Birmingham orthopaedic team creates online tool to help the management of cartilage tumours
The musculoskeletal radiology department at Royal Orthopaedic Hospital (ROH), Birmingham, has introduced bactip.co.uk, a website designed to enhance the diagnosis and management of cartilage tumours.
BACTIP (Birmingham Atypical Cartilage Tumour Imaging Protocol) provides healthcare professionals with a user platform that equips them with the tools and knowledge to navigate the complexities of central cartilage tumours. By offering drawings and real case examples, the website serves as a resource for interpreting MRI findings related to these tumours, assisting accurate and consistent reporting. Developed collaboratively by experts in the field, the website offers an approach for assessing, diagnosing and monitoring these lesions.
One of the features is an integrated calculator, which streamlines the grading process based on tumour characteristics, such as size, endosteal scalloping and aggressiveness. This tool aims to simplify decision-making processes for healthcare professionals dealing with cartilage tumours, reducing subjective differences. Whether it involves suggesting a referral to an oncology specialist or discharging a patient from surveillance monitoring, the developers say the protocol provides a detailed framework customised for each case.
The ROH musculoskeletal radiology team said of the free resource: “This initiative reflects our commitment to openness, making sure that healthcare professionals worldwide can access our cutting-edge knowledge and best practices without any barriers. Our dedication to spreading knowledge and best practices aligns with our shared goal of enhancing patient outcomes on a global scale.”
Pictures: Screenshots from the BACTIP online tool.
Published on page 12 of the April 2024 issue of RAD Magazine.