La Radiologia medica
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La Radiologia medica · Apr 2013
Malpractice claims in interventional radiology: frequency, characteristics and protective measures.
The use of interventional radiology procedures has considerably increased in recent years, as has the number of related medicolegal litigations. This study aimed to highlight the problems underlying malpractice claims in interventional radiology and to assess the importance of the informed consent process. ⋯ Litigation prevention largely depends on both reducing the rate of medical error and providing the patient with correct and coherent information. Adopting good radiological practices, scrupulous review of procedures and efficiency of the instruments used and audit of organisational and management processes are all factors that can help reduce the likelihood of error. Improving communication techniques while safeguarding the patient's right to autonomy also implies adopting clear and rigorous processes for obtaining the patient's informed consent to the medical procedure.
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La Radiologia medica · Apr 2013
Comparative StudyChest MR imaging in the follow-up of pulmonary alterations in paediatric patients with middle lobe syndrome: comparison with chest X-ray.
The authors evaluated the role of magnetic resonance (MR) imaging of the chest in comparison with chest X-ray in the follow-up of pulmonary abnormalities detected by computed tomography (CT) in paediatric patients with middle lobe syndrome. ⋯ Patients with middle lobe syndrome show a wide range of parenchymal and bronchial abnormalities at diagnosis. Compared with MR imaging, chest X-ray seems to underestimate these changes. Chest MR imaging might represent a feasible and radiation-free option for an overall assessment of the lung in the follow-up of patients with middle lobe syndrome.
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La Radiologia medica · Apr 2013
Interventional radiology in the treatment of early postoperative biliary complications.
We sought to evaluate the feasibility and efficacy of percutaneous treatment of early postoperative biliary complications. The primary aims were to evaluate clinical and technical success and complications and perioperative mortality, and secondary aims were to evaluate treatment duration and recurrence rate. ⋯ Percutaneous procedures are feasible, effective and safe for treating early postoperative biliary complications. They provide a valuable alternative to presendoscopy, which is precluded in many of these patients, and to surgery, which has higher morbidity and mortality rates.
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La Radiologia medica · Mar 2013
Lung ultrasound in diagnosing and monitoring pulmonary interstitial fluid.
Chronic heart failure is a complex clinical syndrome often characterised by recurrent episodes of acute decompensation. This is acknowledged as a major public health problem, leading to a steadily increasing number of hospitalisations in developed countries. In decompensated heart failure, the redistribution of fluids into the pulmonary vascular bed leads to respiratory failure, a common cause of presentation to the emergency department. ⋯ The latest developments in lung US are not because of technological advance but are based on new applications and discovering the meanings of specific sonographic artefacts designated as B-lines. Real-time sonography of the lung targeted to detection of B-lines allows bedside diagnosis of respiratory failure due to impairment of cardiac function, as well as quantification and monitoring of pulmonary interstitial fluid. Lung US saves time and cost, provides immediate information to the clinician and relies on very easy-to-acquire and highly reproducible data.
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La Radiologia medica · Mar 2013
Accuracy of radiography, computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging in diagnosing foreign bodies in the foot.
The purpose of this study was to determine the accuracy of conventional radiography, computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in detecting foreign bodies by using cadaver feet. ⋯ Radiography, CT and MRI are highly specific in detecting foreign bodies but sensitivity is poor. The detection rate depends on the type of foreign body for all techniques and on location for radiography. To identify foreign bodies with MRI, pulse sequences should be used to enhance the susceptibility artefact. In water-rich wood, as in chronically retained wood, CT is more accurate than MRI.