folding plate, support frame, reflector and wheel bodies. It serves to reduce pressure on the head and facial skin, while also exposing the mouth, nose, eyes, and ears to the hollow position of the annular plate according to the patient's position. At the same time, the patient's face or side skin can be observed through the lower reflector. The height of the annular plate was adjusted by adjusting the support frame, and the head was raised to reduce facial edema. The setting of strip groove, through hole and hook can sort out the facial pipeline, keep the drainage unobstructed, prevent catheter displacement and unplanned extubation, and has certain clinical promotion and practical value.
Humans ; Prone Position ; Equipment Design ; Respiration, Artificial/methods* ; COVID-19 ; Head ; Patient Positioning

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the intra-fraction and inter-fraction positional deviations in head and neck tumor patients undergoing intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) guided by cone-beam CT (CBCT), as well as the correction capability and stability of the HexaPOD evo RT 6D couch in addressing these deviations. METHODS: From May 2019 to April 2022, 59 consecutive patients with head and neck tumors were enrolled at the Department of Radiation Oncology, Peking University Third Hospital.Using the Elekta AXESSE image-guided stereotactic treatment system, a pre-treatment CBCT scan was performed, followed by bone window mode registration with the planning reference images.Deviations were corrected automatically or manually on the 6D couch, followed by a second CBCT scan for confirmation of the deviation correction.Positional errors in translation (X, Y, Z directions) and rotation (Rx, Ry, Rz directions) were recorded before and after correction, and intra-fraction and inter-fraction positional errors were analyzed. RESULTS: Positional error data before and after correction of the 6D couch were successfully obtained and corrected online in 506 CBCT scans.The maximum positional errors before and after correction were 0.90 cm to 0.04 cm (X direction), 1.74 cm to 0.09 cm (Y direction), 1.80 cm to 0.09 cm (Z direction), and 2.90° to 0.14°(Rx direction), 3.00° to 0.15°(Ry direction), 3.00° to 0.15°(Rz direction), respectively.The mean absolute values of translational (X, Y, Z directions) and rotational (Rx, Ry, Rz directions) errors significantly decreased after online correction, from 0.18 cm, 0.22 cm, 0.25 cm, and 0.82°, 1.11°, 0.73° to 0.01 cm, 0.01 cm, 0.01 cm, and 0.04°, 0.06°, 0.04°(all P values < 0.001).After correction, the frequencies of translational errors less than 0.10 cm in the X, Y, Z directions were 99.60%, 98.62%, and 95.45%, respectively, and the frequencies of rotational errors less than 0.2° were all above 99.80%. CONCLUSION Online correction combined with CBCT and the 6D couch significantly reduces both translational and rotational positional errors in patients undergoing head and neck radiation therapy, greatly enhancing the precision of treatment.
Humans ; Cone-Beam Computed Tomography ; Head and Neck Neoplasms/diagnostic imaging* ; Radiotherapy, Image-Guided/methods* ; Radiotherapy, Intensity-Modulated/methods* ; Patient Positioning/methods* ; Radiotherapy Planning, Computer-Assisted/methods* ; Male ; Radiotherapy Setup Errors/prevention & control* ; Female

Humans ; COVID-19 ; Prone Position ; SARS-CoV-2 ; Patient Positioning

Objective:To evaluate the influence of an additional roll test on the repositioning procedure by SRM-vertigo diagnosis system for horizontal canal benign paroxysmal positional vertigo（HC-BPPV）. Methods:A total of 713 patients diagnosed with HC-BPPV in Department of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery，the First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University from Jan 2020 to Feb 2022 were enrolled. The patients were divided into two groups by hospital card numbers, in which the number is odd were considered as group A, and the number is even were considered as group B. The group A underwent two circles of Barbecue repositioning procedure by SRM-vertigo diagnosis system, while the group B first performed an additional roll test and then underwent two circles of Barbecue repositioning procedure by SRM-vertigo diagnosis system, to observe the cure rate and compare influence of HC-BPPV by an additional roll test. The quality of life and sleep of patients before and one-month after the treatment were assessed by the dizziness handicap inventory（DHI） and the pittsburgh sleep quality（PSQI）. Results:The cure rate of group A was 63.21%, and the cure rate of group B was 87.68%，the difference between the two groups was statistically significant（P<0.05）; The DHI score of patients after the repositioning was significantly lower than that before the repositioning（P<0.05）. The PSQI score after the repositioning was significantly lower than that before the repositioning（P<0.05）. The DHI and the PSQI scores after the repositioning were significantly lower than that before the repositioning, with a statistically significant difference （P< 0.05）. The total score of DHI in group B after treatment was lower than that in group A, with a statistically significant difference（P<0.05）. The total score of PSQI in group B after treatment was lower than that in group A, with non-statistically significant difference （P< 0.05）. Conclusion:An additional roll test before the repositioning procedure by SRM-vertigo diagnosis system can significantly improve the cure rate of HC-BPPV, relieve anxiety, and improve the quality of life.
Humans ; Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo/diagnosis* ; Quality of Life ; Patient Positioning/methods* ; Dizziness ; Semicircular Canals