AJR. American journal of roentgenology
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AJR Am J Roentgenol · Aug 1997
High-resolution CT in the acute exacerbation of cystic fibrosis: evaluation of acute findings, reversibility of those findings, and clinical correlation.
The aims of this study were threefold: to compare high-resolution CT (HRCT) of adult patients with cystic fibrosis (CF) during acute exacerbations with asymptomatic patients with CF, to evaluate reversibility of HRCT abnormalities after exacerbations, and to correlate HRCT with clinical parameters. ⋯ Air-fluid levels in bronchiectatic cavities were the only parenchymal finding shown by HRCT that was limited to the acute exacerbation of CF in our study population. However, this finding was rare, being seen in two of 19 patients. Mucus plugging, centrilobular nodules, and peribronchial thickening were potentially reversible findings in symptomatic patients. HRCT accurately revealed disease severity in patients with CF. We also found that changes in HRCT scores correlated with clinical improvement as determined by PFTs.
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AJR Am J Roentgenol · Aug 1997
High-resolution CT of the lung: determination of the usefulness of CT scans obtained with the patient prone based on plain radiographic findings.
We assessed the usefulness of chest radiographs for predicting whether high-resolution CT scans obtained with the patient prone would be valuable in assessing suspected diffuse lung disease. ⋯ In patients with suspected diffuse lung disease, obtaining high-resolution CT scans with the patient prone may be useful when chest radiographs show normal findings, possibly abnormal findings, or minimal abnormalities indicative of diffuse lung disease. However, such scans are of little value in patients whose radiographs show abnormalities indicative of diffuse lung disease.
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AJR Am J Roentgenol · Jul 1997
A focused appendiceal CT technique to reduce the cost of caring for patients with clinically suspected appendicitis.
This investigation analyzed the potential impact on hospitalwide variable costs and total costs of introducing a focused helical CT technique for diagnosing appendicitis. ⋯ Routine use of focused appendiceal CT would lower the costs of caring for patients with clinically suspected appendicitis.
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AJR Am J Roentgenol · Jul 1997
CT appearance of parapneumonic effusions in children: findings are not specific for empyema.
Although definitive differentiation of empyema from transudative parapneumonic effusion is based on the analysis of pleural fluid, certain CT findings have been described as highly suggestive of empyema. This study compares the CT findings of parapneumonic effusions with the results of thoracentesis, thoracoscopy, or both to determine whether these CT findings can reliably differentiate empyemas from transudative parapneumonic effusions in children. ⋯ CT characteristics of parapneumonic effusions do not allow radiologists to accurately predict empyema. The presence or absence of such CT findings should not influence therapeutic decisions concerning the management of parapneumonic effusions.
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AJR Am J Roentgenol · Jul 1997
Flow pulsatility in the portal venous system: a study of Doppler sonography in healthy adults.
The purpose of our study was to describe Doppler sonography patterns of venous flow in the portal system of healthy subjects and to compare pulsatility of flow with subjects' body mass, degree of inspiration, and body position. ⋯ Doppler sonography shows pulsatile portal venous flow in healthy adults, especially in thin subjects. This pulsatility has an inverse correlation to body mass. The finding of a pulsatile portal vein needs to be interpreted in clinical context and does not necessarily imply dysfunction of the right side of the heart.