AJR. American journal of roentgenology
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AJR Am J Roentgenol · Jan 2010
Imaging evaluation for suspected pulmonary embolism: what do emergency physicians and radiologists say?
The utility of various imaging techniques and strategies for the diagnosis of pulmonary embolism has been studied in randomized control trials and extensively described in the literature. CT and ventilation-perfusion scintigraphy are the mainstays of diagnosis, and MRI is emerging. The purpose of this study was to assess the diagnostic approach to pulmonary embolism practiced by emergency physicians and advised by radiologists. ⋯ CT is the overwhelmingly preferred technique for the diagnosis of pulmonary embolism. The role of ventilation-perfusion scintigraphy increases when the use of iodinated contrast material is contraindicated. MRI does not seem to have an important role in practice.
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The purpose of this study was to evaluate the features of sigmoid volvulus on CT scanograms and cross-sectional images. ⋯ Sigmoid volvulus has a spectrum of imaging findings. A classic appearance is absent on approximately one half of scanograms and one fourth of CT scans. Use of new signs that model the pathophysiologic characteristics of volvulus (X-marks-the-spot sign for more complete twisting and split-wall sign for less severe twisting) may improve diagnostic confidence.
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AJR Am J Roentgenol · Dec 2009
MRI of soft-tissue tumors: fast STIR sequence as substitute for T1-weighted fat-suppressed contrast-enhanced spin-echo sequence.
The purpose of this study was to assess the value of the fast STIR sequence in comparison with the T1-weighted fat-suppressed contrast-enhanced sequence in the evaluation of soft-tissue tumors. ⋯ The fast STIR sequence is excellent for evaluation of soft-tissue tumors, and contrast-enhancement is not always needed.
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AJR Am J Roentgenol · Dec 2009
Comparative StudyMRI in the detection of prostate cancer: combined apparent diffusion coefficient, metabolite ratio, and vascular parameters.
The purpose of this study was to compare apparent diffusion coefficients, metabolic ratios, and vascularity values within histologically defined prostate tumors with those in nontumor tissue to determine which functional parameter or combination of parameters is best for differentiating tumor from nontumor tissue. ⋯ The combination of two functional parameters is associated with significant improvement in prostate cancer detection over use of any parameter alone. Use of a third parameter does not increase the rate of detection.
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AJR Am J Roentgenol · Dec 2009
Comparative StudyComparison of ultrasound and CT in the evaluation of pneumonia complicated by parapneumonic effusion in children.
The purpose of our study was to compare chest ultrasound and chest CT in children with complicated pneumonia and parapneumonic effusion. ⋯ In our series, chest ultrasound and chest CT were similar in their ability to detect loculated effusion and lung necrosis or abscess resulting from complicated pneumonia. Chest CT did not provide any additional clinically useful information that was not also seen on chest ultrasound. We suggest that the imaging workup of complicated pediatric pneumonia include chest radiography and chest ultrasound, reserving chest CT for cases in which the chest ultrasound is technically limited or discrepant with the clinical findings.