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Background: Acute appendicitis is a global surgical emergency. Radiographic modalities usually identify acute appendicitis, although radiographers' competence is questionable. This study examines how clinical radiographers' education and experience affect their ability to identify acute appendicitis using computed tomography (CT), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and ultrasonography (USG) characteristics. The study also aimed to determine which variable strongly influences their knowledge level. Methods: The study surveyed radiographers with a four-part self-administered questionnaire containing demographic information and eight knowledge-based questions about the appearance of acute appendicitis in MRI, CT and USG, separately. Before distribution, the questionnaire was validated and checked the reliability. Results: Clinical radiographers' knowledge about using MRI to diagnose acute appendicitis was strongly affected by education and experience (η² = 0.13 and 0.14; P < 0.05), with bachelor's degree holders scoring higher regardless of experience. Radiographers with more than 5 years of experience knew more about CT and USG features to identify acute appendicitis (η² = 0.40 and 0.27; P < 0.05). Radiographers with a bachelor's degree and greater experience had higher overall knowledge of MRI, CT and USG to diagnose acute appendicitis (η² = 0.51 and 0.11; P < 0.05). With adjusted R² = 54% (F [2, 44] = 27.94; P < 0.001), education and experience highly predicted the overall knowledge level. Conclusion: The study found gaps in radiographers' knowledge of the radiographic appearance of acute appendicitis. Clinical radiographers' education level and years of experience substantially affect their knowledge level. In addition, experience is a good predictor than education level for overall knowledge level. Therefore, the study emphasises the importance of continuing education and training for radiographers to diagnose acute appendicitis quickly and accurately. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Creating a model based on the Hounsfield value to identify liver problems during the delay phase of a Multiphase CT scan with contrast The purpose of this study was to determine if there was a difference between the justification of HCC from the HU formula and the findings of the doctor's reading by using a post-test-only control group design. The test data for the delayed-phase abdominal CT scan picture is 81, and the CT scan image for the formula determination data set is 349. The chi-square test was used to compare the HU of the Formula group to the radiologists' readings in order to determine the presence of HCC. HCC status in the group with radiological expertise, the majority of the samples were non-HCC, including a total of 61 pictures (75.3%), while in the group with the formula, the majority of the samples were likewise non-HCC, comprising a total of 62 images (76.5%). There was no discernible difference between the doctor's knowledge and the HU formula in supporting the presence of HCC on the Multiphase Abdominal MSCT examination with a p-value of 0.001. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ionizing radiation from a CT scanner may increase a patient's risk of deterministic effects and developing cancer. The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) urges member nations to develop national diagnostic reference levels (DRLs) to avoid unnecessary radiation exposure and monitor CT dose and diagnostic quality. This study aimed to establish the updated local diagnostic reference levels (LDRLs) of computed tomography adult abdominal examinations with a noise index as an indicator of image quality. Two hundred (200) adult patients undergoing CT abdomen-pelvis examinations were analyzed retrospectively from January 2021 to December 2022 and categorized into three age groups: group 1 (19–35 year), group 2 (36–55 year) and group 3 (56 year and above). DRLs for each age group were determined and set at the 50th percentile, and data such as the volume-weighted CT dose index (CTDIvol), dose-length product (DLP), and the effective dose (E) were calculated for each group. Both CT dose and image noise values between age groups have differed significantly with a p- value < 0.05. In all age groups, the 36-55 age group had the highest CTDIvol and DLP values and the lowest noise index value. T here was a substantial difference in dosages and noise intensity among individuals of different ages, and certain parameters needed to be changed in order to meet the clinical requirement. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To provide basic data on an appropriate contrast agent injection method that can reduce extravasation by evaluating the effect of contrast agent injection rate and scan time in abdomen general CT scans. A total of 120 patients (every 60 patients) underwent Dynamic CT (flow rate: 2.5-3.5mL/s, scan time: 60-80s) and Abdomen general CT (flow rate: 1.0-2.0mL/s, scan time: 90s) which is a slower injection and a late scan retrospectively. Hounsfield-Unit (HU), Signal-to-Noise Ratio (SNR), and Contrast-to-Noise Ratio (CNR) were measured and analyzed at the portal phase. The degree of contrast enhancement and diagnostic values were qualitatively compared using a 5-point scale by 1 radiologist and 2 radiological technologists. Statistical validation was performed in SPSS 27 using a Mann-Whitney U test. The average HU of the aorta, portal vein, and parenchyma in dynamic and general CT was 229.8±36.3, 253.9±45.8, 140.4±19.5 and 230.2±34.3, 242.3±26.5, 122.4±20.1. The average SNR and CNR were 24.2±6.4, 26.7±7.8, 14.8±3.7 and 16.8±5.3, 19.3±6.6, 7.4±2.6 in dynamic CT and 24.6±7.3, 25.7±6.0, 13.0±3.6 and 9.8±5.3, 10.6±6.1, 5.0±2.2 in general CT, respectively. The HU and SNR of the parenchyma decreased slightly, and the CNR decreased in all areas with a statistically significant difference (p <0.05). In qualitative analysis, the degree of contrast enhancement and diagnostic values were 4.93±0.31, 4.64±0.45 (p <0.05), and 5.00±0.00, 4.99±0.06 (p >0.05) in dynamic and general CT, respectively. The risk of extravasation could be reduced by a slower contrast agent injection and a late scan without compromising the quality or diagnostic value of the CT scans. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Contrast-enhanced examinations of the abdomen region have a greater radiation exposure due to the multiphase abdominal CT protocols. Therefore, the study intends to evaluate the feasibility of a BMI-based low-dose protocol for contrast-enhanced abdomen and pelvis and its influence on radiation dose and image quality. 120 patients were scanned using the standard protocol [120 kVp], and 96 patients were imaged using the low-dose BMI-based protocol [80 kVp for low BMI; 100 kVp for normal and overweight BMI]. The effective dose was estimated using region-specific conversion factors. Image quality was evaluated Objectively for signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR), image noise, and contrast enhancement index. Subjectively, image quality was evaluated by two radiologists on a 5-point scale. BMI-based low-dose protocols were able to reduce the radiation dose by 70.9%, 44.4 %, and 38%, respectively, among low BMI, normal BMI, and overweight patients. Objective: analysis demonstrated higher noise, lower SNR, and marginally better CNR in the low-dose BMI protocol. In subjective analysis, a majority of images were scored between 4 and 5, indicating excellent or above-average image quality. Lowering the tube voltage according to BMI can reduce the radiation dose significantly. There is also an improvement in contrast enhancement, which is highest in the low BMI protocol, thereby making it possible to minimise the contrast dose as well. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]