Focal Spot, Winter 2005/2006

https://digitalcommons.wustl.edu/focal_spot_archives/1101/thumbnail.jp

Selected Topics on Computed Tomography

This book is a research publication that covers developments within the Diagnostics field of study. The book is a collection of reviewed scholarly contributions written by different authors and edited by an expert with specific expertise. Each scholarly contribution represents a chapter which is complete in itself but related to the major topics and objectives. The target audience comprises scholars and specialists in the field

Curriculum guide to teach computed radiography at El Camino College

The purpose of the project was to design a curriculum guideline for educators to teach computed radiography. This project can be used as a stand-alone course, or integrated into existing radiologic technology courses

The effect of the introduction of picture archive and communication systems (PACS) on patient radiation doses and patient management

This thesis was submitted for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy and awarded by Brunel University, 20/12/2000.This thesis considers the effects of Picture Archive and Communications Systems (PACS), on both patient radiation doses and patient management. PACS is a relatively new technology which acquires, transmits, and stores radiological images digitally. This thesis investigates the doses which are required to produce radiographic images which are acceptable to radiologists and referring clinicians, and compares these doses with those required for the film/screen systems which they are replacing. A review of the literature shows that despite claims of dose reductions, very little good evidence exists about dose changes with the introduction of PACS. A comparison of images of test objects indicates that the images are comparable under limited conditions, that PACS has a much wider latitude than film (>250 mAs), and that contrast detail improves with increase in exposure. Two original observational studies are described in which PACS and film doses are compared for examinations of two groups of adult patients. The results indicate that the doses for PACS equate to those used with a 300 speed film/screen system thus necessitating dose increases of around 30% for the majority of adult patients in the UK. The issue of whether the number of images which are repeated, with additional patient doses, due to unsatisfactory images (rejected images), or unavailability of the images when clinically required (lost images), is addressed and indicates that PACS may allow a dose saving of 1.1 % and 1.4% respectively. The overall result of these studies indicates that the widespread introduction of PACS is likely to increase population doses. Two original studies which consider patients within the Accident and Emergency department are described. These studies aim to produce evidence to justify the introduction of the new technology, despite higher radiation doses, by identifying improvements in patient management which might improve patient outcomes. The results of these studies provide little evidence of such benefits to patients. This thesis concludes that the use of current PAC systems produces an increase in the radiation dose to the adult population in the UK, without demonstrable improvements in patient management

Focal Spot, Spring 1990

https://digitalcommons.wustl.edu/focal_spot_archives/1054/thumbnail.jp

The Empirical Foundations of Teleradiology and Related Applications: A Review of the Evidence

Introduction: Radiology was founded on a technological discovery by Wilhelm Roentgen in 1895. Teleradiology also had its roots in technology dating back to 1947 with the successful transmission of radiographic images through telephone lines. Diagnostic radiology has become the eye of medicine in terms of diagnosing and treating injury and disease. This article documents the empirical foundations of teleradiology. Methods: A selective review of the credible literature during the past decade (2005?2015) was conducted, using robust research design and adequate sample size as criteria for inclusion. Findings: The evidence regarding feasibility of teleradiology and related information technology applications has been well documented for several decades. The majority of studies focused on intermediate outcomes, as indicated by comparability between teleradiology and conventional radiology. A consistent trend of concordance between the two modalities was observed in terms of diagnostic accuracy and reliability. Additional benefits include reductions in patient transfer, rehospitalization, and length of stay.Peer Reviewedhttps://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/140295/1/tmj.2016.0149.pd

The performance of pain: the consequences for the performing body and its portrayal of mental health

In 2001 the performance artist Kira O’Reilly wrote an article for A-N magazine1 that reflected on the institutional anxieties provoked by ‘Wet Cup’ a performance that includes the cutting and suctioning of her flesh through ‘cupping’ to draw blood. The art institution, despite inviting O’Reilly to perform the work, demonstrated their fears at showing ‘risky’ work through a process which aimed to sanction the ‘health’ of the artwork and subsequently its reflections on the artist herself. They asked O’Reilly to respond to various health and safety demands to account for her mental state and bodily health to prove that she was ‘safe’ to perform2. In asking her to conform to their demands they were making both internal and public assurances that the work was art and not the product of catharsis or breakdown. The institutional unease that O’Reilly could be acting out a psychiatric or psychological disorder through ‘Wet Cup’ demonstrated the sense of mistrust the performing body can instill. Kira O’Reilly’s experience follows a tradition within performance art that inflicts physical pain or suffering. In situating the physical or psychological transgressive within easy and ‘live’ grasp this type of practice presents the performing body as a confrontation to be negotiated. Indeed, when an artist chooses to cut or open their body or remove it from social interaction, their motives are scrutinized for deviance, distress and sanity. Are they mad, eccentric or just responding to questions that ask what it is to be observed and physical creative objects? This paper will analyse the consequences of making performance from physical acts of pain and how this can be understood as sane regarding institutional and public risk. It will reflect on the trauma, stigma and perceptive danger involved with making performance work that includes cutting, or isolating the body from more regular, everyday activity. The paper will reflect on the consequences for the artist, and perceptions of their health both in, and beyond the gallery. The year long works by Tehching Hsieh and the exploration of physical and mental limits through performance by Marina Abramović with be examined along with O’Reilly

A systematic review of viewing conditions and monitor specifications in mammography

Objectives The purpose of this systematic review was to establish the current status of recommended monitor specifications and viewing conditions in mammography for image acquisition and reporting rooms. A literature search was completed between August 2018 and March 2019 using ScienceDirect, PubMed, Web of Science and MEDLINE databases. An additional manual search was performed to identify relevant guidelines to support the review. Only articles and guidelines written in English were included. Key findings Results were selected according to the following criteria; articles detailing (i) monitor specification and, (ii) viewing conditions in mammography acquisition and reporting rooms. Twenty-one studies met the inclusion criteria. Six papers described monitor specifications, five described viewing conditions and ten guideline documents were identified from the UK, Europe and the US. Common outcomes were that monitors with 3 or 5 MP resolution seemed to be preferred and at the same time higher illumination levels (>15 lux) were found to decrease the luminance of the monitors and negatively impact the assessment of image quality. Contrary to this, the majority of guideline documents recommended illumination levels above 20 Lux. Finally, there is a lack of guidance for viewing conditions in acquisition rooms. Conclusion This review did not reveal any strong evidence for the proposed room illumination levels in acquisition rooms. In reference to monitors specifications, there is preference for using higher resolution displays (3 and 5 MP) but again, the evidence is not strong. Moreover, variance exists in the guidelines and that promotes inconsistency in mammography departments. Implications for practice This review highlights the lack of standardised guidelines and the need for further research on the viewing conditions and monitor specifications for the acquisition rooms in mammography