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Objective: To evaluate the effects on efficiency and patient care of the addition of physician assistants (PAs) and NPs to the abdominal radiology consult service., Methods: We obtained radiologist productivity and patient care metrics for 3 months before and 3 months after the integration of PAs and NPs into our consult service., Results: Integrating PAs and NPs into the workflow led to a significant increase in mean RVUs/shift (15.2 ± 0.9 versus 6.2 ± 1.8; P = .02), number of studies read per shift (10.1 ± 0.5 versus 4.4 ± 1.5; P = .003), revenue per shift hour ($756.20 ± $55.40 versus $335.40 ± $132.60; P = .007), protocol prescription to patient appointment lead time (39.3 ± 6.7 versus 16.3 ± 2.9 days; P = .005), and significant decreases in mean CT (19.3% ± 0.6 versus 3.3% ± 0.6; P = .001) and MRI (11.7% ± 0.6 versus 8.3% ± 0.12; P = .011) same-day protocol changes as patient appointments., Conclusions: PAs and NPs can be effectively integrated into abdominal radiology consult service, increasing the productivity of radiologists, and enhancing clinical care., (Copyright © 2022 American Academy of Physician Associates.)

Significant advances in ultrasound technology have created new opportunities for its use in oncologic imaging. The advent of new transducers with focal beam technology and higher frequency has solidified the role of intraoperative sonography (IOUS) as an invaluable imaging modality in oncologic surgery of the liver, kidneys and pancreas. The ability to detect and characterize small lesions and the precise intraoperative localization of such tumors is essential for adequate surgical planning in segmental or lobar hepatic resections, metastasectomy, nephron-sparing surgery, and partial pancreatectomy. Also, diagnostic characterization of small equivocal lesions deemed indeterminate by conventional preoperative imaging such as multidetector computed tomography or magnetic resonance imaging, has become an important application of IOUS. This article will review the current applications of IOUS in the liver, kidneys and pancreas.

Cystic lesions in a variety of organs are being increasingly recognized as an incidental finding on cross-sectional imaging. These lesions can be benign, premalignant or malignant. When these cystic lesions are small it can be difficult to characterize them radiologically. However, with appropriate clinical history and knowledge of typical imaging features of cystic pancreatic lesions this can enable accurate diagnosis and thus guide appropriate treatment. In this review, we provide an overview of the most common types of cystic lesions and their appearance on computer tomography, magnetic resonance imaging and ultrasound. We will also discuss the follow up and management strategies of these cystic lesions.