The Actual Role of Iterative Reconstruction Algorithm Methods in Several Saudi Hospitals As A Tool For Radiation Dose Minimization of Ct Scan Examinations

Background

Iterative reconstruction algorithm (IR) techniques were developed to maintain a lower radiation dose for patients as much as possible while achieving the required image quality and medical benefits. The main purpose of the current research was to assess the level and usage extent of IR techniques in computed tomographic (CT) scan exams. Also, the obligation of practitioners in several hospitals in Saudi Arabia to implement IR in CT exams was assessed.

Material and Methodology

The recent research was based on two studies: data collection and a survey study. Data on the CT scan examinations were retrospectively collected from CT scanners. The survey was conducted using a questionnaire to evaluate radiographers’ and radiologists’ perceptions about IR and their practices with IR techniques. The statistical analysis results were performed to measure the usage strength level of IR methods.

Results and Discussions

The IR strength level of 50% was selected for nearly 80% of different CT examinations and patients of different ages and weights. About 46% of the participants had not learned about IR methods during their college studies, and 54% had not received formal training in applying IR techniques. Only 32% of the participants had adequate experience with IR. Half of the participants were not involved in the updating process of the CT protocol.

Conclusion

The results indicate that the majority of radiographer and radiologist at four different hospitals in Saudi Arabia have no explicit or understandable knowledge of selecting IR strength levels during the CT examination of patients. There is a need for more training in IR applications for both radiologists and radiographers. Training sessions were suggested to support radiographers and radiologists to efficiently utilize IR techniques to optimize image quality. Further studies are required to adjust CT exam protocols effectively to utilize the IR technique.

Effects of a physical activity intervention on brain atrophy in older adults at risk of dementia: a randomized controlled trial

Lack of physical activity is a risk factor for dementia, however, the utility of interventional physical activity programs as a protective measure against brain atrophy and cognitive decline is uncertain. Here we present the effect of a randomized controlled trial of a 24-month physical activity intervention on global and regional brain atrophy as characterized by longitudinal voxel-based morphometry with T1-weighted MRI images. The study sample consisted of 98 participants at risk of dementia, with mild cognitive impairment or subjective memory complaints, and having at least one vascular risk factor for dementia, randomized into an exercise group and a control group. Between 0 and 24 months, there was no significant difference detected between groups in the rate of change in global, or regional brain volumes.

Chest Radiological Findings and Clinical Characteristics of Laboratory-Confirmed COVID-19 Patients from Saudi Arabia

Background

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a viral respiratory disease that first emerged in China in December 2019 and quickly spread worldwide. As the prevalence of COVID-19 increases, radiological examination is becoming an essential diagnostic tool for identifying and managing the disease’s progression. Therefore, we aimed to identify the chest imaging features and clinical characteristics of patients with laboratory-confirmed COVID-19 in Saudi Arabia.

Material/Methods

In this retrospective study, data of laboratory-confirmed COVID-19 patients were collected from 4 hospitals in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. Their common clinical characteristics, as well as imaging features of chest X-rays and computed tomography (CT) images, were analyzed.

Results

A total of 297 patients with laboratory-confirmed COVID-19 who underwent chest imaging were investigated in this study. Of these patients, 77.9% were male and 22.2% were female. Their mean age was 48 years old. The most common clinical symptoms were fever (187 patients; 63%) and cough (174 patients; 58.6%). The predominant descriptive chest imaging findings were ground-glass opacities and consolidation. Locations of abnormalities were bilateral, mainly distributed peripherally, in the lower lung zones, and in the middle lung zones.

Conclusions

This study provides an understanding of the most common clinical and radiological features of patients with laboratory-confirmed COVID-19 in Saudi Arabia. The majority of COVID-19 patients in our study cohort had either stable or worse progression of lung lesions during follow-ups; thus, they presented moderate disease cases. Elderly males were more affected by COVID-19 than females, with fever and cough being the most common clinical symptoms.

Artery of Percheron Infarction: A Characteristic Pattern of Ischemia and Variable Clinical Presentation: A Literature Review

The Artery of Percheron (AOP) is an uncommon anatomic variant that provides arterial supply to the paramedian region of the thalami and bilaterally to the rostral part of the midbrain; it is a solitary arterial trunk that branches from a proximal segment of the posterior cerebral artery (PCA). Although AOP infarction results in a characteristic pattern of ischemia-namely bilateral paramedian thalamic infarct with or without midbrain involvement-it may cause diagnostic difficulties due to the variety of its clinical presentations and wide differentials, as well as its small diameter and the difficulty of obtaining visualization through diagnostic imaging. Early neuroimaging of AOP infarction and correct diagnosis are mandatory for early initiation of the appropriate treatment and better patient outcomes. In this study, we discuss imaging the patterns of AOP infarction and its differentials and clinical presentation.

Knowledge of COVID-19 infection control among healthcare workers in radiology departments in Saudi Arabia

Radiological examinations have played a crucial role in the identification and management of COVID-19 patients. Therefore, knowledge and awareness of infection control among healthcare workers in radiology departments are important to prevent disease transmission. This study aimed to assess the knowledge and practice of infection control for COVID-19 among healthcare workers in radiology departments in Saudi Arabia. A cross-sectional, online questionnaire was administered among healthcare workers in radiology departments in Saudi Arabia in May 2020. The questionnaire consisted of demographic characteristics, profession, knowledge of infection control for COVID-19, and good practice of infection control measures for COVID-19 in radiology departments. A descriptive statistical analysis and chi-square test were performed using SPSS software. A total of 234 (91%) of healthcare workers replied that they have good knowledge about the precautions needed during the examination of positive COVID-19 cases in radiology departments, and 216 (84%) replied that they knew the necessary precautions when using portable X-ray machine. Moreover, 191 (>74%) of those surveyed agreed that wearing personal protective equipment and following the CDC sequence. There was significant association between profession and good clinical practices in radiology departments regarding COVID-19. Such knowledge could limit the spread of COVID-19 among the healthcare workers in radiology departments.

Diagnostic Value of Imaging Modalities for COVID-19: Scoping Review

BACKGROUND

Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) is a serious infectious disease that causes severe respiratory illness. This pandemic represents a serious public health risk. Therefore, early and accurate diagnosis is essential to control disease progression. Radiological examination plays a crucial role in the early identification and management of infected patients.

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this review was to identify the diagnostic value of different imaging modalities used for diagnosis of COVID-19.

METHODS

A comprehensive literature search was conducted using the PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and Google Scholar databases. The keywords diagnostic imaging, radiology, respiratory infection, pneumonia, coronavirus infection and COVID-19 were used to identify radiology articles focusing on the diagnosis of COVID-19 and to determine the diagnostic value of various imaging modalities, including x-ray, computed tomography (CT), ultrasound, and nuclear medicine for identification and management of infected patients.

RESULTS

We identified 50 articles in the literature search. Studies that investigated the diagnostic roles and imaging features of patients with COVID-19, using either chest CT, lung ultrasound, chest x-ray, or positron emission topography/computed tomography (PET/CT) scan, were discussed. Of these imaging modalities, chest x-ray and CT scan are the most commonly used for diagnosis and management of COVID-19 patients, with chest CT scan being more accurate and sensitive in identifying COVID-19 at early stages. Only a few studies have investigated the roles of ultrasound and PET/CT scan in diagnosing COVID-19.

CONCLUSIONS

Chest CT scan remains the most sensitive imaging modality in initial diagnosis and management of suspected and confirmed patients with COVID-19. Other diagnostic imaging modalities could add value in evaluating disease progression and monitoring critically ill patients with COVID-19.

The impact of hippocampal segmentation methods on correlations with clinical data

BACKGROUND

In vivo measurement of hippocampal volume with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) has become an important element in neuroimaging research. However, hippocampal volumetric findings and their relationship with cardiovascular risk factors and memory performance are still controversial and inconsistent for non-demented adults.

PURPOSE

To compare total and regional hippocampal volumes from manual tracing and automated Freesurfer segmentation methods and their relationship with mid-life clinical data and late-life verbal episodic memory performance in older women.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

This study used structural MRI datasets from 161 women who were scanned in 2012 and underwent neuropsychological assessments. Of these participants, 135 women had completed baseline measures of cardiovascular risk factors in 1992.

RESULTS

Our results showed a significant correlation between manual tracing and automated Freesurfer output segmentations of total (r = 0.71), anterior (r = 0.65), and posterior (r = 0.38) hippocampal volumes. Mid-life Framingham Cardiovascular Risk Profile score is not associated with late-life hippocampal volumes, adjusted for intracranial volume, age, education, and apolipoprotein E gene ε4 status. Anterior hippocampal volume segmented either with manual tracing or automated Freesurfer software is sensitive to changes in mid-life high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol level, while posterior hippocampal volume is linked with verbal episodic memory performance in elderly women.

CONCLUSION

These findings support the use of Freesurfer automated segmentation measures for large datasets as being highly correlated with the manual tracing method. In addition, our results suggest intervention strategies that target mid-life HDL cholesterol level in women.