ORCID Profile
0000-0001-6655-8566
Current Organisation
Royal Brisbane and Women's Hospital
Does something not look right? The information on this page has been harvested from data sources that may not be up to date. We continue to work with information providers to improve coverage and quality. To report an issue, use the Feedback Form.
Publisher: Wiley
Date: 25-08-2022
DOI: 10.1002/JMRS.616
Abstract: Evidence‐based practice in radiography is an emerging practice, due to a lack of evidence. Beyond the diagnostic requirements of the examination, imaging technique decisions are guided by the radiographer's tertiary education and clinical experience. Imaging technique decisions should include all aspects of evidence‐based practice: research‐based evidence, patient circumstances and clinical experience. Previous research suggests radiographers do to not fully engage with the latter, which may jeopardise progress in the field and lead to outdated practices and suboptimal outcomes for patients. This study aimed to examine the motivators and influences involved in radiographers' decision‐making when modifying imaging acquisition techniques. An exploratory descriptive, inductive qualitative interview‐based design was used with a convenience s le of radiographers from three public hospital sites in Queensland. Twelve one‐on‐one semi‐structured interviews were performed via video conference, the data were analysed through thematic analysis. Five themes emerged from the data: advancement of technology experience rather than evidence radiology's influence on radiographic practice information sources and image quality. The pursuit of image quality was the key motivator and criterion that influenced radiographers' choices in imaging technique modification. Interviewees did not engage routinely with research‐based evidence, preferring to rely on empirical observations and professional experience. The exclusion of research‐based evidence can lead to outdated and ineffective clinical decisions. Further work is needed to promote more research in the field of radiography and increase the willingness and capacity of radiographers to follow the principles of evidence‐based practice.
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Date: 13-05-2022
DOI: 10.1007/S00261-022-03528-Y
Abstract: To establish if virtual non-contrast (VNC) images generated from contrast-enhanced detector-based spectral CT could replace true non-contrast (TNC) imaging for the characterisation of adrenal masses. TNC and VNC images were retrospectively reviewed for 39 patients with one or more adrenal lesions who underwent contrast-enhanced spectral CT of the upper abdomen. Lesions were categorised as either 'adenoma' or 'indeterminate/other lesion' based on current reference standards. The CT density of each lesion was measured on both image sets by two readers and compared using Wilcoxon signed-rank test. ROC analysis with Youden's J index method was performed to determine the optimal attenuation cut-off for diagnosing benign adenoma on VNC images. Forty-four lesions were included, 37 of which were diagnosed as adenomas. There were significant differences between TNC and VNC measurements for both readers (mean difference 9.1 HU for reader 1 9.8 HU for reader 2 p < 0.01). Optimal attenuation thresholds for diagnosing adenomas on VNC were 25.3 HU (reader 1) and 23.9 HU (reader 2) for the entire population, and 18.3 HU (reader 1) and 19.7 HU (reader 2) for lipid-rich adenomas < 10 HU on TNC imaging. There is insufficient evidence to support the use of VNC as a substitute for TNC images in the characterisation of adrenal lesions. VNC using a detector-based spectral CT scanner shows a predictable increase in attenuation values compared to TNC. Thus, future studies might be better directed towards finding a new threshold value for diagnosing benign adrenal adenomas on VNC imaging.
Publisher: Mary Ann Liebert Inc
Date: 08-2016
Abstract: This exploratory study examined the association between exposure to stressful life events, polymorphisms (rs165774 and rs4680) in the catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT) gene, and risk of depression in women. A cross-sectional design gathered information from 150 Australia women, aged 60-70 years, on sociodemographics, stressful life events, and depressive symptoms. Participants also provided buccal cell swabs for genetic analysis. Among women exposed to stressful life events, the odds of depressive symptoms increased by 18% with each additional exposure (95% confidence interval [95% CI] 1.04-1.33, p = 0.007). Women who carried at least one "A" allele (AA/AG) for both rs165774 and rs4680 single nucleotide polymorphisms were less likely to report depressive symptoms (compared with women with the GG genotype p = 0.019 and p = 0.037, respectively), although moderation analysis did not support the hypotheses of an interaction with stressful life events (rs165774: odds ratio [OR] = 1.13, 95% CI 0.87-1.46, p = 0.347 rs4680: OR = 1.15, 95% CI 0.91-1.44, p = 0.238). Our research suggests that women with polymorphisms in COMT were less susceptible to depressive symptoms but these polymorphisms do not appear to influence susceptibility to depression in those exposed to life stressors. Further research should consider other genetic variants in catecholamine pathways and their potential impact on women's mental health.
Publisher: Wiley
Date: 19-09-2023
DOI: 10.1002/JMRS.725
Publisher: Wiley
Date: 07-07-2021
DOI: 10.1002/JMRS.525
Abstract: Prospectively gated 64‐slice CT coronary angiography (CTCA) may be contraindicated for heart rates (HRs) over 65 beats per minute (bpm) due to reduced diagnostic sensitivity. Newer CT scanners typically provide 128 or more slices and superior temporal resolution compared with older models consequently, diagnostic accuracy for current technology prospectively gated CTCA may be adequate at HRs above 65 bpm. The aim of this systematic review was to investigate the diagnostic accuracy of CTCA using 128‐slice or greater CT technology when compared with conventional coronary angiography for patients with HRs bpm. A systematic search of PubMed, CINAHL, EMBASE and Scopus was performed as well as unpublished databases, sources and reference lists. Titles and abstracts were screened by two independent reviewers. Full‐text screening was then performed. Studies that determined diagnostic accuracy of coronary artery stenosis in adult patients with high heart rates utilising prospectively gated 128 detector or greater scanners were included. Studies that were included in the review underwent critical appraisal using the QUADAS‐2 tool. Ten studies were included in the systematic review, with nine of these included in a diagnostic test accuracy meta‐analysis, including six of which reported data at the patient level. Meta‐analysis indicated very high pooled sensitivity 100% (95% CI 0.99, 1.00) however, pooled specificity was less at 79% (95% CI 0.69, 0.88). Prospectively gated CT coronary angiography may be justifiable at heart rates above 65 bpm if performed on a 128‐slice or greater CT unit. Caution regarding the implication of a positive result is recommended due to reduced specificity. Further evidence is required before consideration of a new higher heart threshold.
No related grants have been discovered for Karen Dobeli.