Two articles of FORUM viz. "Factory of Poor Radiologists" and "Demise of Department of Radiology" regarding state of affairs of Department of Radiology , Medical College, Baroda (SSG Hospital) attracted my attention on this important issue.Some centres /Departments are very good at some point of time with vibrant atmosphere and a lot of academic activities.But as is true with any organisation it is also a dynamic thing and may change its character gradually or suddenly. This is more true in case of a Government run Medical Colleges. Another issue is vigilant monitoring of the equipment health. Transfer of Teachers(they being Government employees) for opening new Medical Colleges in the state can lead to sudden fall in academic activity and /or machine maintenance.High turnover of junior  Radiology teachers also may change character of Department if a constant guidance from a senior Teacher is not available.

What is that Clinicians want or rather expect from radiology reports?

In good old days Radiology Practice means nothing but interpreting the x-rays ordered by the clinicians.

All that clinician wanted to know was whether there is TB in the x ray chest, whether any duodenal/gastric ulcer in the barium meal studies, or any fracture of bones etc.The life of the Radiologists was very simple and care free ( without much responsibility )  in those days and no surprise…. no takers for Radiology Postgraduate seats. Anybody, did radiology PG in those days is not out of Love of the specialty but due to helplessness, and I remember People with MD in radiology settled happily in General Practice, since they just wanted MD tag

From 70’s onwards,   things have changed and Radiology advanced rapidly and radiologist started playing a role along with the clinicians in patient management and even earned respect as “clinician’s clinician”

Definition of Bias

‘To lean towards something because you don’t like something else, or you like something more than something else, goes hand in hand with discrimination and prejudice’

‘Someone who already has their mind made up and preset towards a one sided view of a situation’

Scene 1

Patient having RT hypochondrial pain.

Two scan centers gave USG report as Multiple Gall stones with sludge and a third scan center gave the report as ‘echogenic mass lesion with acoustic shadow-to rule out growth’

(Nobody knows why the patient visits so many scan centers for the same problem.)

In response the Blog Article ‘Limitations and Radiologists’, Dr. Himanshu Maniar brought out a very sensible and realistic issue.

He said

“While taking a stance on such issue, we should keep in mind that it may not be possible to change machine so frequently in a private set up. The problem is when you give your machine for buyback the deal is invariably against you as either you get a very small amount (Which may not even cover the loan margins) or you are made to pay more” -

However...Medico legally…Can we safely argue that …… due to the financial limitations resulting in difficulties to upgrade the machinery ….there was error in my diagnosis and my lord… pardon me!

This seems really a burning (business) issue among individual radiologists and sonologists, running own diagnostic centers. Unfortunately switching over to better machines is not that simple as buying a cell phone or laptop or buying a new dress every week for the favorite secretary.

Role of radiology in HPV positive oropharyngeal carcinoma-revisited

My radiology report slightly deviates from suggested guidelines, and I will try explain it

Radiology 'standard' report format:

This question is frequently asked on forum, emails and personal meetings by owners of Radiology Setup. Tell us tips to increase business. Though some people do not like to call it business and prefer term Profession, but at the end of day it is Business.

Have you ever wondered, how Mobile companies manage to earn despite of small contribution from individual customer? Individual pays average 200-500RS per month for one month of mobile usage but still these companies are cashing on Profit. The answer is simple by increasing visibility of their product and reaching maximum potential customers through Advertisements. These companies pays few lakhs for just 10-30 seconds Advt.

Time and again it was stressed about the importance of a proper language to be used whether in

Radiology practices (radiology report) or be  in Clinical practice (Clinical diagnosis as mentioned

In the requisition form by clinicians)

Ultimately the aim is to have a proper language communication so that patient is benefited and region of interest is thoroughly assessed.

Are Abbreviations and Acronyms a must?? I always wonder.

Does not it remind you of a quiz program?

It may be a time saving formula for one party …. However it is likely to be a time consuming for the other party concerned.

Incidence 1.

Mr. X went to a scan center and had MRI of Knee joint. The scan picked up no abnormality and pt was happy and went back home. Since the knee pain became worse in the same night he went to an institute to have advice. The orthopedician advised him to have another MRI in spite of pt showing him the MRI scan taken on the same day.

Pt became furious and started putting embarrassing questions to this orthopedician.

This orthopedician being a senior man got annoyed and told him to either get a fresh scan at so and so place or get lost.

Relatives convinced the patient to have another scan preferred by the Orthopedician and patient reluctantly agreed to have the scan

Now the report came as meniscus tear... Patient was operated and subsequently doing well.

Dear All,

It has been observed that PC & PNDT Act has become destructive tool in the hands of appropriate authorities. Every CMO uses it at its own whims and Fancy. At so many instances the ultrasound machines are being sealed on drop of a hat. The objections are being raised that improper filling of Form “F”. The referral slips do not have obstetric history, the record is not proper. Everybody knows how the record is being kept at civil hospitals versus private diagnostic centre. Every Civil Surgeon feels that by Gagging the Radiologist the female feticide will stop. But alas the results are not much encouraging. We need to dig in the details of this social evil and better results could be obtained. Not by keeping radiologist as evil doer but as a team member.

here are some suggestions to control skewed sex ratio

They are laying more focus on methodology to fill the Form F and Paperwork rather nabbing the culprits. Which generally proves to be a futile effort? As someone doing this illegal work will not keep any record of this act. And will keep the timing at odd hours when the controlling authorities are least expected to <!-- @page { size: 8.5in 11in; margin: 0.79in } P { margin-bottom: 0.08in } -->nab them. More over it is possible only in connivance with the authorities itself in some cases. But most of the civil surgeons are struggling hard to stop female feticide.