AJR. American journal of roentgenology
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AJR Am J Roentgenol · Feb 2010
Success of a safe and simple algorithm to reduce use of CT pulmonary angiography in the emergency department.
The purpose of our study was to determine whether the radiation exposure to patients with suspected pulmonary embolism (PE) could be decreased by safely increasing the use of ventilation-perfusion (V/Q) scanning and decreasing the use of CT pulmonary angiography (CTPA) through an educational intervention. ⋯ The practice patterns of physicians changed in response to an educational intervention, resulting in a reduction in radiation exposure to emergency department patients with suspected PE without compromising patient safety.
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The purpose of this article is to review the ultrasound characteristics of ovarian and adnexal masses and to discuss the prediction of the likelihood of ovarian cancer based on these characteristics and clinical parameters. ⋯ Ultrasound characteristics can be used to diagnose the classic-appearing nonneoplastic entities, benign neoplasms and malignancies. In cases in which the appearance of an ovarian mass is not classic, assignment of relative risk of malignancy using a multiparametric model is appropriate and beneficial for patient management.
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AJR Am J Roentgenol · Feb 2010
Comparative StudyProstate cancer: Comparison of 3D T2-weighted with conventional 2D T2-weighted imaging for image quality and tumor detection.
The purpose of this study was to compare a 3D T2-weighted imaging sequence with a conventional multiplanar 2D turbo spin-echo T2-weighted sequence in terms of tumor detection and staging of prostate cancer, as well as image quality. ⋯ In comparison with conventional multiplanar 2D turbo spin-echo MRI of the prostate, 3D T2-weighted SPACE MRI was associated with substantial time saving (nearly 8 minutes), had similar image quality and accuracy in the diagnosis of tumor and extracapsular extension, and had better tumor conspicuity.
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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%).