Contrast media use in radiation oncology: A prospective, controlled educational intervention study with retrospective analysis of patient outcomes Journal Article


Authors: Barker, C. A.; Mutter, R. W.; Shapiro, L. Q.; Zhang, Z.; Wolden, S. L.; Yahalom, J.
Article Title: Contrast media use in radiation oncology: A prospective, controlled educational intervention study with retrospective analysis of patient outcomes
Abstract: Purpose Intravenous contrast media (ICM) administration is recommended as part of radiation therapy simulation in a variety of clinical scenarios but can cause adverse events. The aims of this study were to assess radiation oncology residents' knowledge about ICM and to determine if an educational intervention (EI) could improve this level of knowledge. In conjunction, risk factors and adverse events related to ICM use were retrospectively analyzed before and after the EI to determine whether any improvements in patient outcomes could be realized. Methods Over 2 years, 21 residents in radiation oncology at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center participated in a pretest-EI-posttest study based on the ACR's Manual on Contrast Media. Medical and radiation therapy records were reviewed, and ICM use, risk factors, and adverse events were recorded. Results There was no significant difference in residents' understanding of ICM use in residents of different years of training (P = .85). Understanding of ICM use increased in residents who attended the EI (P < .05), but this was not sustained 1 year after the EI (P = .48). Of the 6,852 radiation therapy simulations that were performed at Memorial Sloan-Kettering, 1,350 (19.7%) involved ICM. Mild adverse events occurred in a few patients (<5%) simulated with ICM, but there was no difference in the number of risk factors or adverse events before and after the EI. Conclusions The EI effectively improved short-term understanding of ICM use. However, the effect was not sustained. The frequency of adverse events related to ICM use was small and not significantly affected by the EI. © 2010 American College of Radiology.
Keywords: adult; cancer radiotherapy; risk factor; simulation; adverse outcome; resident; radiation oncology; educational intervention; contrast medium; contrast media; residency education; adverse event
Journal Title: Journal of the American College of Radiology
Volume: 7
Issue: 12
ISSN: 1546-1440
Publisher: Elsevier Science, Inc.  
Date Published: 2010-12-01
Start Page: 967
End Page: 974
Language: English
DOI: 10.1016/j.jacr.2010.05.020
PROVIDER: scopus
PUBMED: 21129689
PMCID: PMC4714859
DOI/URL:
Notes: --- - "Export Date: 20 April 2011" - "Source: Scopus"
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MSK Authors
  1. Zhigang Zhang
    427 Zhang
  2. Joachim Yahalom
    625 Yahalom
  3. Suzanne L Wolden
    560 Wolden
  4. Christopher Barker
    218 Barker
  5. Lauren Shapiro
    12 Shapiro
  6. Robert Wesley Mutter
    17 Mutter