scholarly journals Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on neuroimaging scan volumes at a teaching hospital

2021 ◽  
pp. 197140092098866
Author(s):  
Daniel Thomas Ginat ◽  
James Kenniff

Background The COVID-19 pandemic led to a widespread socioeconomic shutdown, including medical facilities in many parts of the world. The purpose of this study was to assess the impact on neuroimaging utilisation at an academic medical centre in the United States caused by this shutdown. Methods Exam volumes from 1 February 2020 to 11 August 2020 were calculated based on patient location, including outpatient, inpatient and emergency, as well as modality type, including computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging. 13 March 2020 was designated as the beginning of the shutdown period for the radiology department and 1 May 2020 was designated as the reopening date. The scan volumes during the pre-shutdown, shutdown and post-shutdown periods were compared using t-tests. Results Overall, neuroimaging scan volumes declined significantly by 41% during the shutdown period and returned to 98% of the pre-shutdown period levels after the shutdown, with an estimated 3231 missed scans. Outpatient scan volumes were more greatly affected than inpatient scan volumes, while emergency scan volumes declined the least during the shutdown. In addition, the magnetic resonance imaging scan volumes declined to a greater degree than the computed tomography scan volumes during the shutdown. Conclusion The shutdown from the COVID-19 pandemic had a substantial but transient impact on neuroimaging utilisation overall, with variable magnitude depending on patient location and modality type.

2010 ◽  
Vol 2010 ◽  
pp. 1-13 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mohamad C. N. Sinno ◽  
Mouaz Al-Mallah

Atherosclerosis is a systemic disease that affects most vascular beds. The gold standard of atherosclerosis imaging has been invasive intravascular ultrasound (IVUS). Newer noninvasive imaging modalities like B-mode ultrasound, cardiac computed tomography (CT), positron emission tomography (PET), and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) have been used to assess these vascular territories with high accuracy and reproducibility. These imaging modalities have lately been used for the assessment of the atherosclerotic plaque and the response of its volume to several medical therapies used in the treatment of patients with cardiovascular disease. To study the impact of these medications on atheroma volume progression or regression, imaging modalities have been used on a serial basis providing a unique opportunity to monitor the effect these antiatherosclerotic strategies exert on plaque burden. As a result, studies incorporating serial IVUS imaging, quantitative coronary angiography (QCA), B-mode ultrasound, electron beam computed tomography (EBCT), and dynamic contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging have all been used to evaluate the impact of therapeutic strategies that modify cholesterol and blood pressure on the progression/regression of atherosclerotic plaque. In this review, we intend to summarize the impact of different therapies aimed at halting the progression or even result in regression of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease evaluated by different imaging modalities.


2012 ◽  
Vol 127 (2) ◽  
pp. 192-195
Author(s):  
Y Tamura ◽  
M Suzuki ◽  
M Yamamoto ◽  
T Yoshida

AbstractObjective:We report the case of a patient with extensive pneumocephalus extending into the lateral ventricles from a brain abscess arising from a cholesteatoma-induced defect in the skull base.Case report:A 70-year-old man with cholesteatoma presented with right-sided otalgia, otorrhoea and progressive headaches. Computed tomography showed a tegmental defect (approximately 2 × 2 cm) at the right mastoid antrum. A T1-weighted, gadolinium-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging scan showed pneumocephalus in both lateral ventricles, which was directly connected to the mastoid cavity via a brain abscess and a bone defect in the skull base. Radical mastoidectomy was performed to remove the cholesteatoma. The roof of the mastoid cavity was covered extensively with fascia and a pedicled temporalis muscle flap. One week post-operatively, computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging showed no pneumocephalus.Conclusion:Pneumocephalus arising from a cholesteatoma-induced brain abscess and extending into the lateral ventricles is an important entity, with an atypical appearance on computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging.


2018 ◽  
Vol 132 (06) ◽  
pp. 529-533 ◽  
Author(s):  
H Kanona ◽  
K Stephenson ◽  
F D'Arco ◽  
K Rajput ◽  
L Cochrane ◽  
...  

AbstractBackgroundTo date, there is a lack of consensus regarding the use of both computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging in the pre-operative assessment of cochlear implant candidates.MethodsTwenty-five patients underwent high-resolution computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging. ‘Control scores’ describing the expected visualisation of specific features by computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging were established. An independent radiological review of all computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging scan features was then compared to the control scores and the findings recorded.ResultsAgreement with control scores occurred in 83 per cent (20 out of 24) of computed tomography scans and 91 per cent (21 out of 23) of magnetic resonance imaging scans. Radiological abnormalities were demonstrated in 16 per cent of brain scans and 18 per cent of temporal bone investigations.ConclusionAssessment in the paediatric setting constitutes a special situation given the likelihood of congenital temporal bone abnormalities and associated co-morbidities that may be relevant to surgery and prognosis following cochlear implantation. Both computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging contribute valuable information and remain necessary in paediatric cochlear implant pre-operative assessment.


2018 ◽  
Vol 132 (7) ◽  
pp. 584-590 ◽  
Author(s):  
A V Kasbekar ◽  
C Swords ◽  
B Attlmayr ◽  
T Kulkarni ◽  
A C Swift

AbstractBackgroundComputed tomography is the standard pre-operative imaging modality for sinonasal papilloma. The complementary use of magnetic resonance imaging as an additional investigation is debated. This study aimed to establish whether magnetic resonance imaging can accurately detect tumour extent and is a useful adjunct to computed tomography.MethodsA retrospective review was conducted on 19 patients with sinonasal papilloma. The interpretation of computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging scans, by three clinicians, was conducted by comparing prediction of tumour extent. The perceived necessity of magnetic resonance imaging was compared between clinicians.ResultsThe addition of magnetic resonance imaging improved accuracy of pre-operative interpretation; specifically, this finding was significant in cases with frontal sinus involvement. Surgeons were more likely than a radiologist to request magnetic resonance imaging, particularly when computed tomography indicated frontal sinus disease.ConclusionPre-operative combined magnetic resonance imaging and computed tomography helped predict disease in the frontal sinus better than computed tomography alone. A close working relationship between the ENT and radiology departments is important for accurate tumour localisation.


Submit Manuscript | http://medc rav eonline.co m Introduction Colorectal adenocarcinoma is the third most common malignant neoplasia and the third leading cause of death from cancer in men and women in the United States. Current data show that the incidence of colorectal adenocarcinoma is decreasing in developed countries but increasing in developing countries. 1 The 2018 estimates of the Bra - zilian National Cancer Institute (Instituto Nacional do Câncer–INCA) were 17,380 new cases in men and 18,980 in women, making col - orectal adenocarcinoma the third most common neoplasia in men and the second most common in women in Brazil. 2 In the past 15 years, rectal cancer management has evolved in several aspects. Specifical - ly, a better understanding of the natural history of the disease, more precise radiological staging, multimodal therapeutic intervention, refined surgical techniques, and more detailed histopathological re - ports may have positively influenced patient survival. In this context, multidisciplinary management of colorectal cancer plays an important role and requires the coordinated teamwork of colorectal surgeons, oncologists, radiologists, and radiotherapists. 3 Total mesorectal exci - sion is still the basis of treatment in rectal cancer. However, neoadju - vant therapy and more conservative practices have been adopted in cases of clinical/pathological responses to radiochemotherapy. 4 Ra - diological evaluation of the response is of paramount importance for the selection of patients eligible for alternative treatment strategies, including ‘watch-and-wait’. Diffusion-weighted imaging is already being used routinely in the evaluation of the pathological response of rectal tumour patients submitted to neoadjuvant therapy. Some re - searchers have tried to estimate the tumour regression grade (TRG) using magnetic resonance imaging, as has been described for post-ra - diochemotherapy pathological evaluation, thus rendering it a valuable instrument. Considering the good results obtained with multimodal therapy in extraperitoneal rectal cancer, the evaluation of the pathological re - sponse post-neoadjuvant therapy must be considered as a factor for safe indication, both for the conservative option, in which the organ is preserved, and for radical surgical resection, influencing the choice between sphincter-preserving surgery and abdominoperineal excision. A precise evaluation, by comparing the results of post-neoadjuvant therapy magnetic resonance imaging with those obtained from his - Int J Radiol Radiat Ther. 2018;5(4):254 ‒ 258. 254 © 2018 Oliveira et al. This is an open access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License , which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and build upon your work non-commercially. Magnetic resonance imaging is effective in assessing tumour regression after neoadjuvancy in rectal adenocarcinoma

Author(s):  
Fábio Henrique de Oliveira ◽  
Antônio Lacerda-Filho ◽  
Fábio Lopes de Queiroz ◽  
Tatiana Martins Gomide Leite ◽  
Paulo Guilherme Oliveira Sales ◽  
...  

2019 ◽  
Vol 1 ◽  
pp. 2-6
Author(s):  
Asad Naqvi ◽  
Timothy Ariyanayagam ◽  
Mir Akber Ali ◽  
Akhila Rachakonda ◽  
Hema N. Choudur

Objective: The objective of this study was to outline a novel unique concept of secondary impingement of the muscles, myotendons, and tendons of the rotator cuff from hypertrophy as a result of strength training exercises. Methods: In this retrospective observational study, 58 patients were referred for an magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) by the orthopedic surgeon to the radiology department over a period of 1½ years. All patients gave a history of strength training exercises and presented with clinical features of rotator cuff impingement. Results: We identified features of hypertrophy of rotator cuff muscles, myotendons, and tendons in 12 of these 58 patients. This was the only abnormality on MRI. The hypertrophy of rotator cuff muscles and tendon bulk completely filling the subacromial space to the point of overfilling and resulting in secondary compressive features. Conclusion: Rotator cuff impingement is a common phenomenon that can occur with various inlet and outlet pathological conditions. However, rotator cuff impingement may also result from muscle and tendon hypertrophy from strength training regimens. Hypertrophy of the rotator cuff can result in overfilling of the subacromial space, leading to secondary impingement, which we have termed as “pseudo-impingement.”


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