Lucy B. Spalluto

MR Imaging Evaluation of Abdominal Pain during Pregnancy: Appendicitis and Other Nonobstetric Causes

Clinical diagnosis of the cause of abdominal pain in a pregnant patient is particularly difficult because of multiple confounding factors related to normal pregnancy. Magnetic resonance (MR) imaging is useful in evaluation of abdominal pain during pregnancy, as it offers the benefit of cross-sectional imaging without ionizing radiation or evidence of harmful effects to the fetus. MR imaging is often performed specifically for diagnosis of possible appendicitis, which is the most common illness necessitating emergency surgery in pregnant patients. However, it is important to look for pathologic processes outside the appendix that may be an alternative source of abdominal pain. Numerous entities other than appendicitis can cause abdominal pain during pregnancy, including processes of gastrointestinal, hepatobiliary, genitourinary, vascular, and gynecologic origin. MR imaging is useful in diagnosing the cause of abdominal pain in a pregnant patient because of its ability to safely demonstrate a wide range of pathologic conditions in the abdomen and pelvis beyond appendicitis.

A Female Faculty Development Program for Radiology.

INTRODUCTION The results of the 2015 ACR Workforce Survey confirm that women remain underrepresented in leadership positions in radiology. Within the aggregate of academic and private practice, 14% of all men are leaders and only 7% of all women are leaders [1]. National data reveal that within academic radiology practices, women are underrepresented among senior faculty ranks, are less likely to hold tenured positions, and are less likely to be in departmental leadership roles [2]. Among full radiology professors, only 19% are women, and among all radiology department chairs, only 16% are women [3,4]. Although women and men are represented in equal numbers at the assistant professor level, women do not advance through the ranks at the same pace as men, and many remain at the assistant professor level for their entire careers [5]. The reasons for these disparities are unclear and are likely multifactorial. It is reasonable to assume that when environments are designed for people to succeed, such disparities in academic advancement should diminish. Academic advancement of women is, of course, important for personal career satisfaction, but it has benefits for our profession and

Ureteral pseudodiverticulosis: a unique case diagnosed by multidetector computed tomography.

Presented is a case of ureteral pseudodiverticulosis diagnosed by multidetector computed tomography (CT). Axial and coronal reformatted CT images revealed multiple small (2-4 mm) outpouchings of both ureters, characteristic of ureteral pseudodiverticulosis. The unenhanced CT also revealed a 6-mm stone at the left ureterovesical junction and a high attenuation lesion at the right ureterovesical junction suspect for an associated uroepithelial neoplasm.

Radiology Research Funding: Current State and Future Opportunities

Funding for research has become increasingly difficult to obtain in an environment of decreasing clinical revenue, increasing research costs, and growing competition for federal and nonfederal funding sources. This paper identifies critical requirements to build and sustain a successful radiology research program (eg, key personnel and leadership, research training and mentorship, infrastructure, institutional and departmental funding or support), reviews the current state of available funding for radiology (including federal, nonfederal, philanthropy, crowdfunding, and industry), and describes promising opportunities for future funding (eg, health services, comparative effectiveness, and patient-centered outcomes research). The funding climate, especially at the federal level, changes periodically, so it is important to have radiology-specific organizations such as the American College of Radiology and the Academy of Radiology Research serving as our key advocates. Key to obtaining any funding, no matter what the source, is a well-formulated grant proposal, so a review of opportunities specifically available to radiologists to develop and hone their grant-writing skills is provided. Effective and sustained funding for radiology research has the potential to cultivate young researchers, bolster quality research, and enhance health care. Those interested in pursuing research need to be aware of the ever-changing funding landscape, research priority areas, and the resources available to them to succeed. To succeed, radiology researchers need to think about diversification and flexibility in their interests, developing multidisciplinary and multi-institutional projects, and engaging a broader base of stakeholders that includes patients.

35 Years of Experience From the American Association for Women Radiologists: Increasing the Visibility of Women in Radiology

Women radiologists remain in minority, unchanged for the past several decades. In 1981, the American Association for Women Radiologists (AAWR) was founded to address the problems that women radiologists were experiencing in being subordinate to male radiologists in the workplace and at the national level in organizations with respect to political power and financial compensation, as well as additional issues unique to women in radiology. The AAWR defined goals to meet the needs of women in radiology: improve the visibility of women radiologists, advance the professional and academic standing of women in radiology, and identify and address issues faced by women in radiology. AAWR efforts have included providing opportunities for career development and award recognition, hosting educational programs at national meetings, and publishing numerous manuscripts on issues faced by women in radiology. The AAWR recognizes that although there has been significant progress in the standing of women in radiology over the past 35 years, there is much room for improvement. The AAWR will continue to advocate for the needs of women in radiology.

Jump-Starting a Radiology Patient Advisory Group: Key Learning Points and Accomplishments Over the First Year

INTRODUCTION Health outcomes, allocation of services, and patient and family satisfaction improve with patient engagement in health care [1-4]. Patient engagement has even been called “the blockbuster drug of the 21st century” in the popular press [5]. In recognition of the impact patient engagement can have in the field of radiology, the ACR recently formed the Commission on Patientand Family-Centered Care, whose aim is to support the incorporation of more patientand family-centered care in radiology practices [6]. The term patient engagement broadly encompasses the concepts of patientand family-centered care and shared decision making. Engagement can take many different forms, including providing opportunities for patients to ask questions about their care, talking directly with patients and families about their experiences and how these might be improved, and involving patients in the research process. The Vanderbilt Department of Radiology recognizes the growing importance of patient engagement and the need to improve methods to directly involve patients in radiology processes and procedures. We have pioneered an innovative patient engagement strategy, the patient

Addressing Needs of Women Radiologists: Opportunities for Practice Leaders to Facilitate Change

Women are, and have always been, underrepresented in radiology. This gender disparity must be addressed. Women bring a different perspective to the workplace; and their collaborative, empathetic, and compassionate approach to patient care and education is an asset that the radiology community should embrace and leverage. Radiologic organizations should focus on removing barriers to the entry of women physicians into radiology as a specialty and to their career advancement. Organizations should address bias, promote physician well-being, and cultivate a safe and positive work environment. Radiology leaders committed to increasing gender diversity and fostering an inclusive workplace have the opportunity to strengthen their organizations. This article outlines the key steps that practice leaders can take to address the needs of women in radiology: (a) marketing radiology to talented women medical students, (b) addressing recruitment and bias, (c) understanding and accommodating the provisions of the Family and Medical Leave Act of 1993 and the Fair Labor Standards Act for both trainees and radiologists in practice, (d) preventing burnout and promoting well-being, (e) offering flexible work opportunities, (f) providing mentorship and career advancement opportunities, and (g) ensuring equity. ©RSNA, 2018.

Sonographic findings of early pregnancy in the rudimentary horn of a unicornuate uterus: A two case report

Congenital uterine anomalies have a profound impact on reproductive outcomes. The unicornuate uterus accounts for approximately 20% of all congenital uterine anomalies. Unicornuate uterine anomalies with non-communicating rudimentary horns are at risk of developing ectopic pregnancy in the rudimentary horn. Given increased risked of uterine rupture, rudimentary horn pregnancies pose significant maternal health risks. Understanding the sonographic appearance of early pregnancy within the rudimentary horn of the unicornuate uterine configuration is imperative for appropriate and timely clinical management. We present two cases of pregnancy in the rudimentary horn of a unicornuate uterus diagnosed sonographically in the first trimester.

Women’s response to state-mandated language in dense breast notification

Many states require radiologists to notify women of dense breast status. Our aim was to elicit womens response to state‐mandated dense breast notification language. Of respondents, 82% report that current notification does not inform them of additional screening studies available, and 41% report notification does not inform them of next steps. Open‐ended responses indicate three main areas of patient concern: Decisional Needs, Decision Quality, and Decision Support. We modified an existing Decision Support framework to capture additional themes specific to dense breast decisions. The developed framework can be used to revise and improve current breast density reporting methods.