Skin marker placement by technologist prior to knee MRI helps identify clinically relevant pathologies

Human Cadaveric Model for Vessel Preparation Device Testing in Calcified Tibial Arteries

To describe an ex vivo model for vessel preparation device testing in tibial arteries. We performed orbital atherectomy (OA), intravascular lithotripsy (IVL), and plain balloon angioplasty (POBA) on human amputated limbs with evidence of concentric tibial artery calcification. The arterial segments were then harvested for ex vivo processing which included imaging with microCT, decalcification, and histology. The model was tested out in 15 limbs and was successful in 14 but had to be aborted in 1/15 case due to inability to achieve wire access. A total of 22 lesions were treated with OA on 3/22 lesions, IVL on 8/22, and POBA without vessel preparation on the remaining 11/22. Luminal gain was assessed with intravascular ultrasound and histology was able to demonstrate plaque disruption, dissections, and cracks within the calcified lesions. A human cadaveric model using amputated limbs is a feasible, high-fidelity option for evaluating the performance of vessel preparation devices in calcified tibial arteries.

The Role of Clinical History Collected by Diagnostic Imaging Staff in Interpreting of Imaging Examinations

BACKGROUND

Requisitions for diagnostic imaging (DI) studies may occasionally contain incomplete, or lack any, clinical information. The value of technologist notes, provided in addition to the requisitions, for interpreting DI examinations has not yet been reported. The purpose of this study is to evaluate if the addition of clinical information in the form of technologist notes assists in interpreting DI examinations and if the impact of these notes depends on the completeness of medical history provided by the referring physician.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The completeness of clinical information in 250 requisitions and the effect of a technologist's notes on radiological interpretation were recorded. The chi-square test was used to evaluate the distribution of outcomes.

RESULTS

Technologist notes were important for interpreting a DI examinations in 69.2% of cases and not important in 30.8%. The notes were significantly more useful for reading radiographic examinations than ultrasound (US) examinations; 52.8% of the requisitions contained full, 25.6% incomplete, and 21.6% did not contain any medical history. Requisitions for ultrasound examinations contained a full medical history more frequently than those for radiographic examinations. The usefulness of technologist notes for both radiographic and US examinations was not different for groups with full, incomplete, or absent medical history.

CONCLUSION

Technologist notes were important for interpreting DI examinations in more than 2/3 of the cases and were more useful for reading of radiographic than US examinations. Their usefulness did not depend on the degree of completeness of patient history provided in the requisition. Therefore, the addition of technologist notes to clinical information in requisitions is recommended, regardless of medical history provided by the referring physician.