AJR. American journal of roentgenology
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AJR Am J Roentgenol · Apr 2008
Gadolinium-based contrast exposure, nephrogenic systemic fibrosis, and gadolinium detection in tissue.
The objective of our study was to retrospectively review one institution's cases of nephrogenic systemic fibrosis (NSF), evaluate possible associated factors, determine the prevalence of NSF, and search for gadolinium in skin samples obtained from patients with NSF. ⋯ An association with GBCAs in the development of NSF is suggested in the setting of renal insufficiency, but other factors seem to play a role. Dialysis did not prevent the development of NSF. Gadolinium was detected in skin samples from NSF patients.
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AJR Am J Roentgenol · Mar 2008
Quantitative assessment of air trapping in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease using inspiratory and expiratory volumetric MDCT.
The purpose of our study was to determine the attenuation threshold value for the detection and quantification of air trapping using paired inspiratory and expiratory volumetric MDCT scans and to assess whether the densitometric parameter can be used for the quantification of airway dysfunction in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) regardless of the degree of emphysema. ⋯ The densitometric parameter of relative volume change calculated on paired inspiratory and expiratory MDCT using the threshold of -860 H in limited lung correlated closely with airway dysfunction in COPD regardless of the degree of emphysema.
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The purpose of this study was to determine the incidence of nephrogenic systemic fibrosis and its relation to renal failure and the administration of gadolinium-based contrast material at an academic medical center. ⋯ We confirm the strong association between nephrogenic systemic fibrosis and gadolinium-based contrast administration. Although the use of high doses of gadolinium and the occurrence of chronic renal failure have been implicated in other reports, several of our patients received standard doses of gadolinium, and two had transient acute renal failure before diagnosis. Most patients had mild or moderate symptoms. Nephrogenic systemic fibrosis developed in 2.9% of patients undergoing long-term dialysis who received gadolinium-based contrast material but in none of the long-term dialysis patients who did not receive gadolinium-based contrast material.
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AJR Am J Roentgenol · Mar 2008
Case ReportsRadiological reasoning: miliary disease, vertebral osteomyelitis, and soft-tissue abscesses.
We present a case of disseminated coccidioidomycosis with miliary disease and extrathoracic spread to the breast, the retroperitoneum, the soft tissues of the neck, and multiple vertebrae with spinal cord compression. We discuss the differential diagnosis of the imaging presentation, as well as the specific clinical and imaging features of coccidioidomycosis. ⋯ Disseminated coccidioidomycosis in a nonendemic area can be difficult to diagnose, even with an excellent clinical history, as almost every organ system can be involved. Widespread disease can be seen and spinal involvement can easily be mistaken for malignancy, Pott's disease, or other granulomatous disease. Miliary disease with concomitant breast involvement is a rare presentation of disseminated disease. Detection of specific radiographic patterns of involvement and recognition of travel to or from an endemic area can lead to an accurate diagnosis and earlier treatment.
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AJR Am J Roentgenol · Mar 2008
MDCT of acute mild (nonnecrotizing) pancreatitis: abdominal complications and fate of fluid collections.
The objective of our study was to describe the occurrence of local complications and the fate of fluid collections in milder forms of acute nonnecrotizing pancreatitis. ⋯ A small number of acute, life-threatening abdominal complications and chronic complications are expected to occur in patients with milder forms of acute nonnecrotizing pancreatitis presenting with fluid collections. In these patients, clinical monitoring and repeated imaging studies are recommended to document the resolution of fluid or the development of complications.