Added Value of Multiplanar Reformations to Axial Multi-Detector Row Computed Tomographic Images for the Differentiation of Macrocystic Pancreas Neoplasms: Receiver Operating Characteristic Analysis

Evidence-based anatomical review areas derived from systematic analysis of cases from a radiological departmental discrepancy meeting

AIM

To produce short checklists of specific anatomical review sites for different regions of the body based on the frequency of radiological errors reviewed at radiology discrepancy meetings, thereby creating "evidence-based" review areas for radiology reporting.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A single centre discrepancy database was retrospectively reviewed from a 5-year period. All errors were classified by type, modality, body system, and specific anatomical location. Errors were assigned to one of four body regions: chest, abdominopelvic, central nervous system (CNS), and musculoskeletal (MSK). Frequencies of errors in anatomical locations were then analysed.

RESULTS

There were 561 errors in 477 examinations; 290 (46%) errors occurred in the abdomen/pelvis, 99 (15.7%) in the chest, 117 (18.5%) in the CNS, and 125 (19.9%) in the MSK system. In each body system, the five most common location were chest: lung bases on computed tomography (CT), apices on radiography, pulmonary vasculature, bones, and mediastinum; abdominopelvic: vasculature, colon, kidneys, liver, and pancreas; CNS: intracranial vasculature, peripheral cerebral grey matter, bone, parafalcine, and the frontotemporal lobes surrounding the Sylvian fissure; and MSK: calvarium, sacrum, pelvis, chest, and spine.

CONCLUSION

The five listed locations accounted for >50% of all perceptual errors suggesting an avenue for focused review at the end of reporting.

Value of near-isovoxel ultrasound for evaluation of ductal communications with pancreatic cystic lesions: correlation with magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography

The aim of this study was to determine the value of near-isovoxel ultrasound (ISUS) using xMATRIX technology in assessment of ductal communications with pancreatic cystic lesions. Twenty patients with pancreatic cystic lesions (n = 21) on magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography (MRCP), underwent 2-D ultrasound (US) and subsequent ISUS using a matrix probe. Two observers assessed the presence of ductal communications with pancreatic cystic lesions for all MRCP, 2-D US, and ISUS images with multi-planar reformation, using a 5-point confidence scale. Weighted-κ statistics and intra-class correlation coefficients were calculated. Inter-observer agreement for MRCP, 2-D US and ISUS was moderate, fair and moderate (0.475, 0.222 and 0.472), respectively. The intra-class correlation coefficients between ISUS and MRCP was higher than that between 2-D US and MRCP (0.8706 vs. 0.5353, observer 1; 0.7206 vs. 0.4818, observer 2, respectively). Correlation and inter-observer agreement were better with MRCP than with 2-D US. We conclude that ISUS may be useful in evaluating ductal communications with pancreatic cystic lesions.

MDCT evaluation of the pancreas: nuts and bolts

Multidetector-row CT (MDCT) imaging of the pancreas has important roles in diagnosis, staging, and treatment monitoring of a vast array of pancreatic diseases. Optimizing MDCT protocols not only requires an understanding of expected pathologies but also must take into account cumulative radiation dose considerations.

Imaging IPMN: take home messages and news

IPMN is a frequent disease involving pancreatic duct. This disease could be malignant (parenchymal invasive adenocarcinoma), particularly if the main pancreatic duct is involved (this involvement is considered present if > 6 mm), if this enlargement reaches 10 mm or more, and if the pathological phenotype is biliopancreatic or intestinal (malignancy is less frequent if gastric one). Invasiveness is suspected if hypodense parenchymal lesion is present, particularly near a cystical lesion or MPD, a mural nodule of the wall, or if MPD wall has got a contrast uptake. Mural nodules inside cystic branch duct are associated with in situ grade 3 malignancies. MPD IPMN must be resected to prevent malignancy. The follow-up of isolated branch duct cysts relies upon MDCT and MRI, every two years if lesion is less than 1cm. Every one year if bigger, particularly if more than to 3 cm.