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Incoming radiology residents must rapidly assimilate large amounts of technical, medical, and operational information. This can be overwhelming and contribute to anxiety. Typical introductory curricula focused on radiologic content may not address the concerns of new residents. Two consecutive classes of incoming radiology residents participated in our study. For groups A (n=11) and B (n=11), the existing introductory lectures were given by faculty. For group B, residents hosted sessions for each rotation, including round-table discussions and work area tours, with emphasis on resident roles, personnel, and workflow. With institutional review board exemption, residents were anonymously surveyed before and after the sessions regarding: awareness of responsibilities, familiarity with anatomy, and anxiety regarding each rotation on a 1-4 scale. Free-text comments were collected. Comparison was performed using Wilcoxon rank sum test. Group A reported increased role awareness (P=0.04), greater content familiarity (P

The effect of acquisition geometry in digital breast tomosynthesis was evaluated with studies of contrast-to-noise ratios (CNRs) and observer preference. Contrast-detail (CD) test objects in 5 cm thick phantoms with breast-like backgrounds were imaged. Twelve different angular acquisitions (average glandular dose for each ~1.1 mGy) were performed ranging from narrow angle 16° with 17 projection views (16d17p) to wide angle 64d17p. Focal slices of SART-reconstructed images of the CD arrays were selected for CNR computations and the reader preference study. For the latter, pairs of images obtained with different acquisition geometries were randomized and scored by 7 trained readers. The total scores for all images and readings for each acquisition geometry were compared as were the CNRs. In general, readers preferred images acquired with wide angle as opposed to narrow angle geometries. The mean percent preferred was highly correlated with tomosynthesis angle (R = 0.91). The highest scoring geometries were 60d21p (95%), 64d17p (80%), and 48d17p (72%); the lowest scoring were 16d17p (4%), 24d9p (17%) and 24d13p (33%). The measured CNRs for the various acquisitions showed much overlap but were overall highest for wide-angle acquisitions. Finally, the mean reader scores were well correlated with the mean CNRs (R = 0.83). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The purpose was to compare first-pass and delayed-phase thoracic computed tomography (CT) venography for the evaluation of suspected central thoracic venous pathology. Material and methods: CT images and medical records of all patients who underwent thoracic CT venography over a 5-year period were retrospectively reviewed. Both first-pass (18 s) and delayed-phase (60 s) venous images were obtained in all patients. The images were reviewed in random order by three readers using a semiquantitative visual grading scheme for image quality, including artifacts and the uniformity of venous enhancement. In addition, enhancement was quantitatively evaluated. The presence and type of venous pathology, and overall diagnostic confidence were recorded and compared. Reference verification was performed when available. Results: Eighteen patients formed the study group, mean age 49.5 years and 28% male. Dual-arm injection was successful in 72% of exams. All readers reported more streak artifacts on first-pass imaging than delayed imaging (72%-94% vs. 27%-44%, respectively; Pb.05). First-pass imaging had significantly higher measured enhancement across all central venous segments than delayed imaging (mean HU range 212-906 HU vs. 173-414 HU; Pb.05) but also had significantly more heterogeneous enhancement (mean S.D. range 75-1058 HU vs. 67-378 HU; Pb.05). For overall diagnosis, reader agreement, accuracy, and confidence levels were higher for delayed-phase images (Pb.05). Conclusion: Indirect thoracic CT venography using delayed-phase imaging alone may be sufficient for evaluating clinically suspected central venous abnormality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]