AJR. American journal of roentgenology
Utilization of Emergency Department (ED) Neuroimaging From 2016 to 2025: Analysis in Over 3 Million ED Encounters from the Multicenter Cosmos EHR Dataset
Rai P, Rajeev R, Malhotra A et al. · 2026 Jun 24
Study Type:
Retrospective analysis (multicentre EHR database study)
Key Question:
How has utilisation of emergency department neuroimaging changed across the United States between 2016 and 2025?
Key Findings:
- Abstract content insufficient to extract specific numerical findings, effect sizes, or statistical results — the full data are not present in the submission provided.
- Study draws on over 3 million ED encounters from the Cosmos EHR dataset, suggesting substantial statistical power.
- Temporal trends in CT and/or MRI use for neurological presentations across a 9-year period are the primary focus.
Clinical Relevance:
Understanding neuroimaging utilisation trends is directly relevant to UK radiology departments managing ED demand, workforce planning, and referral appropriateness — particularly given NHS pressures around imaging capacity and GIRFT (Getting It Right First Time) priorities.
Limitations:
As only the title and author information were provided rather than a full abstract, a complete methodological appraisal is not possible.
AJR. American journal of roentgenology
A Practical Guide to PSMA PET Radiopharmaceuticals for Prostate Cancer Imaging, From the AJR Special Series on Molecular Imaging
Peacock JG, Franquet-Elia E, Harris AL et al. · 2026 Jun 24
Study Type:
Commentary / educational review (part of a special series)
Key Question:
What are the clinically relevant differences between the three FDA-approved PSMA-targeted PET radiopharmaceuticals, and how should they guide agent selection in prostate cancer imaging?
Key Findings:
- The three agents ([⁶⁸Ga]Ga-PSMA-11, [¹⁸F]DCFPyL, [¹⁸F]rhPSMA-7.3) share PSMA-binding specificity but differ in radioisotope properties, ligand structure, and clearance pathways (renal vs hepatic), affecting lesion detectability near the urinary tract or liver.
- Hepatic clearance agents may complicate pre-therapy dosimetry, where liver uptake serves as a standard reference.
- Current evidence does not demonstrate overall diagnostic superiority for any single agent; choice should be guided by clinical context and operational factors.
Clinical Relevance:
As PSMA PET becomes embedded in UK prostate cancer pathways, understanding agent-specific properties is essential for accurate reporting and appropriate agent selection, particularly where access may vary by centre.
Limitations:
No original data presented; intrapatient comparative evidence between agents remains sparse.
AJR. American journal of roentgenology
An Early-Career Perspective-Career Pivots, an AJR Podcast Series (Episode 12)
Dogra S, Lyo S · 2026 Jun 24
Study Type:
Commentary / podcast editorial
Key Question:
What career pivot experiences and insights can early-career radiologists share to inform professional development?
Clinical Relevance:
Career trajectory decisions are relevant to radiology trainees and early-career clinicians in the UK, where workforce planning and subspecialisation pathways are increasingly significant within NHS radiology departments.
Key Findings:
- Abstract contains no extractable data; this is a podcast episode summary or editorial piece
- Specific content, themes, or findings cannot be determined from the available information
- No quantitative or qualitative research data are presented
European radiology
Lung nodule detection and potential impact on guideline-based management: a retrospective post-market evaluation of three commercial software systems
Jöbstl A, Luger AK, Nilica B et al. · 2026 Jun 24
Study Type:
Retrospective post-market evaluation (cohort study)
Key Question:
Do commercially available AI nodule detection tools perform equivalently in real-world CT practice, and do measurement differences affect guideline-based management recommendations?
Key Findings:
- Detection of actionable nodules (BTS definition) was statistically comparable across all three tools (S1: 375, S2: 341, S3: 373; p=0.73), despite significant differences in total detections and false findings
- Small absolute measurement variations caused significantly different management recommendations under BTS guidelines (S2 triggered more 1-year follow-ups than S3; p<0.001), but not under Fleischner Society guidelines
- False/spurious detections were substantial across all tools (S1: 965, S2: 720, S3: 1169 wrong findings), raising overdiagnosis concerns if used without radiologist oversight
Clinical Relevance:
UK radiology departments adopting AI nodule tools should be aware that BTS guideline thresholds are particularly sensitive to inter-software measurement variability, potentially generating inconsistent follow-up pathways.
Limitations:
Hypothetical management recommendations were modelled retrospectively without reference to a ground-truth standard or radiologist adjudication.
European radiology
LI-RADS v2018 versus KLCA-NCC v2022: comparison of probability-based HCC categories
Yoon JH, Lee ES, Kim YK et al. · 2026 Jun 26
Study Type:
Retrospective multicentre cohort study
Key Question:
Are the probability-based HCC diagnostic categories in LI-RADS v2018 and KLCA-NCC v2022 interchangeable in clinical practice?
Key Findings:
- On MRI, LR-5 had higher PPV than KLCA-NCC "definite HCC" (93.9% vs. 91.7%); intermediate categories (LR-4 vs. "probable HCC") showed comparable PPV (68.2% vs. 64.1%)
- On CT, "probable HCC" outperformed LR-4 (83.8% vs. 73.9%, p=0.012), whilst LR-5 and KLCA-NCC "definite HCC" performed equivalently (92.9% each)
- The "indeterminate" categories diverged significantly on MRI (LR-3 HCC proportion 13.2% vs. 40.8% for KLCA-NCC, p<0.001), indicating non-equivalence
Clinical Relevance:
UK centres using LI-RADS should not assume equivalent risk thresholds when interpreting literature or guidelines derived from KLCA-NCC, particularly for intermediate-risk lesions guiding surveillance or biopsy decisions.
Limitations:
Retrospective design with potential selection bias; findings may not generalise beyond gadoxetic acid-enhanced MRI protocols used in an East Asian HCC-risk population.
European radiology
Temporal bone remodeling after venous stenting for pulsatile tinnitus: isolated dehiscence versus diverticulum
Zhang Z, Han Y, Su T et al. · 2026 Jun 27
Study Type:
Retrospective cohort study
Key Question:
Does temporal bone remodelling after venous sinus stenting for pulsatile tinnitus differ between isolated sigmoid sinus wall dehiscence and diverticulum-associated dehiscence?
Key Findings:
- Short-term clinical success (≤3 months) achieved in 92.9% (65/70) of patients; long-term success in 97.4% of those with confirmed remodelling
- Remodelling occurred significantly more often with diverticulum than isolated dehiscence (85.7% vs 47.1%; adjusted OR 8.08, 95% CI 1.31–49.73)
- Older age independently predicted remodelling (adjusted OR 1.14 per year, 95% CI 1.03–1.26)
Clinical Relevance:
For UK neuroradiologists managing pulsatile tinnitus, pre-procedural CT characterisation of the anatomical subtype may refine patient counselling on expected structural and symptomatic outcomes following venous stenting.
Limitations:
Small sample with wide confidence intervals, and follow-up CT was available in only 52/70 patients, introducing potential selection bias.
European radiology
Do hepatic and biliary functional data from gadoxetate-enhanced MRI add value in predicting outcomes in primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC)?
Sandrasegaran K, Shah AS, Thompson CP et al. · 2026 Jun 27
Study Type:
Retrospective case-controlled study
Key Question:
Does functional biliary and hepatic data from gadoxetate-enhanced MRI improve prognostic prediction in primary sclerosing cholangitis compared to established clinical scoring systems?
Key Findings:
- On multivariate analysis, only Mayo Risk Score (p=0.001) and relative enhancement of proximal extrahepatic bile ducts (REPD) (p=0.035) independently predicted adverse events; REPD <4.64 gave 70% sensitivity and 63% specificity
- ANALI non-gadolinium score (p=0.0003) was the sole significant predictor of liver transplantation need; score >3 achieved 87.5% sensitivity and 74.2% specificity
- REPD measurement is considered impractical for routine reporting but potentially useful in clinical trials
Clinical Relevance:
UK radiologists reporting gadoxetate-enhanced MRI in PSC patients should consider including the ANALI score, as it predicts transplantation need and is feasible in routine practice.
Limitations:
Small single-centre retrospective cohort (n=73) limits generalisability and statistical power.
European radiology
Cardiovascular risk factors and carotid plaque components in a multi-ethnic cohort using 3 Tesla MRI: the HELIUS study
Vriend EMC, Bouwmeester TA, Bos D et al. · 2026 Jun 27
Study Type:
Prospective cohort study (cross-sectional MRI analysis within longitudinal cohort)
Key Question:
What is the association between midlife cardiovascular risk factors and carotid plaque composition (calcification, LRNC, IPH) on 3T MRI across different ethnic groups?
Key Findings:
- Hypertension and smoking were independently associated with plaque calcification (OR 4.02, 95% CI 1.59–10.12 and OR 4.94, 95% CI 1.79–13.62 respectively); smoking also associated with LRNC (OR 2.88, 95% CI 1.30–6.40)
- IPH prevalence was low (3.9%), precluding meaningful risk factor associations
- Moroccan participants had lower calcification prevalence than Dutch; no difference was seen between South-Asian Surinamese and Dutch participants
Clinical Relevance:
In a UK context with a similarly diverse population, these findings support ethnicity-aware cardiovascular risk stratification and suggest carotid plaque MRI could help target preventive intervention in high-risk midlife groups.
Limitations:
Small, single-centre sample (n=356) limits statistical power for rarer plaque components and ethnic subgroup comparisons.
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