/library/oar/handle/123456789/49194 2025-12-26T04:26:31Z 2025-12-26T04:26:31Z /library/oar/handle/123456789/111304 2023-07-06T05:24:57Z 2009-01-01T00:00:00Z

Title: Perspective of radiologists and urologists on diagnostic accuracy in detecting urolithiasis Abstract: Urolithiasis is a condition caused by calculi formation in the urinary tract. Both IVU and nonenhanced CT of the kidneys, ureters and bladder have been used to diagnosis this pathology. Yet, the role of CT has radically increased over the past five years in the diagnosis of this condition whilst IVU is minimally used or obsolete and a number of centres worldwide are starting to use CT as the gold standard technique (Teichman, 2004). However, this is not the case at the general hospital in Malta where NSCT imaging is often used when IVU results are unequivocal. The objective of this research study is to evaluate the reasons for this by obtaining the perspective of all the radiologists and urologists; employed at the general hospital; on diagnostic accuracy of NSCT and IVU. The majority of radiologists had opposing opinions regarding this topic especially when discussing radiation dose, cost effectiveness and availability of staff and the CT scanner because in their opinion the former mentioned issues are the reasons NSCT is not the gold standard examination and will not supersede independently without IVU. On the other hand, the opinion given by the urologists corroborated with what each other claimed; that NSCT is the more superior method and may supersede independently without IVU. It was stated by a number of radiologists that there is lack of communication and discussion between the referrers (urologists) and the receivers (radiologists). Description: B.SC.(HONS)RADIOGRAPHY

2009-01-01T00:00:00Z /library/oar/handle/123456789/111220 2023-07-04T11:06:00Z 2009-01-01T00:00:00Z

Title: Routine performance (constancy) testing of gamma cameras Abstract: Objectives: The main objectives of the study consisted of the development and implementation of a routine performance (constancy) testing protocol for a gamma camera suitable for the use of radiographers and to identify any deterioration of the dual head gamma camera under study. Research Design: A constancy testing protocol based on IEC document TR 61948-2 and involving a set of performance indicators was developed. The performance indicators were measured over a period of time in order to investigate any possible deterioration in the performance of a gamma camera. The performance indicators studied were energy calibration stability, background, sensitivity, non-uniformity, integral uniformity, pixel size, spatial resolution and spatial linearity. Results: The results of this study were presented as a set of standard constancy testing charts. None of the performance indicators exceeded the maximum acceptable limits indicating that the camera is functioning as it should, however further investigations of sensitivity and pixel size is recommended. Conclusions: The protocol was found to be suitable for the particular gamma camera unit under study. Suggestions for further improvement of the protocol and for improvement of the QC procedures at the hospital concerned were put forward. Description: B.SC.(HONS)RADIOGRAPHY

2009-01-01T00:00:00Z /library/oar/handle/123456789/54011 2023-07-03T07:56:30Z 2009-01-01T00:00:00Z

Title: The value of routine preoperative chest radiography prior to elective orthopaedic procedures requiring general anaesthesia Abstract: Introduction Routine procedures are tests performed for asymptomatic, apparently healthy individuals, in the absence of any specific clinical indication, to identify conditions undetected by clinical history and examination. Locally, it has been routine practice to carry out chest radiography before surgical operations which require general anaesthesia, even though doubts have been expressed over the years in various studies, concerning the need for this examination preoperatively except when clinically indicated. Aim of the Study The aim of this study was to collect opinions of various anaesthetists to assess the value of routine preoperative CXRs, with particular attention to patients undergoing an elective orthopaedic procedure requiring general anaesthesia. Methodology Anaesthetists' opinion on preoperative chest radiography was collected by performing a crosssectional, non-experimental research design. Six anaesthetists working in an elective orthopaedic theatre in a local general hospital were interviewed to assess the value of twentynine preoperative chest radiographs of patients undergoing an elective orthopaedic procedure under general anaesthesia. Results Findings of this study revealed that preoperative chest radiography is not routinely indicated for all patients, but should be performed when indicated by clinical history and physical examination, as this test did not benefit asymptomatic patients in terms of detecting unsuspected abnormalities. The abnormalities detected were suspected from clinical examination, which however were not significant to anaesthesia. Also, none of the preoperative CXRs (whether normal or abnormal) had an influence on anaesthetic management. Moreover, anaesthetists would have still proceeded with anaesthesia for most of the preoperative CXRs that were considered 'justified', if the chest radiograph was not available. Conclusion Based on the findings of the study, the researcher has put forward a number of conclusions and recommendations which offer effective means of improving the preoperative chest radiography practice for the interest of patient's safety, to reduce radiation dose, whilst reducing the Medical Imaging Department's costs and workload of unjustified examinations. Description: B.SC.(HONS)RADIOGRAPHY

2009-01-01T00:00:00Z /library/oar/handle/123456789/54010 2020-11-16T09:04:26Z 2009-01-01T00:00:00Z

Title: Doses during chest examinations at the neonatal and paediatric intensive care unit (NPICU) of a general hospital in Malta. Abstract: Objectives The objectives of the study were to measure kerma area product (KAP) values during portable chest x-rays on neonatal and paediatric patients aged 0 to 12 months, nursed at the neonatal and paediatric intensive care unit (NPICU) of a local general hospital, calculate corresponding entrance surface dose (ESD), compare mean values with those found in the European literature and suggest local diagnostic reference levels (LDRL) for the hospital concerned. Research Design KAP and ESD from portable chest x-rays on neonatal and paediatric patients aged 0 to 12 months nursed at the neonatal and paediatric intensive care unit (NPICU) of the hospital concerned were surveyed. As no national DRLs are available mean KAP and ESD values were set as LDRLs. Different LDRLs were also set for different thicknesses of paediatric patients as recommended in the literature. Results The main results from the study were: (a) Mean doses for AP chest of neonatal and paediatric patients aged 0 to 12 months in the hospital concerned are well below those found in the European literature reflecting the modem devices available in the hospital and showing that the radiographers are properly trained and making good use of digital imaging. (b) The LDRL in terms of KAP derived from the total sample was 4100 +/- 300μ.Gycm2 whilst that in terms of ESD was 26 +I-1 μGy. LDRLs for the various different patient thickness groups were 1800 +/-140 μGycm2 and 23 +/-1 μGy for a patient thickness of 5.0-6.9cm, 3900 +/-280 μGycm2 and 24 +/- 1 μGy for a patient thickness of 7.0- 8.9cm, 5100 +/- 440 μGycm2 and 29 +/- 2 μGy for a patient thickness of 9.0-11.0cm. (c) Further lowering of the LDRLs was found to be possible if well collimated images only were considered Conclusions On the basis of the study, the researcher concluded that even though patient dose values in this study are well below those found in the European literature further reduced values of the LDRL can be obtained by improving collimation. It is suggested that the use of a higher kV I reduced mAs, using higher sensitivity FUJI STBD IP cassettes (which are available at the hospital concerned) and appropriate additional filtration and specifically designed paediatric AEDs can reduce dose even further. Description: B.SC.(HONS)RADIOGRAPHY

2009-01-01T00:00:00Z