AJR. American journal of roentgenology
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AJR Am J Roentgenol · Apr 1999
Sonography in a clinical algorithm for early evaluation of 1671 patients with blunt abdominal trauma.
The purpose of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of sonography in our algorithm when differentiating patients with blunt abdominal trauma who need immediate surgery from patients who would benefit from further diagnostic workup or who need no treatment. ⋯ Our algorithm that uses sonography as the primary diagnostic tool provides accurate, fast, cost-effective, and noninvasive initial management of patients with blunt abdominal trauma. Our test characteristics were excellent indicators of the need for emergency laparotomy. Sonography also achieves high values in revealing relevant injury. Our algorithm produced medically satisfactory and economically prudent management of patients with blunt abdominal trauma.
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AJR Am J Roentgenol · Apr 1999
External validation of the Ottawa knee rules in an urban trauma center in the United States.
We evaluated the Ottawa knee rules in a high-volume teaching hospital in the United States to determine whether the rules could be safely used to decide whether patients with acute blunt knee trauma should undergo radiography. ⋯ The Ottawa knee rules are highly sensitive for fracture in this setting and may safely be used to decide whether patients with acute blunt knee trauma should undergo radiography.
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AJR Am J Roentgenol · Apr 1999
Pneumothoraces and chest tube placement after CT-guided transthoracic lung biopsy using a coaxial technique: incidence and risk factors.
This study investigates factors influencing the risk of pneumothorax and chest tube placement in patients undergoing CT-guided transthoracic lung biopsy for pulmonary lesions using a coaxial technique. ⋯ Lesion depth is the predominant risk factor for pneumothorax in patients undergoing CT-guided transthoracic lung biopsy. Chest tube placement is necessary more frequently in patients with severe emphysema, obstructive lung disease, or hyperinflation.