1
|
Alius C, Serban D, Tribus LC, Costea DO, Cristea BM, Serboiu C, Motofei I, Dascalu AM, Velescu B, Tudor C, Socea B, Bobirca A, Vancea G, Tanasescu D, Bratu DG. When Not to Operate on Acute Cases-A Surgeon's Perspective on Rapid Assessment of Emergency Abdominopelvic Computed Tomography. J Imaging 2023; 9:200. [PMID: 37888307 PMCID: PMC10607302 DOI: 10.3390/jimaging9100200] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/26/2023] [Revised: 09/21/2023] [Accepted: 09/25/2023] [Indexed: 10/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Clinical problem solving evolves in parallel with advances in technology and discoveries in the medical field. However, it always reverts to basic cognitive processes involved in critical thinking, such as hypothetical-deductive reasoning, pattern recognition, and compilation models. When dealing with cases of acute abdominal pain, clinicians should employ all available tools that allow them to rapidly refine their analysis for a definitive diagnosis. Therefore, we propose a standardized method for the quick assessment of abdominopelvic computed tomography as a supplement to the traditional clinical reasoning process. This narrative review explores the cognitive basis of errors in reading imaging. It explains the practical use of attenuation values, contrast phases, and windowing for non-radiologists and details a multistep protocol for finding radiological cues during CT reading and interpretation. This systematic approach describes the salient features and technical tools needed to ascertain the causality between clinical patterns and abdominopelvic changes visible on CT scans from a surgeon's perspective. It comprises 16 sections that should be read successively and that cover the entire abdominopelvic region. Each section details specific radiological signs and provides clear explanations for targeted searches, as well as anatomical and technical hints. Reliance on imaging in clinical problem solving does not make a decision dichotomous nor does it guarantee success in diagnostic endeavors. However, it contributes exact information for supporting the clinical assessments even in the most subtle and intricate conditions.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Catalin Alius
- Faculty of Medicine, Carol Davila University of Medicine and Pharmacy Bucharest, 020021 Bucharest, Romania; (C.A.); (B.M.C.); (C.S.); (I.M.); (A.M.D.); (C.T.); (B.S.); (A.B.); (G.V.)
- Fourth General Surgery Department, Emergency University Hospital Bucharest, 050098 Bucharest, Romania
| | - Dragos Serban
- Faculty of Medicine, Carol Davila University of Medicine and Pharmacy Bucharest, 020021 Bucharest, Romania; (C.A.); (B.M.C.); (C.S.); (I.M.); (A.M.D.); (C.T.); (B.S.); (A.B.); (G.V.)
- Fourth General Surgery Department, Emergency University Hospital Bucharest, 050098 Bucharest, Romania
| | - Laura Carina Tribus
- Faculty of Dental Medicine, Carol Davila University of Medicine and Pharmacy Bucharest, 020021 Bucharest, Romania
- Department of Internal Medicine, Ilfov Emergency Clinic Hospital Bucharest, 022104 Bucharest, Romania
| | - Daniel Ovidiu Costea
- Faculty of Medicine, Ovidius University Constanta, 900470 Constanta, Romania;
- General Surgery Department, Emergency County Hospital Constanta, 900591 Constanta, Romania
| | - Bogdan Mihai Cristea
- Faculty of Medicine, Carol Davila University of Medicine and Pharmacy Bucharest, 020021 Bucharest, Romania; (C.A.); (B.M.C.); (C.S.); (I.M.); (A.M.D.); (C.T.); (B.S.); (A.B.); (G.V.)
| | - Crenguta Serboiu
- Faculty of Medicine, Carol Davila University of Medicine and Pharmacy Bucharest, 020021 Bucharest, Romania; (C.A.); (B.M.C.); (C.S.); (I.M.); (A.M.D.); (C.T.); (B.S.); (A.B.); (G.V.)
| | - Ion Motofei
- Faculty of Medicine, Carol Davila University of Medicine and Pharmacy Bucharest, 020021 Bucharest, Romania; (C.A.); (B.M.C.); (C.S.); (I.M.); (A.M.D.); (C.T.); (B.S.); (A.B.); (G.V.)
- Department of General Surgery, Emergency Clinic Hospital “Sf. Pantelimon” Bucharest, 021659 Bucharest, Romania
| | - Ana Maria Dascalu
- Faculty of Medicine, Carol Davila University of Medicine and Pharmacy Bucharest, 020021 Bucharest, Romania; (C.A.); (B.M.C.); (C.S.); (I.M.); (A.M.D.); (C.T.); (B.S.); (A.B.); (G.V.)
| | - Bruno Velescu
- Faculty of Pharmacy, Carol Davila University of Medicine and Pharmacy Bucharest, 020021 Bucharest, Romania
| | - Corneliu Tudor
- Faculty of Medicine, Carol Davila University of Medicine and Pharmacy Bucharest, 020021 Bucharest, Romania; (C.A.); (B.M.C.); (C.S.); (I.M.); (A.M.D.); (C.T.); (B.S.); (A.B.); (G.V.)
- Fourth General Surgery Department, Emergency University Hospital Bucharest, 050098 Bucharest, Romania
| | - Bogdan Socea
- Faculty of Medicine, Carol Davila University of Medicine and Pharmacy Bucharest, 020021 Bucharest, Romania; (C.A.); (B.M.C.); (C.S.); (I.M.); (A.M.D.); (C.T.); (B.S.); (A.B.); (G.V.)
- Department of General Surgery, Emergency Clinic Hospital “Sf. Pantelimon” Bucharest, 021659 Bucharest, Romania
| | - Anca Bobirca
- Faculty of Medicine, Carol Davila University of Medicine and Pharmacy Bucharest, 020021 Bucharest, Romania; (C.A.); (B.M.C.); (C.S.); (I.M.); (A.M.D.); (C.T.); (B.S.); (A.B.); (G.V.)
| | - Geta Vancea
- Faculty of Medicine, Carol Davila University of Medicine and Pharmacy Bucharest, 020021 Bucharest, Romania; (C.A.); (B.M.C.); (C.S.); (I.M.); (A.M.D.); (C.T.); (B.S.); (A.B.); (G.V.)
- Clinical Hospital of Infectious and Tropical Diseases “Dr. Victor Babes”, 030303 Bucharest, Romania
| | - Denisa Tanasescu
- Department of Nursing and Dentistry, Faculty of General Medicine, ‘Lucian Blaga’ University of Sibiu, 550169 Sibiu, Romania;
| | - Dan Georgian Bratu
- Faculty of Medicine, University “Lucian Blaga”, 550169 Sibiu, Romania;
- Department of Surgery, Emergency County Hospital Sibiu, 550245 Sibiu, Romania
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Kliewer MA, Bagley AR. How to Read an Abdominal CT: Insights from the Visual and Cognitive Sciences Translated for Clinical Practice. Curr Probl Diagn Radiol 2021; 51:639-647. [PMID: 34583872 DOI: 10.1067/j.cpradiol.2021.07.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/11/2021] [Revised: 07/01/2021] [Accepted: 07/18/2021] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
When first learning abdominal CT studies, residents are often given little concrete, practical direction. There is, however, a large literature from the visual and cognitive sciences that can provide guidance towards search strategies that maximize efficiency and comprehensiveness. This literature has not penetrated radiology teaching to any great extent. In this article, we will examine the current pedagogy (and why that falls short), why untutored search fails, where misses occur in abdomen/pelvis CT, why these misses occur where they do, how expert radiologists search 3d image stacks, and how novices might expedite the acquisition of expertise.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Mark A Kliewer
- Department of Radiology, University of Wisconsin - Madison, Madison, Wisconsin
| | - Anjuli R Bagley
- Radiology, The University of Colorado - Denver, Department of Radiology, Aurora, CO, USA, University of Colorado Hospital (UCH), Aurora, Colorado
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Diurnal variation of major error rates in the interpretation of abdominal/pelvic CT studies. Abdom Radiol (NY) 2021; 46:1746-1751. [PMID: 33040173 DOI: 10.1007/s00261-020-02807-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2020] [Revised: 09/21/2020] [Accepted: 09/30/2020] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Abstract
RATIONALE AND OBJECTIVE Variation of visual selective attention through the day has been demonstrated in several arenas of human performance, including radiology. It is uncertain whether this variation translates to an identifiable diurnal pattern of error rates for radiology interpretation. The purpose of this study was to attempt to identify particular days of the week and times of the day when radiologists might be most prone to error. MATERIALS AND METHODS Abdomen/pelvis CT studies containing at least one major error were collected from a 10-year period from the quality assurance (QA) database at our institution. A major error was defined as a missed finding that had altered management in a way potentially detrimental to the patient. The identified studies were categorized by the day of the week and hour of the day that the study was interpreted. Study volume data over this same period was also obtained by day of the week and time of day, so to normalize the data based on case volume. Standard errors of the volume-adjusted error rates were obtained based on the binomial distribution. The null hypothesis of constant error rates over time was tested using a weighted logistic regression model with linear time as predictor. RESULTS A total of 252 major errors were identified. More errors were made on Monday than on any other day of the week (n = 58). Major error rates increased through the mid to late morning (9 am to 12 pm), and then decreased progressively through the afternoon until 4 pm, when a rise in the error rate was seen. This pattern persisted when error rates were normalized by study volume within each hour. Overall tests of time-constancy of error rates by day and hour were statistically significant (both p-values < 0.001). CONCLUSION Our study shows that error rates in abdominal CT do seem to vary with time of day and day of the week. During the workweek, error rates were highest in the late morning and at the close of the workday, and greater on Mondays than other days.
Collapse
|
4
|
Abstract
Humans are perceptual experts and we are constantly refining how we detect and discriminate objects in the world around us, often without any explicit instruction. But instruction can be helpful and sometimes even necessary. New research highlights the importance of instruction for achieving robust long-term retention of learning to identify complex features in natural images such as those used in radiology.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Aaron R Seitz
- Department of Psychology, University of California Riverside, Riverside, CA 92521, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Interpretive errors in diagnostic imaging result in significant patient morbidity and mortality, but the importance of errors and process failures in the imaging cycle other than during image interpretation is underappreciated. In this article, we describe these errors and potential solutions, providing a framework to improve patient safety and understand the changing roles of radiologists beyond image interpretation. CONCLUSION For comprehensive improvements to health care delivery, other failures in the cycle besides diagnostic interpretive error-such as ordering inappropriate studies, PACS failures, and a lack of accurate clinician contact information (with resultant communication failure)-should be recognized as contributors to patient harm because they lead to wasted resources and delayed care. By taking ownership of the entire imaging cycle, radiologists can increase their net worth to patient care and cement their roles as experts in the effective, evidence-based use of imaging technologies.
Collapse
|