OBJECTIVE: Breast cancer is one of the most important causes of death in women. The association of different diagnostic methods has been successfully employed as a means to enhance early diagnosis. In this scenario, the interventional and diagnostic breast ultrasound has played a significant role. This study has two main objectives: to identify echographic criteria related to benignancy and malignancy and to analyze echographic characteristics, evaluating their role as malignancy predictors. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Echographic morphological criteria adopted in the images description were: shape, limits, contour, echogenicity, echotexture, echotransmission, lesion orientation, and secondary signs. Validation was sought on 450 echographic images compared with follow-up and histopathological results. RESULTS: Main benignancy criteria were: well defined shape, regular contour, precise limits, lesions isoechoic to fatty tissue, homogeneous echotexture, and horizontal orientation. The criteria more typically related to malignancy were: ill-defined shape, irregular contour, partially precise limits, and hypoechogenicity. Contour irregularity has presented the greatest sensitivity (92.7%) as well as the highest negative predictive value (98.2%), while vertical orientation of the lesion has presented the greatest specificity (99.3%), and ill-defined shape, the highest positive predictive value (91.0%). CONCLUSION: The standardization of the method for characterization and description of breast ultrasound images has resulted in reports uniformization and optimization, allowing more appropriate therapeutic decisions.

Keywords: Ultrasound, Breast lesions, Diagnosis

OBJECTIVE: To propose a model of a program of medical residence in radiology and diagnostic imaging comprising theoretical and practical training. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The program was based on a literature review and critical analysis, following recommendations from Colégio Brasileiro de Radiologia e Diagnóstico por Imagem (Brazilian College of Radiology and Image Diagnosis) and Comissão Nacional de Residência Médica (National Commission for Medical Residency), and based on the program of Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education. RESULTS: The present proposal has been developed for a three-year-duration program divided into modules by subspecialties or diagnostic methods. Objectives have been described and targeted proficiencies specified. Evaluation models have been presented and discussed. CONCLUSION: Changes in the current teaching-learning model have become necessary because of the increasing information availability and fast technological development in the latest years. The hierarchical organization of the knowledge acquisition process with essential programmatic contents allows an appropriate education of the future specialist. It is anticipated that the present proposal may contribute to improve the medical residency programs, thus stimulating the implementation of a countrywide model.

Keywords: Medical residency, Radiology, Imaging diagnosis, Medical education

OBJECTIVE: To identify differences in the psychosocial profile of medical trainees and residents in radiology and diagnostic imaging, to evaluate the professional aspirations and inner motivation driving their choice of the specialty of radiology and diagnostic imaging, as well as whether their professional satisfaction level improves the doctor-patient relationship. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A 26-question questionnaire including the Rosenberg's self-esteem scale was completed by medical trainees and residents. RESULTS: Self-esteem is above average for 39.6% of the respondents; aptitude for medicine or personal realization has motivated the choice of 38.7% of the students; for 50.9% of the respondents, the patients understand and assimilate the information received from doctors; 77.4% of the doctors are able to clarify the patients doubts. CONCLUSION: In terms of psychosocial profile, there is no difference between medical trainees and residents in radiology and diagnostic imaging. Professional aspirations and inner motivation have played equivalent roles in the specialty choice of medical trainees and residents. Medical residents are better prepared to succeed in a doctor-patient relationship than trainees.

Keywords: Medical residency, Motivation, Profile, Doctor-patient relationship

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the consequences of incomplete necropsy reports of gunshot victims, in cases in which radiological methods were not used to locate the firearm projectiles. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 8,185 necropsy reports of "Instituto Médico-Legal Afrânio Peixoto", Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, were reviewed. This corresponds to the total number of corpses of the period from January to December 2001, and 3,122 of these consisted of autopsies of gunshot victims. RESULTS: Out of these 3,122, 309 bodies were buried with the firearm projectiles in its interior, which may lead to legal investigations in the future. In the same period 23 exhumations were requested, 12 of them with the purpose of collecting projectiles. The expenses related to the performance of necropsy exams of gunshot victims were calculated in about U$ 344 whereas the expenses related to the exhumations for the purpose of collecting firearm projectiles were calculated in about U$ 399. These calculations were performed to show the total amount that could be saved and otherwise spent, if legal-medical investigations of gunshot victims were successfully performed at first examination. In conclusion, necropsy examinations of gunshot victims must follow specific protocols, since incomplete necropsies will require posterior exhumations, with unnecessary additional costs.

Keywords: Radiology, Forensic Medicine, Radioscopy, Necropsy, Bullets

OBJECTIVE: To identify the main sources of information on breast cancer used by women; to determine whether there is an association between the use of specific sources and the education level or income of these women; to determine how women evaluate their own knowledge about breast cancer (self-evaluation); to determine whether this self-evaluation has affected the habit of doing breast self-examination. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Five hundred and thirty-one women, aged 20 years or older, were randomly interviewed in a private hospital in Goiânia, GO, Brazil. RESULTS: Television was pointed out as the main source of information on breast cancer (26.5%) regardless of education level or income, followed by magazines (16.8%), talking to other people (16.2%), physicians (15.8%), newspapers (12.2%), radio (8.4%) and internet (3.9%). A chi-square test indicated association between the four most used sources of information on breast cancer and the education level and family income. CONCLUSION: Interviewed women pointed out television as their main source of information on breast cancer. Eighty-three percent of the women deemed to have average or good knowledge about breast cancer. Women who considered themselves as having good knowledge about breast cancer were more prone to perform breast self-examination at appropriate intervals.

Keywords: Breast neoplasms, Detection, Screening

OBJECTIVE: To develop an acceptance testing protocol for magnetic resonance imaging systems and to show which and how phantoms could be used to collect data. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The definition, procedure, analysis and the acceptation criteria were created for each of 15 selected tests. RESULTS: These tests allow the evaluation of technical specifications stated on the manufacturer's sales proposal and to establish reference values to be used in subsequent constancy tests. CONCLUSION: Future quality assurance programs in magnetic resonance imaging should consider employing tests similar or equal to the ones described in this paper.

Keywords: Magnetic resonance imaging, Quality control

OBJECTIVE: To present an audit model for mammography results used on the examinations performed at "Centro de Diagnóstico Mamário da Santa Casa da Misericórdia do Rio de Janeiro", Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Between May 1997 and September 1998, 2,000 mammography examinations were performed, 1,570 in asymptomatic women, which results were assessed in this audit. RESULTS: The mammography examinations of the asymptomatic women were classified as follow: category 1 - 1,362 cases; category 2 - 9 cases; category 3 - 95 cases; category 4 - 24 cases; category 5 - 6 cases; category 0 - 74 cases. Out of 199 abnormal examinations (categories 0, 3, 4 and 5), 107 (54%) were followed-up and 92 (46%) were lost to follow-up. The 107 cases included in the study were classified as follows: category 3 - 48 cases; category 4 - 18 cases; category 5 - 4 cases; category 0 - 37 cases. No cases of cancer were detected among the 48 cases in category 3; two cases of cancer were seen among the 18 cases in category 4; all four cases in category 5 were cancer; one case of cancer was seen among the 37 cases in category 0. The audit values obtained were the following: positive predictive value (based on the exam with abnormal result) - 11%; positive predictive value (when there was indication for biopsy) - 31%. The rate of cancer detection in 1,570 women was of seven cases; the sensitivity was 100%; the specificity was 96%; and the recall rate was 4.7%. CONCLUSION: All these results reproduce data from the literature.

Keywords: Audit, Mammography, BI-RADS

The Breast Imaging Reporting and Data System (BI-RADS™) of the American College of Radiology is a system designed to standardize mammography reports, to reduce breast imaging misinterpretations and to facilitate monitoring of the outcome. OBJECTIVE: To identify the compliance of women and physicians with BI-RADS recommendations in Goiânia, GO, Brazil. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 3,000 women submitted to mammography examinations in a private clinic in Goiânia (January to December, 2002) were evaluated. The mammograms were reported according to BI-RADS classification. Women classified as categories 0, 3, 4 and 5 were followed up by telephone. RESULTS: Women who refused to follow the recommendation: category 0 (11.5%), 3 (13.8%), 4 (28%), 5 (0%). Physician failure to advise the patient to follow the recommendation: category 0 (18.2%), 3 (17%), 4 (20%). Women who complied with BI-RADS recommendation: category 0 (1.8%), 3 (5.7%), 4 (40%), 5 (100%). Contact lost during the follow-up: category 0 (68.5%), 3 (39%), 4 (12%). CONCLUSION: The level of compliance with BI-RADS recommendations was low in categories 0 and 3, and moderate in category 4. About 30% of women classified as category 0 did not undergo additional imaging evaluations either because of their refusal or lack of adequate physician advice.

Keywords: Mammography, Screening, BI-RADS

OBJECTIVE: To identify the characteristics of physicians in the State of Goiás, Brazil, regarding patient management, beliefs, opinions and knowledge about breast cancer. MATERIALS END METHODS: A total of 592 questionnaires were mailed to gynecologists, mastologists and geriatricians. The survey covered the following main aspects: 1 - socio-demographic characteristics (sex, age, year of graduation, private or public practice); 2 - ability to recognize breast cancer risk factors; 3 - implementation of educational activities for the patients; 4 - perception of obstacles to breast cancer screening; 5 - generic questions. RESULTS: The total number of answered questionnaires was 105 (21.2%); 70.5% were male physicians; mean age was 43.9 years (26-70 years); 73.5% had 20 years or less of graduation; 88.6% were gynecologists, 4.8% gynecologists/mastologists, 3.8% mastologists and 2.8% geriatricians; 62.5% were practicing in private and public clinics. Only 13.3% of the physicians recognized the five breast cancer risk factors presented. Approximately 95% of the physicians attended continuing medical education courses in the last two years previous to the survey. CONCLUSION: Breast cancer screening guidelines seemed to be misleading for most physicians. The answers regarding educational activities were sometimes contradictory. The beliefs and opinions regarding breast cancer screening were strongly positive. Insufficient number of equipments and the high cost of the tests were pointed out as obstacles to breast cancer screening.

Keywords: Mammography, Screening, Breast cancer

The authors examine the financial costs for implementation of a small mammography service. The literature was reviewed and a survey based on questionnaires applied to various companies specialized in medical radiology in different States of Brazil was carried out. Questionnaires were used to collect data on the costs of goods and services of mammography services such as equipment, furniture and fixtures, consumable products and materials, personnel, social contracts, and income taxes. Considering the social role of these companies but also their enterprise activity, the questionnaires were also employed for the analysis of economic and financial viability. The analysis of the data allowed us to establish a relationship between the variables - income, cost and return - that could ensure financial viability and profit in the implementation of a mammography service.

Keywords: Costs, Costs analysis, Diagnosis service, Mammography, Radiology

The Breast Imaging Reporting and Data System (BI-RADS™) from the American College of Radiology is a system designed to standardize mammographic reporting, reduce confounding factors in breast imaging interpretation, and to simplify the management of the final result. OBJECTIVE: To identify how the system is being used, providing information to help the Brazilian College of Radiology to develop strategies to improve its use. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Data were collected in the City of Goiânia, GO, Brazil. Each woman submitted to the examination in the service between January and June, 2003 was asked to provide previous reports and films. Examinations performed between 1/7/2001 and 30/6/2003 were included in the analysis. RESULTS: A total of 104 previous reports done by 40 radiologists from 33 different services were collected for analysis; 77% (n = 80) used the BI-RADS™. From these, only 15% (n = 12) were concise, none followed the recommendations suggested by the system, 98.75% (n = 79) were not in conformity with the lexicon terminology and in 65% (n = 51) there was no reference to pertinent recommendations. CONCLUSION: Although largely used, BI-RADS™ was not recognized as a system designed to standardize the reports and it was used almost exclusively to a final categorization of the exams.

Keywords: Mammography, Breast neoplasms, Detection

In 2003, the National Committee of Medical Residency established new criteria for the accreditation of Radiology and Imaging Diagnosis Residency programs. Although these rules represent an advance to the resident's training, other specific abilities and skills should be developed in order to keep up with the technical and scientific advances and with the new requirements of the career. The authors' present the must important competencies and skills that complement the radiologist's education and suggest a change in current programs so that the resident can acquire these competencies and skills.

Keywords: Medical residency, Radiology, Image diagnostic, Resident; Education

OBJECTIVE: To review the different types of radial scar/complex sclerosing lesion (RS/CSL) seen on clinical, mammography, and ultrasound examinations. The histopathology findings and the association of RS/CSL with atypical hyperplasia and malignancy are discussed. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We performed a retrospective study of patients from the files of the "Centro de Diagnóstico por Imagem and Hospital Santa Rita" - Vitória, ES, Brazil, of the period between October, 1993 and December, 2001. A total of 926 non-palpable lesions of 901 patients submitted to excision biopsy after pre-surgical localization were studied. Fifty-seven patients had pathology proven RS/CSL diagnosis. RESULTS: The age of the patients ranged from 31 to 84 years (average 49 years). There were palpable lesions in 10 patients (17.9%). The mammographic signs that suggested the need of biopsy were divided into three groups: architectural distortion (48 patients; 85.7%), stellate nodules (4 patients; 7.1%), and asymmetric densities (4 patients; 7.1%). Microcalcifications were detected by mammography alone in 14 patients (25%) and in the surgical specimen in 20 (35.7%) patients. Among 51 patients submitted to ultrasound, 17 had irregular hypoechoic areas with posterior acoustic shadowing. Of the 57 patients with RS/CSL, 42 had ductal hyperplasia, 9 had atypical ductal proliferation and 6 had infiltrative carcinoma. CONCLUSION: Differential diagnosis of RS/CSL from carcinomas can not be made using imaging methods and excision biopsy is mandatory.

Keywords: Radial scar, Breast cancer, Breast fibrocystic disease, Mammography, Breast ultrasound

The density pattern of the breasts should be reported to the clinician in view of the possible difficulties in the diagnosis of mammary disease due to reduced sensitiveness and specificity in patients with dense breasts. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this paper was to correlate the different mammography density patterns with possibly modifying factors such as age, parity and body mass index. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Eight hundred and forty-nine women and their respective mammography examinations were evaluated in order to identify the density pattern of the breasts, age, parity and body mass index. Chi-square test, contingency coefficient and logistic regression were used for the statistical analysis. RESULTS: Most women were 36 to 55 years old. There was predominance of low density (73.7%) over high density (26.3%) patterns. Multiparity was observed in 69.8% of the women whereas 16.5% were nulliparous and 13.7% had only one child. The body mass index was normal in 53.3% of the women. Overweight was observed in 26.1% of the women, 9.5% were obese and 11.3% were below the ideal weight. CONCLUSION: Dense breast patterns were influenced by young age, nulliparity and reduced body mass index. Low density breast patterns were more frequent with increasing ages, number of children and body mass index.

Keywords: Mammography, Breast radiography, Breast density

The article shows a panoramic view of radiology teaching in 11 of the 19 physiotherapy graduation courses in the State of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. The research evaluated the importance of radiology teaching in physiotherapy graduation courses and assessed the quality of teaching by applying a questionnaire directed to physiotherapists, physiotherapy students and graduation course coordinators. The guidelines for preparing a basic radiology course contents are discussed, considering the main needs of physiotherapists in the exercise of their profession. In closing, the study appraised the role of the teacher and emphasized the importance of a radiologist in the learning-teaching process.

Keywords: Radiology teaching, Radiology in physiotherapy

We studied the profile of 2,000 women who were submitted to mammography studies at a public hospital and at a private clinic in the city of Goiânia, GO, Brazil. Data were collected through interviews. The mean age of the women was 49 years. Most women resided in the city, 11.5% had not breastfed whereas two thirds had breastfed for more than 6 months. Hormone-replacement therapy was used by over 20% of the women, of which one fifth had never been submitted to a mammography study. Family history of breast cancer was reported in 13.3% of the women examined at the public hospital and in 7.5% of the women examined at the private clinic. Of these, 28.67% and 33.33%, respectively, had never been submitted to a mammography study before. Screening for cancer was the main cause that motivated the exam. A great number of the interviewed women had not been submitted to a mammography study due to the lack of a medical request, or simply because they considered it unnecessary at the time of request.

Keywords: Mammography, Breast cancer, Screening

We conducted a study to assess and compare the findings of computed tomography angiography and digital subtraction angiography in patients with intracranial aneurysms, and to evaluate the possibility of a larger utilization of computed tomography angiography in Brazil. Eight patients were studied, 7 with nontreated and 1 with a treated aneurysm. The results were compared with those from the medical literature. Tests were performed at a private clinic and in two private hospitals in Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil. There was good correlation between the two investigational methods regarding diagnosis, follow-up and pretreatment evaluation of these lesions. Computed tomography angiography showed to be less invasive, less costly and more accessible. We concluded that computed tomography angiography should be used more often in the evaluation of intracranial aneurysms.

Keywords: Intracranial aneurysm, X-ray computed tomography, Cerebral angiography, Radiology

The authors interviewed 211 medical residents from 44 health care institutions in which Residency in Radiology programs were accredited or had projects recognized by the National Committee of Medical Residency. During these interviews, positive and negative aspects of medical residence in radiology programs were presented along with suggestions of improvement. The residents pointed out the number of exams performed and the diversity of diseases diagnosed as the most relevant features of these programs. One of the negative features appointed by the residents was the excessive number of damaged or obsolete equipment and the lack of some equipment. The most important suggestions pointed out were the interchange of residents among health institutions and the possibility of specific radiology residency activities in scientific meetings. We hope that the aspects and suggestions presented in this paper may contribute for the improvement of Medical Residency in Radiology programs in Brazil.

Keywords: Medical Residency, Radiology, Programs evaluation