AJR. American journal of roentgenology
-
AJR Am J Roentgenol · Dec 2006
Therapeutic effect and outcome predictors of sciatica treated using transforaminal epidural steroid injection.
The objectives of this retrospective study were to assess the therapeutic effect of transforaminal epidural steroid for sciatica and to identify outcome predictors. ⋯ Transforaminal epidural steroid is an effective tool for managing sciatica, and an extraepineural injection may be a predictor of a better outcome for sciatica treated using transforaminal epidural steroid.
-
AJR Am J Roentgenol · Dec 2006
An international survey of hospital practice in the imaging of acute scaphoid trauma.
Scaphoid fractures are relatively common. If not treated promptly there may be risk of long-term disability. However, unnecessary wrist immobilization is inconvenient and may hinder professional activities. Therefore, early accurate diagnosis is essential. Currently, the American College of Radiology deems MRI and radiographs as the most appropriate investigations in imaging acute scaphoid trauma. Our objective was to assess scaphoid imaging protocols. ⋯ The survey reveals marked inconsistency in the imaging of acute scaphoid injury. Although other factors may have played a role, limited scientific evidence regarding the ideal imaging in acute scaphoid trauma may be the root of this inconsistency.
-
AJR Am J Roentgenol · Dec 2006
Randomized Controlled TrialConscious sedation reduces distress in children undergoing voiding cystourethrography and does not interfere with the diagnosis of vesicoureteric reflux: a randomized controlled study.
Voiding cystourethrography (VCU) is a distressing procedure for children. Conscious sedation using oral midazolam may reduce this distress, but its use may also alter the ability of the VCU to show vesicoureteric reflux (VUR). The objectives of our study were to assess the effectiveness of conscious sedation using oral midazolam when administered routinely in children undergoing VCU and to ensure that conscious sedation using oral midazolam does not alter the ability of VCU to show VUR. ⋯ Routine use of oral midazolam (0.5 mg/kg) for conscious sedation of children undergoing VCU reduces distress and does not alter the ability of VCU to show VUR well enough to allow diagnosis.
-
AJR Am J Roentgenol · Dec 2006
Clinical TrialProgression of middle cerebral artery susceptibility sign on T2*-weighted images: its effect on recanalization and clinical outcome after thrombolysis.
The middle cerebral artery (MCA) "susceptibility sign" on T2*-weighted imaging has been reported to indicate acute thrombotic occlusion. We evaluated the serial progression of this susceptibility sign on follow-up MRI and its effect on recanalization and clinical outcome after intraarterial thrombolysis. ⋯ The MCA susceptibility sign can be indicative of acute thromboembolic occlusion and can be used to predict the immediate effectiveness of intraarterial thrombolysis. However, the appearance of this sign was not associated with a favorable clinical outcome after thrombolysis in our small series study.
-
AJR Am J Roentgenol · Dec 2006
Clinical TrialIterative decomposition of water and fat with echo asymmetry and least-squares estimation (IDEAL) fast spin-echo imaging of the ankle: initial clinical experience.
Reliable, uniform fat suppression is important. Multiple approaches currently exist, many of which suffer from either suboptimal signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), or the inability to obtain consistent fat suppression around the ankle joint. Our purpose was to test iterative decomposition of water and fat with echo asymmetry and the least-squares estimation (IDEAL) method in combination with fast spin-echo imaging, which is able to achieve reliable high SNR images with uniform fat-water separation. ⋯ IDEAL fast spin-echo imaging is a promising technique for MRI of the ankle.