AJR. American journal of roentgenology
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AJR Am J Roentgenol · May 2006
Radiofrequency ablation of peripheral liver tumors: intraperitoneal 5% dextrose in water decreases postprocedural pain.
Our objective was to evaluate the clinical efficacy of the intraperitoneal instillation of 5% dextrose in water (D5W) during radiofrequency ablation of peripheral liver tumors for decreasing postradiofrequency pain and narcotic use. ⋯ Pretreatment with intraperitoneal D5W before radiofrequency ablation of peripheral liver tumors decreased pain, narcotic use, and length of hospital stay. The effect of pretreatment with D5W is greatest in the first 16 hr after the procedure.
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AJR Am J Roentgenol · May 2006
Comparative StudyImaging of lymphatic vessels in breast cancer-related lymphedema: intradermal versus subcutaneous injection of 99mTc-immunoglobulin.
The disordered physiology that results from axillary lymph node clearance surgery for breast cancer and that leads to breast cancer-related lymphedema is poorly understood. Rerouting of lymph around the axilla or through new pathways in the axilla may protect women from breast cancer-related lymphedema. The aim of the study was to compare intradermal with subcutaneous injection of technetium-99m ((99m)Tc)-labeled human polyclonal IgG (HIG) with respect to lymphatic vessel imaging. ⋯ In patients with breast cancer-related lymphedema, lymphatic vessels are more clearly depicted after intradermal than subcutaneous injection as a result of direct access of radiotracer to dermal lymphatics. This finding has implications for imaging lymphatic vessel regeneration and lymph rerouting.
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The objective of our study was to investigate outcome predictors of short- and medium-term therapeutic efficacy of facet joint blocks. ⋯ Facet joint blocks appear to have a beneficial medium-term effect in one third of patients with chronic lower back pain and may therefore be a reasonable adjunct to nonoperative treatment. However, outcome appears to depend on clinical, not on morphologic, imaging findings.
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AJR Am J Roentgenol · May 2006
Comparative StudyAcute pulmonary embolism on MDCT of the chest: prediction of cor pulmonale and short-term patient survival from morphologic embolus burden.
To predict cor pulmonale and short-term outcome in patients with pulmonary embolism (PE), we retrospectively investigated three morphology-based MDCT systems for scoring pulmonary artery obstruction. ⋯ Mastora score was a significant predictor of cor pulmonale and short-term outcome and may therefore allow therapy and risk stratification in patients with acute PE.
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AJR Am J Roentgenol · May 2006
Case ReportsSaline-infused bipolar radiofrequency ablation of high-risk spinal and paraspinal neoplasms.
We present three cases of symptomatic high-risk metastases involving the vertebral body treated using infused bipolar radiofrequency ablation either alone or in combination with vertebroplasty. ⋯ In our experience, the bipolar technique can reduce the risk of spinal cord damage in radiofrequency ablation of lesions within 1 cm of neural structures and involving paravertebral soft tissue.