AJR. American journal of roentgenology
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AJR Am J Roentgenol · Dec 2011
Immediate complications and pain relief associated with 296 fluoroscopically guided thoracic foraminal nerve blocks.
The goal of this work is to review the thoracic foraminal nerve blocks and foraminal epidurals performed at a single institution to determine the incidence and types of immediate complications and pain relief associated with thoracic foraminal nerve blocks. ⋯ Fluoroscopically guided thoracic foraminal nerve blocks are safe procedures and provide immediate partial or complete pain relief in a high percentage of patients.
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AJR Am J Roentgenol · Dec 2011
Reversed halo sign in active pulmonary tuberculosis: criteria for differentiation from cryptogenic organizing pneumonia.
The purpose of this study was to compare the morphologic characteristics of the "reversed halo" sign caused by tuberculosis with those caused by cryptogenic organizing pneumonia (COP) and to determine whether high-resolution CT (HRCT) can differentiate between these two conditions. ⋯ Although COP is considered the most frequent cause of the reversed halo sign, the presence of nodular walls or nodules inside the reversed halo strongly favors a diagnosis of active pulmonary tuberculosis rather than COP.
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AJR Am J Roentgenol · Dec 2011
Popliteal node visualization during standard pedal lymphoscintigraphy for a swollen limb indicates impaired lymph drainage.
The objective of our study was to examine the frequency and significance of visualization of popliteal nodes during lymphoscintigraphy for the investigation of lower extremity swelling. ⋯ Popliteal node visualization after subcutaneous foot web space injection is an important sign of abnormal lymphatic function in patients with clinical lymphedema of the lower extremities.
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AJR Am J Roentgenol · Dec 2011
Appropriateness of CT of the chest, abdomen, and pelvis in motorized blunt force trauma patients without signs of significant injury.
The purpose of this article is to determine the frequency of clinically significant injuries detected on CT of the chest, abdomen, and pelvis in adult patients involved in motorized blunt force trauma with normal clinical examinations. ⋯ The clinical yield of performing CT of the chest, abdomen, and pelvis in motorized blunt trauma patients with normal clinical examinations in our study was minimal.
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AJR Am J Roentgenol · Dec 2011
Catheter-induced aortic dissection after invasive coronary angiography: evaluation with MDCT.
The purpose of this study was to describe the MDCT findings of retrograde aortic extension of catheter-induced coronary artery dissection and the use of MDCT in follow-up of this complication. ⋯ Coronary artery dissection with aortic extension can be a fatal although infrequent complication. The coronary artery entry point is usually stented in the catheterization laboratory. Thereafter, CT is the imaging modality of choice for immediate confirmation of the presence of residual iatrogenic aortic dissection and evaluation of its extent and later noninvasive follow-up.