scholarly journals GP access to MRI: the Australian reality

2009 ◽  
Vol 33 (2) ◽  
pp. 311 ◽  
Author(s):  
Owen M Bradfield

Twelve months ago, the Australian Medical Association (AMA) called upon the Federal Labor Government to implement a previous coalition policy allowing general practitioners to directly refer patients for magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans of the knee and brain. To support their position, the AMA commissioned a University of Sydney report evaluating the health care and economic outcomes of the policy. The AMA reported that the results supported the policy and would result in a $42 million saving from fewer computed tomography (CT) scans and fewer specialist referrals and consultations. Arguably, this was not an accurate portrayal of the results. Further research is needed, and ongoing dialogue with radiologists and other key stakeholders is urged, to ensure that access to MRI facilities will continue to meet future demand and that GPs will be adequately trained in utilising MRI services.

1989 ◽  
Vol 101 (4) ◽  
pp. 422-425 ◽  
Author(s):  
Daniel D. Lydiatt ◽  
Rodney S. Markin ◽  
Susan M. Williams ◽  
Leon F. Davis ◽  
Anthony J. Yonkers

Thirteen patients with head and neck cancer underwent staging by clinical examination, computed tomography (CT), and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in a standardized blinded fashion. All patients subsequently underwent radical neck dissection with subsequent pathologic staging. CT and MRI each predicted 93% of staging results correctly, with clinical examination correct 67% of the time. Staging of primary tumors had an accuracy of 90% by clinical examination, 40% by CT, and 50% by MRI when compared to staging of the pathologic specimen. Understaging was seen in 50% of CT scans and 30% of MRI scans. We believe either CT or MRI should be considered for routine staging of the neck in all head and neck malignancies.


2021 ◽  
Vol 4 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 300-301
Author(s):  
M Monachese ◽  
S Li ◽  
M Salim ◽  
L Guimaraes ◽  
P D James

Abstract Background Pancreatic cystic lesions are increasingly identified in persons undergoing abdominal imaging. Serous cystic neoplasms (SCNs) have a very low risk of malignant transformation. Resection of SCNs is not recommended in the absence of related symptoms. The accuracy of computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to identify SCNs is not known and may impact clinical care. Aims To evaluate the accuracy of computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) for the diagnosis of SCN. To see how this can impact the decision to resect suspected SCNs. Methods Retrospective cohort study of patients from the University Health Network with suspected SCNs from 2017–2020 who underwent either a CT or MRI of the abdomen. Reports noting pancreatic cystic lesions were identified and reviewed. Only cases with suspected SCNs were included. Clinical (age, sex, symptoms, treatment) and radiographic (type of imaging, reported cyst characteristics) data was collected. Pathology was reviewed for all cases where the cysts was biopsied or resected during follow-up. The gold standard for the diagnosis for SCN was pathology of resected specimen or EUS-guided biopsy cytopathology showing no evidence of a mucinous lesion, CEA level below 10ug per L and amylase level below 50 U/L. Results 163 patients were included in the study. 99 (61%) were female and 98 (60%) underwent CT scan. EUS-guided biopsy was performed in 24 (15%) of patients and 8 (5%) had surgical resection. Multidisciplinary review was performed in 6 of the 8 cases that went to surgery. Of the resected specimens, 5 (63%) were SCN, 1 was a mucinous cystic lesion, 1 was a neuroendocrine tumor and 1 was a carcinoma. Two patients underwent EUS evaluation prior to surgical resection. In one case SCN was resected when EUS reported an undetermined cyst type. Reasons for surgical resection were: the diagnosis of serous cyst was not definitive (n=5), symptoms (n=2), and high-risk mucinous cystic neoplasm identified on EUS (n=1). Of 30 patients with pathology available, 15 (50%) were confirmed to have a SCN. CT and MRI had a sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value and negative predictive value of 93%, 25%, 52% and 80%, respectively. Conclusions Surgical resection for SCN lesions is driven by diagnostic uncertainty after cross-sectional imaging. Multidisciplinary review and EUS evaluation may improve diagnostic accuracy and should be considered prior to surgical resection of possible SCN lesions. Funding Agencies None


Pain Practice ◽  
2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marco Reining ◽  
Dirk Winkler ◽  
Joachim Boettcher ◽  
Juergen Meixensberger ◽  
Michael Kretzschmar

2019 ◽  
Vol 58 (6) ◽  
pp. 671-676
Author(s):  
Amy M. West ◽  
Pierre A. d’Hemecourt ◽  
Olivia J. Bono ◽  
Lyle J. Micheli ◽  
Dai Sugimoto

The objective of this study was to determine diagnostic accuracy of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and computed tomography (CT) scans in young athletes diagnosed with spondylolysis. A cross-sectional study was used. Twenty-two young athletes (14.7 ± 1.5 years) were diagnosed as spondylolysis based on a single-photon emission CT. Following the diagnosis, participants underwent MRI and CT scan imaging tests on the same day. The sensitivity and false-negative rate of the MRI and CT scans were analyzed. MRI test confirmed 13 (+) and 9 (−) results while CT test showed 17 (+) and 5 (−) results. The sensitivity and false-negative rate of MRI were, respectively, 59.1% (95% confidence interval [CI] = 36.7% to 78.5%) and 40.9% (95% CI = 21.5% to 63.3%). Furthermore, the sensitivity and false-negative rate of CT scan were 77.3% (95% CI = 54.2% to 91.3%) and 22.7% (95% CI = 0.09% to 45.8%). Our results indicated that CT scan is a more accurate imaging modality to diagnose spondylolysis compared with MRI in young athletes.


2009 ◽  
Vol 56 (3) ◽  
pp. 39-44
Author(s):  
R.M. Maksimovic ◽  
B.A. Banko ◽  
J.P. Milovanovic

Computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) are enabling more precise diagnosis and treatment planning in patients with diseases of the larynx. The aim of this article is to describe the role of these methods in assessment of the laringeal diseases and key local anatomic characteristics important for spread of the disease. CT and MRI have a valuable contribution to the staging of the tumors due to the possibility to show the relationship to the ventricular complex, involvement of the subumucosal spaces, defining craniocaudal and anterposterior extension, laringeal cartilage invasion, as well as regional lymph node metastases.


Author(s):  
Cheng-Yi Wang ◽  
Wei-Chou Chang ◽  
Hsin-Hung Huang ◽  
Wei-Kuo Chang ◽  
Yu-Lueng Shih ◽  
...  

Objective: Not all endoscopic clips are compatible with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). The aim of this study is to investigate the safety of MRI-incompatible endoscopic clips in patients undergoing MRI scans. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of patients who had received endoscopic clip placement of Olympus Long Clip MRI-incompatible clips and then had undergone MRI scans within two weeks in our hospital between 2014 and 2019. Results: A total of 44,292 patients had undergone an MRI examination at our hospital. Only 15 patients had MRI scans within two weeks after the endoscopic clip placement. Their median age was 65.5 years, and 12 of the 15 patients were men. At the time of the clip placement and MRI scan, four patients were taking anti-coagulation or anti-platelet agents. The indication for endoscopic clip placement of the 15 patients was mucosal/submucosal defect or hemorrhage and colonic perforation. Endoscopic clips were placed in the colon of 14 patients and in the stomach of only one patient for gastric hemorrhage. One patient experienced clip migration and three displayed artifacts in abdominal images. No patient complications of mortality, hemorrhage, or organ perforation occurred. Conclusion: No serious adverse event occurred during MRI scans of patients with MRI-incompatible clips in this study, suggesting that MRI-incompatible clips may be safe to use in MRI scans. However, this does not guarantee the safety of the Long Clip for MRI scans, as further tests are needed to verify that this clip is safe for use during MRI.


Hand ◽  
2022 ◽  
pp. 155894472110643
Author(s):  
Jimmy H. Daruwalla ◽  
Jan Skrok ◽  
Mitchell A. Pet ◽  
Aviram M. Giladi ◽  
James P. Higgins

Background: The medial femoral trochlea (MFT) osteochondral flap is employed for reconstruction of unsalvageable scaphoid proximal pole nonunions. The convex surface of the cartilage-bearing proximal trochlea is used to replace the similarly contoured proximal scaphoid and articulate with the concave scaphoid fossa of the radius. A magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) comparison of the shape of the MFT as it relates to the native proximal scaphoid has not been previously performed. Our study aimed to quantifiably compare the shape of the MFT, proximal scaphoid, and scaphoid fossa. Methods: Using imaging processing software, we measured radius of curvature of the articular segments in MRI scans of 10 healthy subjects’ wrists and knees. Results: Compared with the scaphoid fossa, average ratio of the radius of circumference of the proximal scaphoid was 0.79 and 0.78 in the coronal and sagittal planes, respectively. Compared with the scaphoid fossa, average ratio of the radius of circumference of the MFT was 0.98 and 1.31 in the coronal and sagittal planes, respectively. The radius of curvature of the MFT was larger than the proximal scaphoid, in the coronal and sagittal planes. In the coronal plane, the MFT radius of curvature is nearly identical to the scaphoid fossa, a closer match than the scaphoid itself. In the sagittal plane, the radius of curvature of the MFT was larger than the radius of curvature of the scaphoid fossa. Conclusions: Our data suggest that the radius of curvature, in the sagittal and coronal planes, of the MFT and proximal scaphoid is disparate.


2008 ◽  
Vol 90 (1) ◽  
pp. 25-28 ◽  
Author(s):  
S Blyth ◽  
A Blakeborough ◽  
M Peterson ◽  
IC Cameron ◽  
AW Majeed

INTRODUCTION The aim of this study was to evaluate the sensitivity of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in the detection of colorectal liver metastases. PATIENTS AND METHODS Pre-operative MRI scanning of the liver was performed by a single radiologist and the size and number of definite liver metastases were recorded. Patients then underwent hepatectomy with routine intra-operative ultrasonography (IOUS) and resected specimens were sent for histopathology. Pathology findings were compared with those of MRI scans to determine the sensitivity of this imaging modality. Exclusions were patients undergoing hepatic resection more than 4 weeks after the MRI scan, those undergoing chemotherapy at the time of the scan, and those with conglomerate unilobar metastases. RESULTS Complete data were available for 84 patients. There was total agreement between MRI, IOUS and histology in 79 patients (101 metastases). MRI missed 5 metastases in 5 patients that were found on IOUS (or palpation of superficial lesions) and subsequently confirmed by histological examination. These measured 5 mm or less (4 patients) and 7 mm (one patient). The sensitivity of MRI in the detection of colorectal liver metastases was thus 94% for all lesions and 100% for lesions 1 cm or larger in diameter. CONCLUSIONS MRI of the liver is a non-invasive technique with an extremely high degree of sensitivity in the detection of colorectal liver metastases and should be considered as the ‘gold standard’ in the pre-operative imaging of these patients.


Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document