Evaluation of genitourinary fistulas in pelvic malignancies with etiopathologic correlation: role of cross sectional imaging in detection and management

The Use of Magnetic Resonance Imaging in Radiation Therapy Treatment Simulation and Planning

Ever since its introduction as a diagnostic imaging tool the potential of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in radiation therapy (RT) treatment simulation and planning has been recognized. Recent technical advances have addressed many of the impediments to use of this technology and as a result have resulted in rapid and growing adoption of MRI in RT. The purpose of this article is to provide a broad review of the multiple uses of MR in the RT treatment simulation and planning process, identify several of the most used clinical scenarios in which MR is integral to the simulation and planning process, highlight existing limitations and provide multiple unmet needs thereby highlighting opportunities for the diagnostic MR imaging community to contribute and collaborate with our oncology colleagues. EVIDENCE LEVEL: 5 TECHNICAL EFFICACY: Stage 5.

Synchronous radiation-induced enterovesical and enterocervical fistulas in carcinoma of the uterine cervix

Radiation-induced fistulas (RIF) are uncommon therapeutic complications of radiotherapy in patients treated for carcinoma of the uterine cervix. Synchronous occurrence of enterocervical and enterovesical fistulas secondary to radiation is extremely rare and previously unreported in the literature. We report a case of synchronous enterovesical and enterocervical fistulas in a patient with carcinoma of the cervix treated using chemotherapy and radiation along with a brief overview of etiopathogenesis of RIF.

A pictorial review of genitourinary infections and inflammations

Various infectious and inflammatory diseases affect the genitourinary system. This paper provides a review of multiple common and uncommon infectious and inflammatory conditions affecting the genitourinary system and some associated complications. These include acute infectious cystitis, emphysematous cystitis, acute pyelonephritis, emphysematous pyelonephritis, renal and perinephric abscesses, pyonephrosis, xanthogranulomatous pyelonephritis, epididymo-orchitis, vasitis, prostatitis, pelvic inflammatory disease, renal hydatid infection, renal tuberculosis, actinomycosis, Erdheim-Chester Disease, IgG4-Related Kidney Disease, urethritis and urethral strictures, ureteritis cystica, and genitourinary fistulas. Radiologists should be aware of these diseases' complications and management. Uncommon conditions must be considered when evaluating the genitourinary system.

Computed tomography technologist notes in PACS to radiologists: what are they telling us and how does it increase value?

PURPOSE

In the clinical workflow of radiology services, a critical connection exists between technologists and radiologists, yet there is often limited communication between this key link in the chain of patient imaging. Our aim was to quantify and detail the communication between CT technologists and radiologists in our tertiary oncology practice.

METHODS

Using the note function in our EMR, as standard operating procedure, CT technologists are instructed to place pertinent notes for the radiologist relevant to any portion of the patient encounter. Note categories pertain to quality and/or safety: patient limitations (e.g., patient unable to raise arm), protocol confirmation (e.g., rectal contrast given), critical finding communication, scan range considerations, IV issues, reduction in eGFR, oral contrast issues, allergy information, general feedback, equipment malfunction, and radiologist approval information. The percentage of notes within each category were recorded upon review of contiguous abdominal CT scans in July 2018 with the primary outcome measure of overall note volume compared to baseline in July 2016 after which time technologists were educated on the importance of notes and were requested to increase use of this tool. Notes were regularly reviewed to identify practice improvement opportunities.

RESULTS

Compared to baseline 2 years earlier (8860 CT scans, 812 technologist notes), there was a 32% increase in technologist note volume (10,948 CT scans, 1330 technologist notes), representing an increase of notes from 9.2% of exams to 12.1% of exams (p < .001) and there were 14 related practice improvements.

CONCLUSION

After communicating the importance of CT technologist notes and requesting increased notation frequency, technologist note volume significantly increased and 14 specific case examples of related practice improvement demonstrate the electronic medical record note function to be a robust tool in the management of patient imaging.

Ultrasound in the Diagnosis of Malignant Pelvic Fistulas: Sonographic Findings in Correlation with Computed Tomography Imaging

Even though ultrasound is an extensively used imaging modality, it has not been effectively utilized in the evaluation and diagnosis of malignant pelvic fistulas. In this study, we tried to correlate the accuracy of sonographic findings in identifying malignant fistulas with that of computed tomography (CT) imaging. Thirty-five patients with advanced pelvic malignancies were examined over a period of 2 y. Patients underwent CT of the abdomen and pelvis with intravenous and oral/rectal contrast followed by ultrasound of the abdomen. Sonographic examinations were performed using a standardized protocol with a full bladder. Real-time ultrasound images of the abdomen and pelvis in multiple planes were acquired and stored as both image files and audio-video interleaves (AVIs). On ultrasound, the majority of the fistulas were visualized either as a continuous hyper-echoic tract within a hypo-echoic neoplastic mass ("air contrast sign") or as multiple discontinuous hyper-echoic foci with "ring down" artifacts. The sensitivity and specificity of ultrasound in the detection of malignant fistulas were 72% (confidence interval [CI]: 52%-87%) and 66% (CI: 22%-95%), respectively. We also reviewed the literature and compared the sensitivities of ultrasound in the detection of various types of pelvic fistulas obtained in previous studies with those in the present study. Results suggest that although ultrasound cannot be used as a primary imaging modality for the detection of fistulas, it can provide the earliest clue to the presence of a malignant fistula.