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Objectives: To evaluate organisational reporting infrastructure and patient-related reporting data in the diagnosis of vertebral fragility fractures (VFFs) as demonstrated on computed tomography (CT).Methods: Organisational and patient-specific questionnaires were developed by consensus between The Royal College of Radiologists, the Royal College of Physicians, and the Royal Osteoporosis Society. The patient-specific component of the audit involved analysis of CT reporting data acquired from 50 consecutive non-traumatic studies including the thoracolumbar spine. Ethical approval for this type of study is not required in the UK. All UK radiology departments with an audit lead (auditor) registered with The Royal College of Radiologists (RCR) were invited to participate in this retrospective audit.Results: In total, 127 out of 202 departments (63%) supplied data to the study, with inclusion of 6357 patients. Overall, 1362/6357 patients (21.4%) had a fracture present on auditor review of the CT imaging. There was a lack of compliance with all audit standards: 79% of reports commented on the vertebrae (target 100%), fracture severity was mentioned in 26.2% (target 100%), the recommended terminology 'vertebral fracture' was used in 60.1% (target 100%), and appropriate onward referral was recommended in 2.6% (target 100%).Conclusions: The findings from this study should be used to provide impetus to improve the diagnosis and care for patients with osteoporotic VFFs. Solutions are multifactorial, but radiologist and local osteoporosis/fracture liaison service engagement is fundamental, combined with necessary development of electronic report notification systems and expansion of supporting fracture services.Key Points: • Early detection and diagnosis of vertebral fragility fractures (VFFs) significantly reduce patient morbidity and mortality. This study describes the results of a retrospective UK-wide audit evaluating current radiology reporting practice in the opportunistic diagnosis of VFFs as demonstrated on computed tomography (CT) studies including the spine. • Key audit standards included comment made on bone integrity in primary report (target 100%), comment made on severity of fractures (90%), report used recommended terminology 'fracture' (100%), and report made appropriate recommendations for referral/further assessment (100%). The audit results demonstrated a lack of compliance with all audit standards; lack of compliance was most marked in the use of recommended terminology (achieved 60.3%), in relation to comment on fracture severity (achieved 26.2%) and for recommendation for referral/further assessment (achieved 2.6%). • Solutions are challenging and multifactorial but the opportunity exists for all radiologists to examine their practice and directly improve patient care. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Joint disease is a commonly encountered clinical problem. Imaging plays a pivotal role not only in the diagnosis and management of joint disease, but also the documentation of the extent, severity and course of the disease. In this article we discuss the imaging modalities used in the evaluation of joint disease and the imaging features of hypertrophic, septic and erosive arthritides. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Hip pain is a common complaint in both children and adolescents. The diagnostic challenge lies not only in the difficulties of history and examination in the paediatric population, and that hip pathology can be referred from other sites, but also that the differentials are broad. Although an accurate history and clinical evaluation are vital in narrowing this wide differential, imaging plays a key role in establishing an accurate diagnosis. The various imaging modalities available, together with the common causes of non-traumatic hip pain within the paediatric population, are reviewed in this article. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Improvements in technology and availability of imaging have contributed to significantly increased utilization of radiological techniques in the patient diagnostic pathway. This article concentrates on the role of imaging in the assessment and diagnosis of patients who present with symptoms or signs related to the kidneys, a common scenario in foundation practice. Imaging strategies are presented in relation to differing clinical presentations, with discussion of the relative strengths and weaknesses of individual modalities. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Key Points: • Importance of appropriate preoperative diagnosis of parotid tumours. • The reasons why FNAC and USCB are the preferred diagnostic method. • USCB as the diagnostic biopsy tool of choice in many institutions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]