AJR. American journal of roentgenology
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AJR Am J Roentgenol · Feb 2010
Acute adverse reactions to gadopentetate dimeglumine and gadobenate dimeglumine: experience with 32,659 injections.
The purpose of this study was to retrospectively assess the frequency, manifestations, and severity of acute adverse reactions associated with administration of two gadolinium-based contrast agents to patients who underwent MRI at a single large academic institution. ⋯ The rates of acute adverse reactions to gadopentetate dimeglumine and gadobenate dimeglumine were 0.14% and 0.28%, respectively. The overall adverse reaction rate was 0.16% in our patient sample. Direct comparison of adverse reaction rates of the two agents was not possible because of the retrospective uncontrolled study design.
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AJR Am J Roentgenol · Feb 2010
Differentiation of pleural effusions from parenchymal opacities: accuracy of bedside chest radiography.
The purpose of this study was to determine, with CT as the reference standard, the ability of radiologists to detect pleural effusions on bedside chest radiographs. ⋯ Radiologists interpreting bedside chest radiographs of ICU patients detect large pleural effusions 92% of the time and can exclude large effusions with high confidence. However, small and medium effusions often are misdiagnosed as parenchymal opacities (45%) or are not seen (55%). Pulmonary opacities often are missed (34%) but are rarely misdiagnosed as pleural effusions (7%).
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AJR Am J Roentgenol · Feb 2010
Tracheal stricture and fistula: management with a barbed silicone-covered retrievable expandable nitinol stent.
The purpose of this study was to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of a barbed silicone-covered retrievable expandable nitinol stent in preventing stent migration in patients with tracheal strictures or fistulas. ⋯ Use of a barbed silicone-covered retrievable expandable nitinol stent relieves dyspnea and facilitates fistula closure in patients with benign or malignant tracheal strictures or fistulas. The barbed design of the stent is important in preventing migration.
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AJR Am J Roentgenol · Feb 2010
Microbiologic contamination and time efficiency of use of automatic MDCT injectors with prefilled syringes: Results of a clinical investigation.
Multiple use of syringes in automatic injectors is considered to place patients at risk of septic complications. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the microbiologic contamination and time efficiency associated with routine clinical use of single-use prefilled disposable syringes for contrast administration. ⋯ Use of prefilled contrast syringes with single-use saline syringes is associated with time-efficient assembly of injection systems and prevents microbiologic contamination in clinical routine, especially in the care of immunocompromised patients.
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AJR Am J Roentgenol · Feb 2010
Do additional views improve the diagnostic performance of cervical spine radiography in pediatric trauma?
The aims of this study were to measure the diagnostic performances of lateral views alone and multiple radiographic views of the cervical spine in comparison with MDCT scans in pediatric trauma and to determine whether evaluation of additional views, in relation to lateral views alone, improves the performance of radiography. ⋯ Lateral view radiographs had a borderline acceptable sensitivity to cervical spine abnormalities in pediatric patients compared with MDCT. The addition of other radiographic views did not seem to improve the diagnostic performance of radiography.