Objectives: To compare use of ultra-fast high-pitch dual-source free-breathing computed tomography pulmonary angiogram (CTPA) with conventional standard-pitch single-source breath-hold CTPA. Methods: This retrospective comparative study was conducted in Radiology Department at King Fahad Military Medical Complex Dhahran, Saudi Arabia from July 2016 to December 2017. Patients (N=130) were divided into 2 groups, each having 65 consecutive patients; Group-1 (single-source CT) and Group-2 (dual-source CT). Previously treated pulmonary embolism cases, pregnant patients and those with incomplete data were excluded. Image quality was subjectively assessed by 2 readers for adequacy of contrast opacification and pulmonary vessel outline, and presence of artifacts (breathing motion, cardiac pulsation, and contrast related). Scan acquisition times and radiation doses were also compared. Chi-square and t-test were used to determine association. Results: Improved image quality (optimal studies without artifacts 91%) was seen in Group-2 compared to Group-1 (optimal studies without artifacts 75.4%). Also, reduced scan time (1-2 sec.) and radiation dose (mean dose length product (DLP)-248 mGy-cm) were observed in Group-2 compared to Group-1 (scan time- 6.5 sec, mean DLP-375). Results were found significant ( p <0.05). Conclusion: High-pitch dual-source CT with free-breathing yields better image quality, reduces image acquisition time and radiation doses.
BACKGROUND: Breast cancer is the most common cancer in females worldwide. Screening with mammography for early breast cancer detection is standard community practice in many countries.OBJECTIVE: Identify causes of missed breast cancers during screening.DESIGN: Retrospective, observational.SETTING: Department of radiology at a tertiary-care hospital mammographic screening facility.PATIENTS AND METHODS: All women who came with initial negative screens from July 2015 to July 2018 were retrospectively reviewed and followed-up for their second or subsequent mammographic screening. Missed breast cancer was defined as a cancer that was detected on a subsequent mammogram with an initial negative screen. Mammograms were interpreted by two radiologists as per BIRADS (Breast Imaging Reporting and Data System) lexicon. Causes of missed breast cancers were categorized as imaging acquisition (IA), imaging feature (IF) and imaging interpretation (II). True (occult) incident breast cancers were also documented. Percentage estimations for these causes were calculated.MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Breast cancer detection on follow-up screening.SAMPLE SIZE: 943 women.RESULTS: Of 15 (1.6%) screening-detected breast cancers, 7 cases (46.6%) were missed on the initial screen; 3 (43%) of these were II related, 2 (28.5%) of each were IA and IF. The remaining true (occult) cases were detected on either the second (5 cases) or third screens (3 cases).CONCLUSION: Improved screening facilities, quality mammographic acquisition and interpretation, double reading, and implementation of an organized screening program may help to avoid missed breast cancers.LIMITATIONS: Retrospective, small sample, single center, and short duration study.CONFLICT OF INTEREST: None.
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