AJR. American journal of roentgenology
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AJR Am J Roentgenol · Sep 1993
High-dose chloral hydrate sedation for children undergoing MR imaging: safety and efficacy in relation to age.
Sedation is frequently essential for successful MR imaging, and chloral hydrate is the most commonly used drug for this purpose in infants and children. Our experience with these patients suggested that this sedative is less effective in older children, even when administered in high doses. However, no prospective study comparing the efficacy of chloral hydrate sedation for children of different ages undergoing MR imaging has been reported. Accordingly, we performed a study to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of chloral hydrate sedation in children of various ages. ⋯ The higher failure rate for chloral hydrate sedation in children more than 48 months old suggests that the patient's age is an important limitation to the usefulness of chloral hydrate sedation for children undergoing MR imaging. However, the low rate of adverse reactions makes chloral hydrate a safe drug for sedation of children undergoing MR imaging.
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AJR Am J Roentgenol · Aug 1993
ReviewPlacement and management of long-term central venous access catheters and ports.
Recent developments in long-term central venous access devices, access techniques, and the management of complications are described. Factors used in selecting a device include the intensity and frequency of therapy and the preferences of the patient. Implantable ports and external catheters are available with valved (Groshong) and nonvalved catheters and with single or multiple lumens. ⋯ An infected catheter can be diagnosed without catheter removal by comparison of quantitative blood cultures from the catheter and peripheral vein. Early recognition of catheter-related infection may save the catheter. Removal of an infected catheter depends on the nature of the offending agent, severity of infection, success of treatment, and degree of difficulty in obtaining alternative access.
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AJR Am J Roentgenol · Aug 1993
Comparative StudyPilocytic astrocytoma: correlation between the initial imaging features and clinical aggressiveness.
Astrocytomas are classified as either fibrillary or pilocytic on the basis of their histologic appearance. The imaging features of the fibrillary astrocytoma correlate closely with the tumor's clinical aggressiveness and are, therefore, useful in predicting prognosis. Correlation between the imaging features and the clinical aggressiveness of the pilocytic astrocytoma, however, is not well established. Accordingly, we compared the initial MR and CT appearances of the lesion with tumor aggressiveness as seen clinically to determine if a correlation exists. ⋯ The initial CT and MR features of pilocytic astrocytoma are unreliable for predicting which lesions will behave in a more aggressive manner clinically and have a poor prognosis.
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AJR Am J Roentgenol · Aug 1993
Comparative StudyColor Doppler imaging findings in patients with Budd-Chiari syndrome: correlation with venographic findings.
This study was undertaken to evaluate color Doppler imaging findings in patients with Budd-Chiari syndrome and to compare these findings with results of venography. ⋯ Abnormalities of the hepatic veins, portal veins, and inferior vena cava detected on color Doppler sonograms in patients with Budd-Chiari syndrome correlate well with findings on venograms.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)