Journal of computer assisted tomography
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J Comput Assist Tomogr · Mar 1992
CT measurement of the calcaneal varus angle in the normal and fractured hindfoot.
The calcaneal varus angle is an important parameter used by orthopedic surgeons in their assessment of calcaneal fractures, and restoration of this angle is a major goal in the intraoperative reduction of such fractures. Plain radiographic techniques for the measurement of this angle may be difficult to apply. It is much simpler to measure this angle on CT, which is superior in demonstrating the complex anatomy of the calcaneus. ⋯ These measurements provide preliminary normative data for three methods of estimating the calcaneal varus angle in the normal and fractured hindfoot. These may be of value not only in the surgical restoration of the normal anatomic alignment of the fractured hindfoot but also in the preoperative assessment of congenital foot abnormalities. Although clinical validation is not yet available, our study suggests that the axial calcaneocuboid angle has several significant advantages over the other two methods.
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J Comput Assist Tomogr · Jan 1992
Signal-to-noise and contrast in fast spin echo (FSE) and inversion recovery FSE imaging.
Fast spin echo (FSE) imaging has recently experienced a renewed enthusiasm in the clinical setting for its ability to provide high contrast T2-weighted images in short imaging times. This article evaluates the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) and contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR) properties of the FSE sequence, inversion recovery (IR) FSE sequence, and conventional SE imaging. The results indicate that FSE imaging displays similar contrast properties to SE imaging, but that the SNR and CNR are improved secondary to the longer TRs and longer effective TEs that may be used. ⋯ The addition of a slice selective inversion pulse in IR-FSE allows rapid generation of IR images with image contrast similar to that of conventional IR sequences. When used with a multicoil array for abdominal, pelvic, and spine imaging, the IR-FSE sequence produces images that are virtually free of motion artifact from the subcutaneous fat immediately adjacent to the coils. Both FSE and IR-FSE, when compared with SE imaging, provide superior image contrast and SNR in reduced imaging time.
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J Comput Assist Tomogr · Jan 1992
Case ReportsMyxopapillary ependymoma with extensive sacral destruction: CT and MR findings.
There have been few reports documenting primary myxopapillary ependymomas in the sacrococcygeal region that result in extensive involvement of the sacrum. We present a 21-year-old man whose CT and MR findings showed massive bony destruction of the sacrum and a large lobulated soft tissue mass. Myxopapillary ependymoma should be included along with giant cell tumor, chordoma, and aneurysmal bone cyst in the differential diagnosis of a destructive osteolytic sacral lesion.
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J Comput Assist Tomogr · Jan 1992
Significance of bowel wall enhancement on CT following blunt abdominal trauma in childhood.
Over a 3-year period, 12 children with blunt abdominal trauma were noted to have intense bowel wall enhancement (BWE) on CT. In four, with fatal CNS injury, there was no evidence of bowel perforation, and the changes may be related to the hypovolemic complex. In the remaining eight patients with a gastrointestinal perforation, BWE was associated with the presence of diffuse or focal bowel wall thickening and free peritoneal fluid. ⋯ When combined with bowel thickening and free fluid, perforation and peritonitis should be strongly suggested. Enhancement and thickening should suggest perforation even if other visceral injury is present to account for the free fluid. Surgical intervention should thus be more strongly considered when bowel wall thickening accompanies BWE.
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Medical records and radiologic studies of 238 patients with non-small cell lung cancer who had preoperative evaluation by chest radiography and CT were reviewed. Thirty-six patients were staged as T1N0M0 by chest radiograph. ⋯ Evidence for unresectable spread of disease was obtained in 12 (33%). We conclude that routine preoperative staging of T1N0M0 lung cancer with CT has a positive impact on patient management.