Appendiceal endosalpingiosis: clinical presentation and imaging appearance of a rare condition of the appendix.

Endosalpingiosis rarely affects the appendix but can be mistaken for acute appendicitis or appendiceal tumors. The medical literature regarding appendiceal endosalpingiosis is sparse; consisting of only four case reports which are primarily focused on the histopathology but provide little radiologic correlation. Endosalpingiosis is a rare condition characterized by the presence of benign fallopian tubal-like glandular epithelium derived from Mullerian ducts, usually affecting the serosal surfaces of the pelvis and peritoneum. It is histologically differentiated from endometriosis as endosalpingiosis lacks endometrial stroma. Endosalpingiosis tends to affect older women and has been associated with ovarian serous tumors of low malignant potential. After a retrospective review of a pathology database, we present pathologically proven cases of appendiceal endosalpingiosis with correlative imaging. We discuss the clinical presentation, illustrate the CT and MRI appearance, histologic characteristics, and review the current medical literature of appendiceal endosalpingiosis.

Order Entry Protocols Are an Amenable Target for Workflow Automation.

PURPOSE: Order entry protocol selection of advanced imaging studies is labor-intensive, can disrupt workflow, and may displace staff from more valuable tasks. The aim of this study was to explore and compare the behaviors of radiologic technologists and radiologists when determining protocol to identify opportunities for workflow automation. METHODS: A data set of over 273,000 cross-sectional examination orders from four hospitals within our health system was created. From this data set, we isolated the 12 most frequently requested examinations, which represent almost 50% of the entirety of advanced imaging volume. Intergroup comparisons were made between behavior of radiologic technologists and radiologists or residents when determining protocol. Frequencies of changes were calculated. Common parameters of changed examinations were identified. RESULTS: The overall change rate for both radiologists and residents (4%) is very low and comparable to the overall change rate of radiologic technologists (1%). The change rates for the 12 most ordered examinations were calculated and compared individually. Most examinations that underwent change involved a patient with a low estimated glomerular filtration rate, a patient with a contrast allergy, or a provider ordering a general examination but in fact wanting an organ-specific protocol or an angiographic study. CONCLUSION: Order entry protocol selection of the most frequently ordered advanced imaging examinations was rarely a value-added activity because these examinations are rarely changed. Changes follow predictable patterns that make order entry protocol selection of most radiology orders for advanced imaging amenable to workflow automation.