Self-compassion and psychological well-being of radiographers at work.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to assess how self-compassion affects the psychological well-being of radiographers at work. METHODS: An online survey was sent to radiology and radiotherapy departments in Rhône-Alpes, a region of France (from October 2021 to February 2022). The study is mixed: quantitative data, with closed questions and two validated scales, and qualitative data, with open questions aimed at assessing perceptions among radiologists as regards self-compassion. RESULTS: A total of 253 radiographers (mean age 32.9 years), took part in this survey. Radiographers reported a poor level of well-being and a moderate level of self-compassion. We found a link between well-being at work and self-compassion. Gender, age, number of years of experience and the desire to receive training on well-being appear to have an impact on the level of self-compassion. The perception of self-compassion by radiologists is essentially positive. CONCLUSION: Particular attention should be paid to radiologists who are female, young, and with only a few years of experience. Self-compassion is a protective factor for radiologists and may help them take care of themselves to continue caring for others. Training related to self-compassion should be promoted in medical imaging departments.

Vacuum-assisted breast biopsies. Experience at the Antoine Lacassagne Cancer Center (Nice, France).

This article presents the results of the first 318 aspiration-guided breast macrobiopsies performed using a dedicated table at the Antoine Lacassagne Cancer Center (Nice, France) between January 2001 and November 2002. A total of 288 procedures (90%) was performed for microcalcifications whereas that of 30 (10%) was performed for isolated opacities. There were 170 American College of Radiology (ACR) Category 4 (53.45%), 35 ACR 5 (11%), 111 ACR 3 (34.9%), and 2 ACR 2 lesions. There were 233 benign lesions that included 19 cases of atypical epithelial hyperplasia. Of the 85 malignant lesions, 33 had an invasive component. Seven of the atypical epithelial hyperplasia cases and all of the malignant lesions were managed surgically. Atypical epithelial hyperplasia was underestimated in 28.57% of the cases; ductal carcinomas in situ, in 21.15%. The positive predictive value of ACR 4 for the diagnosis of malignancy was 24.7% (42/128 cases), versus that of 12.6% for ACR 3 (14/97 cases). Among the 233 benign lesions, 128 were classified as ACR 4 and 6 as ACR 5 (all of these procedures obviated surgery). The advantages, drawbacks, and limitations of the technique are analyzed and indications are discussed, particularly for ACR 3 lesions.

Phalangeal microgeodic syndrome and pine processionary caterpillar.

We describe an 11-month-old-girl with a 1-month history of edematous fingers. She had been hospitalized 3 months before for a mucocutaneous reaction to a processionary caterpillar. Manifestations of arthritis or systemic illness were absent. Radiographs of fingers showed small round lytic lesions within the middle and distal phalanges. A diagnosis of 'Phalangeal Microgeodic Syndrome' (PMS) was established. Bone biopsy of an osteolytic lesion showed fibrosis and foreign bodies with hair aspect surrounded by an epithelioid granuloma. PMS signs include sub-acute swelling and redness of fingers associated with microgeodic osteolytic lesions of phalanges. Sickle-cell anemia, syphilis, osteomyelitis, tuberculosis and sarcoidosis are the main differential diagnoses to exclude. The etiology is still unknown. Circulatory disturbances in the phalanges exposed to low temperatures have been mentioned by several authors. We describe the first case of PMS in a child with a clear history of play with a caterpillar and the presence of a caterpillar hair with epithelioid granuloma in an osteolytic lesion.

[Lemierre syndrome: unusual, but still possible]. / Le syndrome de Lemierre: exceptionnel, mais encore possible.

Lemierre syndrome is a rare disease, which was life-threatening before the antibiotics era. We report here two cases with favorable outcome. Clinical features are stereotypic: tonsillis, cervical pain revealing deep vein thrombosis, and pulmonary septic metastasis. The most frequent causal germ on blood cultures is Fusobacterium necrophorum but other anaerobial bacteries can be found. Cervical Doppler-ultrasonography, and thoracic tomodensitometry are useful. Medical treatment is antibiotic therapy and anticoagulation.