AJR. American journal of roentgenology
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AJR Am J Roentgenol · Feb 2011
Spinal cord stimulators: typical positioning and postsurgical complications.
Implantation of a spinal cord stimulator (SCS) is one option for pain control in individuals with chronic lumbosacral radicular or axial lumbar pain. The expected positioning of SCSs based on the location of pain, the types of electrodes (percutaneous vs surgical paddle), and the types of electrode arrays and the potential complications have not been described to date in the radiology literature. ⋯ Radiologists should be familiar with the different types of electrodes and typical spinal locations of electrodes, leads, and implantable pulse generators. Improper placement of electrodes may lead to ineffective pain relief or to other complications.
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AJR Am J Roentgenol · Jan 2011
Comparative StudyProstate cancer: comparison of tumor visibility on trace diffusion-weighted images and the apparent diffusion coefficient map.
The purpose of our study was to compare the visibility of prostate cancer on trace diffusion-weighted (DW) images and the apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) map. ⋯ Given a greater proportion of tumors visible on the ADC map than trace DWI and greater contrast relative to benign PZ on the ADC map, we suggest that, when performing DWI of the prostate, careful attention be given to the ADC map for tumor identification.
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AJR Am J Roentgenol · Jan 2011
Diagnostic value of peritumoral minimum apparent diffusion coefficient for differentiation of glioblastoma multiforme from solitary metastatic lesions.
In glioblastoma multiforme, the peritumoral region may be infiltrated with malignant cells in addition to vasogenic edema, whereas in a metastatic deposit, the peritumoral areas comprise predominantly vasogenic edema. The purpose of this study was to determine whether the minimum apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) can be used to differentiate glioblastoma from solitary metastasis on the basis of cellularity levels in the enhancing tumor and in the peritumoral region. ⋯ Although the characteristics of solitary metastasis and glioblastoma multiforme may be similar on conventional MRI, DWI can offer diagnostic information to distinguish between the tumors.
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AJR Am J Roentgenol · Dec 2010
Cumulative effective dose associated with radiography and CT of adolescents with spinal injuries.
The purpose of this study was to analyze the quantity and distribution of cumulative effective doses in diagnostic imaging of adolescents with spinal injuries. ⋯ Adolescents with spinal injuries receive a cumulative effective dose equal to that of adult trauma patients and nearly three times that of pediatric trauma patients. Areas of focus in lowering cumulative effective dose should be appropriate initial estimation of trauma severity and careful selection of CT scan parameters.