Faculty Bibliography

OBJECTIVE:The full spectrum of organized radiology consists of numerous organizations with varied missions targeting their respective members. CONCLUSION/CONCLUSIONS:This article highlights many of these organizations, discusses the benefits they can provide to radiology trainees and junior faculty, and provides a road map for progressive participation among trainees to junior faculty as they advance through training.

PURPOSE/OBJECTIVE:Radiology fellowship training has evolved from being an uncommon option to being a near requisite for post-training employment in the United States. A subset of fellows elect to pursue second fellowships with potentially substantial implications on both the private sector and academic radiology workforce. The purpose of this study was to assess the proportion of current radiology fellows pursuing multiple years of post-residency fellowship training. MATERIALS AND METHODS/METHODS:After obtaining IRB approval, an anonymous web-based survey was emailed to 1,269 radiology fellows listed as "completing fellowship" in the American College of Radiology database in June 2014. Questions were asked regarding current fellowship training, post-fellowship employment plans, and individual experience pursuing employment. Results were analyzed using the survey analytical software. RESULTS:There were 219 responses received, representing a 17.3% response rate. Ten-percent of respondents were currently completing their second radiology fellowship. Of those completing their first year of fellowship training, 11% indicated plans to complete a second radiology fellowship. CONCLUSION/CONCLUSIONS:This survey provides a snapshot of the percentage of radiology trainees who pursue a second year of fellowship training, currently in the range of 10%. Pursuing a second radiology fellowship may represent a safety net to a substantial subset of fellows who are not able to obtain satisfactory employment following training. Academic programs who rely heavily on fellows should be aware of the proportion of fellows pursuing two fellowships and should be prepared to adapt should this change over time.

Radiology residency training has undergone substantial changes, including increased utilization of night float systems, late and/or overnight attending radiology in-house coverage (LOAR), and restructuring of the radiology boards. The purpose of this study is to evaluate radiology residents' perceptions regarding these changes and their impact on resident training using an anonymous, web-based survey that was distributed to radiology residents across the United States. A total of 345 current radiology residents completed the survey. A substantial number of radiology residents perceive that LOARs have negative impact on their development of independence and efficiency during the on call period. Residents are concerned about the timing of the core exam and match fellowship interviews, the timing of the certifying exam, and that graduating as board-eligible radiologists will harm their job search.

OBJECTIVE:Although some research and publication practices are clearly unethical, including fraud and plagiarism, other areas of research and publication, such as informed consent and conflicts of interest, fall into grayer areas. CONCLUSION/CONCLUSIONS:The purposes of this article are, therefore, to review a variety of relevant ethical issues in radiology-related journalism, peer review, and research; to review the radiology literature to date that has addressed these issues; and to present position statements and potential solutions to these problems.

Over the past 10 years, there has been increased attending-level image interpretation during what has typically been considered the on-call period. The purpose of this study is to survey radiology attending physicians and assess their perceptions about how the presence of radiology attending physicians during the on-call period affects patient care and resident education. Two hundred eighty-eight radiology attendings completed the online survey. 70% believe that after hours final reads by radiology attendings improves patient care. 56% believe that this additional attending presence has a negative impact on the ability of graduating residents to efficiently interpret studies independently. A majority of radiology attending physicians in this study believe that increased in-house radiology attending coverage is harming resident training across the United States, yet also believe this attending presence is important for patient care. Additional studies are needed to quantify and further evaluate this effect, and develop strategies to address potential negative impacts on radiology resident education.

PURPOSE/OBJECTIVE:The purpose of the study was to describe and present outcomes of the track embolization technique with absorbable hemostat gelatin powder during percutaneous computed tomography (CT)-guided lung biopsy and/or fiducial marker placement versus the standard of care (no track embolization) in an attempt to decrease rates of pneumothorax (PTX), chest tube placement, hemorrhage and/or complications, and average cost per patient. MATERIALS AND METHODS/METHODS:An institutional review board-approved, case-control, retrospective study was performed in which 125 consecutive patients who underwent track embolization were compared with 124 consecutive controls at one institution. For subjects in whom the track embolization technique was utilized, it was performed passively through a coaxial needle as it was removed. All procedures were performed by one of three attending interventional radiologists. For each group, medical records and procedure images were reviewed for PTX occurring postprocedure, PTX requiring chest tube placement, and occurrence of minor or major complication and/or hemorrhage. Comparison was made with published complication rates, and a cost-per-patient analysis was performed. Statistical analysis was performed utilizing Fisher's Exact Test. RESULTS:In track embolization cases versus controls, there were statistically significant reduction in PTX (8.8% vs. 21%; P=.007) and reduction in PTX requiring chest tube placement (4% vs. 8.1%; P=.195). This compares favorably to previously published rates of PTX and chest tube placement of 8%-64% and 1.6%-17%, respectively. None of the pneumothoraces occurring at time of needle placement increased in size with use of the track embolization technique. There were no major complications (including neurological sequela) in the track embolization group. In track embolization cases versus controls, there was a statistically significant reduction in both the rate of major hemorrhage (0% vs. 4%; P=.029) and average cost per patient ($262.40 vs. $352.07; P=.044). CONCLUSIONS:CT-guided percutaneous lung biopsy and/or fiducial marker placement were safer utilizing the track embolization technique during trocar removal. In addition, this technique was cost effective in the study population.

Atypical hemangioma (including sclerosing and/or hyalinizing hemangioma) of the liver is a rare variant of hepatic hemangioma, which is the most common benign hepatic tumor. Atypical hemangioma can be indistinguishable from malignancy, primary, or metastatic, based on imaging characteristics. We describe a case of a 70-year-old man with weight loss, occasional bloody stool, change in caliber of stool, and laboratory abnormalities who was found to have multiple hepatic lesions concerning for metastases. We demonstrate that knowledge of the appearance of atypical hemangioma and its inclusion in the differential diagnosis of hepatic lesions can alter patient management and be important to consider before invasive therapies are planned.

OBJECTIVE:We detail the association of sedentary behavior with a variety of health problems and provide the radiologist with a number of simple activities and techniques that can improve overall health while still meeting the productivity demands of a high-volume practice. Although these techniques are well known and recognized in the fitness and nutrition literature, they are not widely used in the radiology reading room. The computer- and workstation-based work routinely performed by diagnostic radiologists typically occurs in the seated position, leading to more than 8 hours per day of sitting. Studies have found that even for those who exercise regularly, spending increased time sitting can negate the healthful effects of exercise. Time spent in a seated or sedentary position leads to slowing of one's metabolism, with negative resultant effects. CONCLUSION/CONCLUSIONS:The concept of nonexercise activity thermogenesis (NEAT) will be described, with examples given of how to burn more calories while at work and, therefore, improve the health of the diagnostic radiologist. NEAT refers to the energy expended during activities of daily living, excluding sportlike or intentional exercise. The concept of NEAT must be understood by radiologists, because it allows the development of multiple strategies to combat the ill effects of sitting while working. Adding intermittent movement and stretching exercises throughout the day can stimulate metabolism. An understanding of the association of sedentary work behavior with a number of health risks is crucial for radiologists so that they can implement basic changes into their work routine, allowing them to increase activity to address and avoid these potential health hazards.

The relative value unit (RVU) is an important measuring tool for the work performed by physicians, and is currently used in the United States to calculate physician reimbursement. An understanding of radiology RVUs and current procedural terminology codes is important for radiologists, trainees, radiology managers, and administrators, as this knowledge would help them to understand better their current productivity and reimbursement, as well as controversies regarding reimbursement, and permit them to adapt to reimbursement changes that may occur in the future. This article reviews the components of the RVU and how radiology payment is calculated, highlights trends in RVUs and resultant payment for diagnostic and therapeutic imaging and examinations, and discusses current issues involving RVU and current procedural terminology codes.

The diagnostic radiology match process has become less competitive over the past 5 years, and fewer U.S. medical students are choosing to pursue careers in diagnostic radiology. The current composition of the diagnostic radiology residency applicant pool reflects this change. Although many possible explanations exist for the decreased interest in radiology, all radiologists should have a vested interest in ensuring that radiology continues to attract the best and brightest medical students. Young and early career radiologists are in a particularly unique position to connect with medical students, and can have substantial effect on recruiting the brightest medical students into radiology. The purpose of this article is to review why young radiologists are vital to this recruitment and mentoring process, and provide multiple simple ways to advocate for radiology and share our passion for radiology with medical students.