AJR. American journal of roentgenology
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We review the basics of functional renal imaging and highlight a few clinical applications. ⋯ Techniques such as contrast-enhanced MR renography, diffusion-weighted imaging, and blood oxygen level-dependent MRI have been investigated in animal models and in a few human studies. Functional renal imaging is a rapidly growing field that has the potential to provide new insight into the pathophysiology of renal disease.
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Blunt and penetrating abdominal trauma can cause significant injury to the genitourinary organs, and radiologic imaging plays a critical role both in diagnosing these injuries and in determining the management. In this article, we describe and illustrate the spectrum of injuries that can occur in the genitourinary system in order to facilitate accurate and rapid recognition of the significant injuries. ⋯ Imaging plays a crucial role in the evaluation of the genitourinary tract in a patient who has suffered either blunt or penetrating trauma because multiorgan injury is common in such patients. Contrast-enhanced CT is the primary imaging technique used to evaluate the upper and lower urinary tract for trauma. Cystography and urethrography remain useful techniques in the initial evaluation and follow-up of trauma to the urinary bladder and urethra.
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AJR Am J Roentgenol · Jun 2009
Comparative StudyFreehand versus guided breast biopsy: comparison of accuracy, needle motion, and biopsy time in a tissue model.
Freehand ultrasound-guided breast biopsy may present difficulties in needle visualization within the scanning plane of the ultrasound image. Scanning plane and needle misalignment, an unknown needle insertion site (relative to the ultrasound image), needle trajectory before insertion, and physician experience play roles in the difficulty of these biopsy procedures. The objective of our study was to compare the currently used freehand technique with the use of a needle guidance system that limits needle motion to within the ultrasound scanning plane for breast biopsy. ⋯ Biopsy using the developed needle guidance system is feasible and its use decreases procedure time and decreases needle motion; thus, it has the potential to reduce patient morbidity. Moreover, less operator experience is required for a successful breast biopsy using the needle guidance system than using the freehand technique.
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AJR Am J Roentgenol · Jun 2009
Kerma area product method for effective dose estimation during lumbar epidural steroid injection procedures: phantom study.
The purpose of this study was to derive from the kerma area product the dose conversion coefficient for estimating the effective dose for lumbar epidural steroid injection procedures. ⋯ The effective dose for lumbar epidural steroid injection can be easily estimated by multiplying the derived dose conversion coefficient by the console-displayed kerma area product.
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AJR Am J Roentgenol · Jun 2009
Diffusion tensor imaging and fiber tractography of skeletal muscle: optimization of B value for imaging at 1.5 T.
The aim of our study was to determine the optimal b value for 1.5-T diffusion tensor (DT) MRI and fiber tractography of in vivo human skeletal muscle. ⋯ The optimal b value for in vivo DT MRI and tractographic assessment of human skeletal muscle in the calf at 1.5 T MRI was found to be 625 s/mm(2).