#RSNA22#RSNA2022 diaries:
Conversations between MP and IM (Imaging Modality)
IM: Hey doc, why do u guys insist on placing Aluminum (Al) or Copper (Cu) filters in front of my mouth?
MP: It is mainly to filter out some of the lower energy x-rays coming out of Ur mouth. @RSNA
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MP: Lower energy x-rays only increases patient skin dose & do not contribute to the overall image quality. Hence, by placing certain thickness of filter materials, we shape x-ray beam coming out of Ur mouth.
IM: Well, then why do U use only Al or Cu, why not Pb?
MP: Because Lead is used to stop all x-rays. In fact, Pb is used in collimator housing to shape the x-ray beam coming out of your mouth, so that it is within the desired region. On the other hand, Al or Cu is used to filter out lower energy x-rays, making beam harder.
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MP: In fact, regulations (US FDA) require that if you (Radiography or Fluoroscopy) are operated at 80 kV, Half-Value-Layer (HVL) should be at a minimum 2.9mm
IM: BTW, what is HVL? Why do I need so much filtration?
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MP: Buddy, I need to head out to @McCormick_Place - . Why don't U sign up for my office hour, happy to explain what HVL is all about when I return !
IM: Will do as u say doc. Have a good meeting & btw if u spend time in technical exhibit check all the newbies displayed there
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MP is in a zoom meeting w #breast radiologist but was interrupted by DBT
DBT: Hey doc, how is it going @RSNA
MP: Hi there, nice of you to interrupt our mtg, was it so important!
DBT:Digital Breast Tomosynthesis
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DBT: No doc, but our 2Dmammo were sharing Ur tweets of Chicago yesterday w #Biopsy & me, so I wanted to ask if u are working hard or hardly working
MP: Well “all work no play makes Jack (in my case ‘a Desi’) a dull boy”, so yesterday was fun but today was all work @aapmHQ
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DBT: I heard @DrLizMorris who came to @Hopkins_Rad was a key note speaker today
MP: Hi ‘Rad’ excuse us. Yes, I just returning from her talk. Girl, you would have loved it. She really talked about what Y’all do for breast cancer detection
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O-arm: Hey doc, what is “Air-KARMA”? Until now I heard ‘Good Karma’ or ‘Bad Karma’, & am sure you doc have lot of ‘Good Karma’, then why introduce a new term ‘air-kerma’?
MP (smiling): Dude, it is not “Air-Karma”, it is “Air- KERMA (Kinetic Energy Released per Unit Mass)”. If you asked any of my residents, they would have told U.
Air-Kerma is measure of x-ray beam intensity measured w ion-chamber which aides to estimate patient risk. @ICRP
MP: In fact, I am here to measure the ‘air-Kerma’ for Ur system
O-arm: Thanks! then why “air-Kerma” is always expressed in “milli-Gray”?
MP: Hello buddy why are U groaning, CT techs called me to come & check u out
MDCT: What can I say doc? I feel “imposter syndrome”, even though I scan as many patients as they put through, I feel I am not appreciated 1/ @RSNA
MDCT: I feel that I am not appreciated, because of that I feel very inadequate.
MP: It is quite normal. I feel quite the same often. But we can’t let it dwell in our mind. BTW, glad you spill out what you feel, I am here to talk you through.
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MP: U have to be proud of Ur actions. U scan >50 patients in a day, only limited by how fast our techs can put patients through
MDCT: That is one thing, even though I scan >50 patients, but my cousin MRI gets all the credit
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#RSNA2022 diaries:
Conversations between C-arm & MP
C-arm: Hey doc! I see that you are heading to @RSNA mtg.
MP: How did u know buddy?
C-arm: Well my cousin in Chicago told that they are expecting a large crowd coming to town. Also I see you humming & running
MP:Correct
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C-arm: when you are there doc, check out the #AI lane of exhibits
MP: why are you interested?
C-arm: it’s a long story doc. First we heard that they are putting on #AI in our new cousins telling it will make them less noisy
MP: why do you think it is bad?
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MP: Doesn’t it allow you to less #radiation which will help our patients & bring y’all good name?
C-arm: Doc, if it was only that, we are happy. But #AI guys have gone too far
MP:How?
C-arm: Doc, didn’t you see recent study from #Finland
MP: Yes, I read it
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#RSNA2022 diaries:
Conversation between MP & MRI
MRI (3T): Hey doc! U seem excited, r u heading to @RSNA meeting?
MP: Yes, u know its my yearly pilgrimage time
3T: I am kind of jealous doc
MP: Why?
3T: I read your comments about scarcity of Helium, which we need a lot
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3T: We need lot of helium, but I heard they are showing new MRI scanners that uses much less or almost no #helium than us. Both 1.5T and I are worried that we will soon become extinct
MP: I wouldn't worry much about that buddy. I am looking forward to checking new things...
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MP: But they are years to come. Only very low field MR scanners (<0.5T) are rolled out that have permanent magnet & not strong like u guys!
3T: Either way let me know what you think when you return. I need to update my MRI Union people
MP: Ok, I will sure do
3T: Good trip doc!
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Friday Night Dish:
Pumpkin Palaya (ಕುಂಬಳಕಾಯಿ ಪಲ್ಯ)
With:
A: Pumpkin (1/2 of medium size)
B: Seasoning items: Mustard, Cumin seeds, Urad dal, Red chillies
C: Jaggery (sugar), Asteofitida (Hing/ ಹಿಂಗು)
D: Ginger, Curry leaves & finely chopped coriander
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Process: 1.Skin the pumpkin (ಕುಂಬಳಕಾಯಿ) carefully – remove any seeds and residues
2.Cut pumpkin into small cubes (1”x1”x1”)
3.Steam for softness (make sure not to overcook-check by piercing the pieces)
4.Season w mustard, cumin seeds, urad dal, red-chillies
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5.Add green-chillies to your taste & ginger
6.Pour the soft cut pumpkin pieces & mix
7.Add pinch of Asteofitida (ಹಿಂಗು) powder & red-chilli powder (for more spice)
8.Add salt – T-spoon of lemon juice
9.Sprinkle finely chopped coriander