Radiological Reporting of Urgencies Related to Medical Devices: Commentary on a Possible Systematic Approach

Most medical devices are routinely recognized on radiological images and described as normal findings in the radiological report, but sometimes they can cause patient access to the emergency department. Multiple possible complications have been described and most of them require prompt recognition by radiologists for proper clinical management. This commentary proposes a systematic approach to radiological reporting of the most common emergent complications related to medical devices with the intent to avoid the omission of important findings in the final radiological report.

Download Full-text

Management of Pleural Effusions in the Emergency Department.

Reviews on Recent Clinical Trials ◽

10.2174/1574887115666200624194457 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 15 ◽

Author(s):

MT Congedo ◽

GM Ferretti ◽

D Nachira ◽

MA Pennisi

Keyword(s):

Emergency Department ◽

Systematic Approach ◽

Acute Chest Pain ◽

Pleural Effusions ◽

Therapeutic Approaches ◽

Massive Pleural Effusion ◽

Emergency Department Setting ◽

Clinical Conditions ◽

Definitive Management

Background: In symptomatic patients, admitted in emergency department for acute chest pain and dyspnea, who require an urgent treatment, a rapid diagnosis and prompt management of massive pleural effusion or hemothorax can be lifesaving. The aim of this review was to summarize the current diagnostic and therapeutic approaches for the management of the main types of pleural effusions that physicians can have in an emergency department setting. Methods: Current literature about the topic was reviewed and critically reported, adding the experience of the authors in the management of pleural effusions in emergency settings. Results: The paper analyzed the main types of pleural effusions that physicians can have to treat. It illustrated the diagnostic steps by the principal radiological instruments, with a particular emphasis to the role of ultrasonography, in facilitating diagnosis and guiding invasive procedures. Then, the principal procedures, like thoracentesis and insertion of small and large bore chest drains, are indicated and illustrated according to the characteristics and the amount of the effusion and patient clinical conditions. Conclusion: The emergency physician must have a systematic approach that allows rapid recognition, clinical cause identification and definitive management of potential urgent pleural effusions.

Download Full-text

In silico imaging clinical trials: cheaper, faster, better, safer, and more scalable

Trials ◽

10.1186/s13063-020-05002-w ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 22 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Aldo Badano

Keyword(s):

Clinical Trial ◽

Clinical Trials ◽

Medical Devices ◽

In Silico ◽

Lessons Learned ◽

Patient Access ◽

High Quality ◽

Virtual Imaging ◽

Regulatory Evaluation

AbstractImaging clinical trials can be burdensome and often delay patient access to novel, high-quality medical devices. Tools for in silico imaging trials have significantly improved in sophistication and availability. Here, I describe some of the principal advantages of in silico imaging trials and enumerate five lessons learned during the design and execution of the first all-in silico virtual imaging clinical trial for regulatory evaluation (the VICTRE study).

Download Full-text

P50 Exploring the Merits and Availability of Smartphone Applications Related to Melanoma

BJS Open ◽

10.1093/bjsopen/zrab032.049 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 5 (Supplement_1) ◽

Author(s):

Jade Kabbani ◽

Jamil Kabbani ◽

Jade Kabbani

Keyword(s):

Clinical Management ◽

Literature Search ◽

Patient Access ◽

Smartphone Applications ◽

App Store ◽

Widespread Availability ◽

Smartphone Use ◽

Clinical Tools ◽

Google Play ◽

Privacy Issues

Abstract Background The increased use of smartphone applications across healthcare specialties has been particularly relevant in dermatology, with dermatology related applications widely available on mainstream application stores. We reviewed published literature regarding melanoma-related applications, and the number and types of such applications available for download. Methods A literature search of “dermatology”, “smartphone” and “melanoma” was conducted to identify publications assessing applications of interest. “Melanoma” was searched in Apple’s (iOS) “App Store” and Google’s “Google Play”, and application purposes and ratings were analysed. Results 54 of the 63 literature search results explored smartphone use in relation to melanoma, describing benefits including quicker patient access to care, reduced referrals and hence unnecessary consultations, and improved accessibility to information. However, concerns include insufficient image quality, privacy issues related to encryption, and diagnostic inaccuracy. Searches on the Google Play and iOS stores identified 249 and 51 apps respectively. 25% of Google Play results were categorised as clinical tools, 17% as educational, and 58% as recreational. The corresponding results for the App store were 92%, 6% and 2%. 81% of the educational apps and 92% of the clinical management apps related to dermatology and melanoma on Google Play, whereas all of the clinical management apps and 67% of the education apps on the App store were of relevance. Conclusion The results illustrate the widespread availability of applications related to melanoma, particularly for educational and clinical purposes. Standardising photographing techniques, improving diagnostic accuracy, and privacy issues are important aspects to consider and warrant further investigation.

Download Full-text

Evaluating the effects of increasing surgical volume on emergency department patient access

BMJ Quality & Safety ◽

10.1136/bmjqs.2008.030007 ◽

2011 ◽

Vol 20 (2) ◽

pp. 146-152 ◽

Cited By ~ 16

Author(s):

S. Levin ◽

R. Dittus ◽

D. Aronsky ◽

M. Weinger ◽

D. France

Keyword(s):

Emergency Department ◽

Emergency Department Patient ◽

Surgical Volume ◽

Patient Access

Download Full-text

Renal colic, where is it headed? An observational study

Archivio Italiano di Urologia e Andrologia ◽

10.4081/aiua.2016.1.7 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 88 (1) ◽

pp. 7 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Paolo Beltrami ◽

Andrea Guttilla ◽

Lorenzo Ruggera ◽

Patrizia Bernich ◽

Filiberto Zattoni

Keyword(s):

Emergency Department ◽

Urinary Tract ◽

Observational Study ◽

Clinical Management ◽

Renal Colic ◽

Ureteral Stone ◽

Ureteral Calculi ◽

Ureteral Calculus ◽

Spontaneous Expulsion ◽

Pain Symptoms

Aim: In the last thirty years, the treatment for renal and ureteral calculi has undergone profound variations. The objective of this study has been to evaluate the existence of parameters which can affect the spontaneous expulsion of a symptomatic ureteral stone in a reasonably brief period of time and to identify whether certain parameters such as sex, age, the location and dimension of the stone, the presence of dilation in the urinary tract together with the administered therapy, can be used for a correct clinical management of the patient. Methods: In a period of 9 months, 486 cases of renal colic were registered at emergency department. Results: The cases of renal colic due to ureteral calculus were 188 (38.7%). The patients’ charts, complete of all data and therefore, valid for this research, resulted to be 120 (64%). In the presence of a symptomatic ureteral stone, the correct approach must first of all, focalize on the dimension of the calculus itself; less importance instead, is given to the location, as reported in other studies, the presence of hydroureteronephrosis, sex and the side. Conclusion: In the cases when the pain symptoms cannot be solved by means of the administration of analgesics, it is then reasonable to take into consideration an immediate endourological treatment. If the pain symptoms are promptly solved, an attentive wait of 4 weeks should be considered reasonable in order to allow spontaneous expulsion of the calculus.

Download Full-text