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Rationale and Objectives: To compare the cost of ultrasound (US) versus magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) using time-driven activity-based costing in adolescent female patients with suspected appendicitis.Materials and Methods: Process maps were created using data from electronic medical record review and patient shadowing for adolescent female patients undergoing US or noncontrast MRI exams of the abdomen and pelvis for suspected appendicitis. Capacity cost rates for all personnel, equipment, facilities, and supplies in each exam pathway were established from institutional accounting data. The cost of each process step was determined by multiplying step-specific capacity cost rates by the mean time required to complete the step. Total pathway costs for US and MRI were computed by summing the costs of all steps through each pathway, and a direct cost comparison was made between the two modalities.Results: Process maps for US and MRI pathways were generated from 231 and 52 patient encounters, respectively. Patients undergoing US exams followed one of six pathways depending on exam order (abdomen versus pelvis performed first) and whether additional time was needed for bladder filling. Mean total US pathway time was 91 minutes longer than for MRI (US = 166 minutes; MRI = 75 minutes). Total MRI pathway cost was $209.97 compared to a mean US cost of $258.33 (range = $163.21-$293.24).Conclusion: MRI can be a faster and less costly alternative to US for evaluating suspected appendicitis in adolescent female patients. While precise costs will vary by institution, MRI may be a viable and at times preferable alternative to US in this patient population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Pleuropulmonary blastoma (PPB), the hallmark tumour associated with DICER1 -related tumour predisposition, is characterised by an age-related progression from a cystic lesion (type I) to a high-grade sarcoma with mixed cystic and solid features (type II) or purely solid lesion (type III). Not all cystic PPBs progress; type Ir (regressed), hypothesised to represent regressed or non-progressed type I PPB, is an air-filled, cystic lesion lacking a primitive sarcomatous component. This study aims to evaluate the prevalence of non-progressed lung cysts detected by CT scan in adolescents and adults with germline DICER1 pathogenic/likely pathogenic (P/LP) variants., Methods: Individuals were enrolled in the National Cancer Institute Natural History of DICER1 Syndrome study, the International PPB/ DICER1 Registry and/or the International Ovarian and Testicular Stromal Tumor Registry. Individuals with a germline DICER1 P/LP variant with first chest CT at 12 years of age or older were selected for this analysis., Results: In the combined databases, 110 individuals with a germline DICER1 P/LP variant who underwent first chest CT at or after the age of 12 were identified. Cystic lung lesions were identified in 38% (42/110) with a total of 72 cystic lesions detected. No demographic differences were noted between those with lung cysts and those without lung cysts. Five cysts were resected with four centrally reviewed as type Ir PPB., Conclusion: Lung cysts are common in adolescents and adults with germline DICER1 variation. Further study is needed to understand the mechanism of non-progression or regression of lung cysts in childhood to guide judicious intervention., Competing Interests: Competing interests: Dr Hill is the owner of ResourcePath LLC, a company which does research and development of laboratory tests including for DICER1-related cancers. The work is unrelated to the information presented in this article. Dr Stewart provides telegenetics services for Genome Medical, Inc, in accordance with relevant National Cancer Institute policies. The remaining authors have no conflicts to disclose., (© Author(s) (or their employer(s)) 2024. No commercial re-use. See rights and permissions. Published by BMJ.)