Search

Background and Objectives: Computed tomography of the kidneys, ureters, and bladder (CT KUB) is essential for evaluating urinary stones but also exposes patients to significant radiation. The scanning field should be minimized to only the necessary area to limit this radiation exposure. This study aims to assess the extent of CT KUB overscanning in renal colic procedures and identify the appropriate vertebral level for starting CT KUB scans. Materials and Methods: A retrospective analysis of 299 adult patients who underwent CT KUB examinations for kidney stone assessment was performed. To assess overscanning, the number of excess slices above the pole of the highest kidney and under the pubic symphysis was measured on the axial image of each patient. To allow for potential human error, a maximum acceptable level of overscanning was set at 10%. Results: This study found that only 31% of the scans met the target of less than 10% of overscanning superior to the highest kidney and inferior to the pubic symphysis. In comparison, overscanning was present in 69% of the scans, mainly at a superior level, resulting in higher radiation exposure for patients. Conclusions: A significant number of the scans exhibited unnecessary overscanning beyond the highest kidney, prompting us to propose using the upper border of the T10 vertebral body as a potential reference point to establish the upper margin for a CT KUB scan. This study suggests using T10 and the pubic symphysis as reliable landmarks to accurately determine the scan length. Starting CT KUB scans from the T10 vertebral body to the pubic symphysis allows for imaging of the entire urinary tract, minimizing unnecessary overscanning and reducing patient irradiation.

Background and Objectives: The increasing use of whole-body computed tomography (WBCT) examinations, also known as panCT, in emergency departments for trauma patients has raised concerns about potential overuse and the associated risk of unnecessary radiation exposure. The purpose of this study was to examine the utilization patterns and findings of panCT scans performed over one year at a major academic hospital. Materials and Methods: This retrospective cohort study included 531 stable trauma adult patients who underwent panCT scans in 2023. De-identified data for each patient, including the radiology report, age, gender, and total dose-length product (DLP) of the panCT scan, were retrieved and reviewed. Radiology reports were classified based on the findings as negative (no acute traumatic injuries) or positive, with positive reports further subclassified based on injury location. Injury severity scores (ISS) were also calculated based on the findings of the radiology reports. Statistical analysis was performed using the Python programming language to assess any association between the independent variables (age and gender) and the dependent variable (report findings: negative or positive). Results: About 57% (n = 303) of the panCT scans included in the analysis were negative. The chi-squared test and logistic regression revealed a significant association between age and report finding (negative or positive), while no association with gender was found. One-third of positive cases (n = 72) had injuries only in the head and neck (H&N) region, and another one-third (n = 72) had injuries only in chest-abdomen-pelvis (CAP) region. Most cases (n = 373; 70%) had an ISS between 1 and 8, which is a mild score. Conclusions: This study showed a high rate of negative panCT scans, suggesting potential overuse of panCT. The study results highlight the need for more selective CT imaging approaches in emergency settings. Following evidence-based guidelines and decision-support tools could promote appropriate utilization of panCT scans, reducing unnecessary radiation exposure while ensuring that high-risk patients in emergency setting receive appropriate imaging.

Objectives: Diagnostic reference levels (DRLs) are crucial tools for optimizing radiation exposure during different radiological examinations. This study aimed to establish preliminary DRLs for commonly performed computed tomographic angiography (CTA) examinations in Saudi Arabia. Methods: Data for three types of CTA examinations (cerebral, pulmonary, and lower-extremity) were collected from six medical cities across Saudi Arabia. Data sets related to 723 CTAs with a mean patient weight of 75 kg were analysed in detail. The DRL values were determined based on the 75th, median, and 25th CT dose index volume (CTDIvol) and dose length product (DLP) values. Results: The established DRLs were 1221 mGy cm for cerebral CTAs, 475 mGy cm for pulmonary CTAs, and 1040 mGy cm for lower-extremity CTAs. These values were comparable to those reported in other studies. Conclusions: This study provides preliminary DRLs for three common CTA procedures in Saudi Arabia. The widespread implementation of a low kVp and a high level of image reconstruction (IR) presents an opportunity for further dose reduction. These findings can serve as a foundation for future nationwide DRL surveys and the optimization of CTA imaging protocols in Saudi Arabia.

Objectives We conducted this study to review our experience performing electrocardiography-guided peripherally inserted central catheter insertion in patients with atrial fibrillation. Materials and Methods This is a retrospective study of PICC insertions performed by interventional radiology technologists using electrocardiogram guidance in patients with atrial fibrillation. The study included 99 PICCs inserted using electrocardiography guidance in 79 patients diagnosed with atrial fibrillation. Chest X-ray is used to confirm tip position. Results We reviewed all PICCs inserted in patients with atrial fibrillation using electrocardiography guidance between September 2017 and June 2022. The review process included success and malposition rates using X-ray correlation. Ninety-four out of 99 PICCs were successfully inserted, and 5 cases required repositioning. Conclusion Our study suggests that electrocardiography navigation can be safely used for PICC insertion in patients with atrial fibrillation with high success rate.

Background. COVID-19, a new viral disease caused by Corona Virus (SARS-CoV-2) was reported first by Chinese. WHO declared it a pandemic in March 2020. We saw a huge number of this illness that caused a stress on health care systems and a high proportion of mortality. World Health Organization declared it as a pandemic in March 2020. We planned this study with the objective of knowing clinical presentation, hospital management and final outcome of COVID-19 in our population and compare it with other institution who studied the disease elsewhere. Materials and methods. A retrospective study on COVID-19 patients with severe to critical illness was conducted in King Saud Medical City Riyadh. Proper permission was issued by ethical committee of King Saud Medical City. Data was collected manually as well from electronic records. Data was analyzed using standard statistical methods. A total of 689 patients that were admitted to KSMC from 1st March 2020 to 30th of June 2020. Results. More than 50 % of our patients were from Indian subcontinent (India, Pakistan and Bangladesh). Our mean age was 50 years. Females comprised 17.3 % of our patients. Common presentation was breathlessness (79 %), cough (70 %) and fever (67 %). Mean oxygen saturation on presentation was 92 %. Around sixty one percent of our patients were critical and were treated in intensive care unit. Mortality was 35 % and multi-organ failure 25 %. Although diabetes mellitus (37.3 %) and hypertension (29.5 %) were common comorbidities but it did not increase the mortality in our patients. Our mortality seems to be related to late reporting to hospital and severe disease itself. Conclusions. A retrospective study conducted at King Saud Medical city on 689 patients of severe and critical COVID-19. A high proportion were admitted to intensive care unit (60.8 %), 41 % needed invasive ventilation and 29 % required vasopressors and 14 % needed hemodialysis. Mortality of 35 % was recorded in our study. People of Indian subcontinent (Pakistani, Bangladeshi and Indians) formed more than 50 % of patients.

Researchers across the world are examining the educational value and effectiveness of integrating the latest electronic gadgets with teaching-learning activities in the classroom. In spite of the availability of latest electronic gadgets like iPods, tablets, and smartwatches, researchers are more interested in the educational value of the mobile phones for the teaching-learning of English. In a technologically advanced country like Saudi Arabia, the third and fourth generation (3G, 4G) mobile devices are available at affordable prices, and people of all streams find it necessary to own a mobile phone for connecting with their friends and relatives. Moreover, it has become a common trend among undergraduates to carry a mobile phone to the classroom as well. The present study examines the impact of mobile phones on students' English language learning. A field study was conducted on fifty-two undergraduate male students majoring in English language and literature at Aljouf University, Saudi Arabia. The methodology of data collection included a self-report for students and a teacher questionnaire. Findings of the study are significant for EFL teachers and researchers for introducing innovative methods and resourceful materials for the English classroom. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]