Radiology

Radiology is the fastest developing field of medicine and these unprecedented advances have been mainly due to improving computer technology. Digital imaging is a technology whereby images are acquired in a computer format, so that they can be easily stored and recalled for display on any computer workstation. Digital image acquisition has been used in ultrasound, computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) from the start. The use of digital imaging in conventional X-rays, known as Computed Radiography, has only recently become possible. Supercomputers now provide the speed required to rapidly process digital image data, while terabyte level storage media allow digital archiving of both radiological images and data. Ultrasound, CT and MRI have also improved immensely as a result of faster computing, which allows shorter exam times, higher image resolution with improved quality and new exam techniques including large field and realtime imaging, noninvasive angiography and dynamic motion studies. Other recent advances in radiology include new contrast agents, Positron Emission Tomography (PET) scanning and novel interventional techniques.peer-reviewe

Radiology education in Europe: Analysis of results from 22 European countries.

AimTo assess the state of radiology education across Europe by means of a survey study.MethodsA comprehensive 23-item radiology survey was distributed via email to the International Society of Radiology members, national radiological societies, radiologists and medical physicists. Reminders to complete the survey were sent and the results were analyzed over a period of 4 mo (January-April 2016). Survey questions include length of medical school and residency training; availability of fellowship and subspecialty training; number of residency programs in each country; accreditation pathways; research training; and medical physics education. Descriptive statistics were used to analyze and summarize data.ResultsRadiology residency training ranges from 2-6 years with a median of 5 years, and follows 1 year of internship training in 55% (12 out of 22) European countries. Subspecialty fellowship training is offered in 55% (12 out of 22) European countries. Availability for specialization training by national societies is limited to eight countries. For nearly all respondents, less than fifty percent of radiologists travel abroad for specialization. Nine of 22 (41%) European countries have research requirements during residency. The types of certifying exam show variation where 64% (14 out of 22) European countries require both written and oral boards, 23% (5 out of 22) require oral examinations only, and 5% (1 out of 22) require written examinations only. A degree in medical physics is offered in 59% (13 out of 22) European countries and is predominantly taught by medical physicists. Nearly all respondents report that formal examinations in medical physics are required.ConclusionComparative learning experiences across the continent will help guide the development of comprehensive yet pragmatic infrastructures for radiology education and collaborations in radiology education worldwide

Assessment of humoral immunity in workers occupationally exposed to low levels of ionizing radiation

Background: The aim of this study was investigating the effect of low levels of ionizing radiation on immunoglobulin, complement levels in radiology workers occupationally exposed to ionizing radiation. Materials and Methods: The present study was conducted in the Department of immunology, college of medicine, Tabriz University of medical sciences, Iran. during the year of 2006-2007. Blood samples were taken from 45 radiology staff and from 35 subjects who had never been exposed to radiation. Samples were analyzed for immunoglobulin, complement levels. Results: Serum total IgA, IgM, c3, c4 levels were as significantly lower in the radiology workers exposed to ionizing radiation compared to the controls (p<0.05). A significant difference was observed in IgA, IgM levels and age in radiology workers (p<0.05). A statistical significant difference between IgA, IgM and c3 and working period was found in this study. Conclusion: The present study suggests that exposure to low levels of ionizing radiation causes decreased IgA, IgM, c3, c4 levels in radiology workers. Further studies are needed for determining the appropriateness of periodic check-ups of immune functions for detecting early changes in the immune system

Intelligent Word Embeddings of Free-Text Radiology Reports

Radiology reports are a rich resource for advancing deep learning applications in medicine by leveraging the large volume of data continuously being updated, integrated, and shared. However, there are significant challenges as well, largely due to the ambiguity and subtlety of natural language. We propose a hybrid strategy that combines semantic-dictionary mapping and word2vec modeling for creating dense vector embeddings of free-text radiology reports. Our method leverages the benefits of both semantic-dictionary mapping as well as unsupervised learning. Using the vector representation, we automatically classify the radiology reports into three classes denoting confidence in the diagnosis of intracranial hemorrhage by the interpreting radiologist. We performed experiments with varying hyperparameter settings of the word embeddings and a range of different classifiers. Best performance achieved was a weighted precision of 88% and weighted recall of 90%. Our work offers the potential to leverage unstructured electronic health record data by allowing direct analysis of narrative clinical notes.Comment: AMIA Annual Symposium 201

Radiology at the University of Pennsylvania, 1890-1975

Shortly after he became Chairman of the Department of Radiology in July, 1975, Stanley Baum expressed interest in a departmental history to Francis James Dallett, Archivist of the University of Pennsylvania. Mr. Dallett passed that information on to me, and I began my research in December of that year. Dr. Baum\u27s enthusiasm for the project and the willingness of current and former staff members to speak with me made the work possible. Eugene P. Pendergrass, M.D., was especially cooperative in answering my questions and passing along materials from his files. Their encouragement, plus that of Robert M. Stein, Associate Dean of the School of Medicine, then Department Administrator, permitted me to investigate the department\u27s history at length. I presented two lectures to the department\u27s staff on my research: The Department before World War I on May 27, 1976, and The Pendergrass Era on September 22, 1976. A first draft of the manuscript covering the period through Dr. Pendergrass\u27s chairmanship was completed in the fall of 1976, but it has taken me until now to revise and complete the work. My full-time position as an Assistant Curator at Independence National Historical Park has kept me busy, and I would not have been able to complete the project yet, were it not for the professional support and understanding of my supervisor, John C. Milley, Chief, Division of Museum Operations