AJR. American journal of roentgenology
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AJR Am J Roentgenol · Jul 2015
Rates of Breakthrough Reactions in Inpatients at High Risk Receiving Premedication Before Contrast-Enhanced CT.
The purpose of this study was to determine the rate of allergiclike breakthrough reactions among inpatients at high risk receiving premedication before undergoing CT with IV iodinated low-osmolality contrast material (LOCM). ⋯ Patients premedicated for a previous reaction to iodinated contrast material have a breakthrough reaction rate 3-4 times the ordinary reaction rate in the general population. Patients receiving premedication for other reasons have a breakthrough reaction rate near 0%. Many patients must receive premedication to prevent one reaction.
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AJR Am J Roentgenol · Jul 2015
Radiology Department Preparedness for the Management of Severe Acute Iodinated Contrast Reactions: Do We Need to Change Our Approach?
The purpose of this study was to identify opportunities for reducing epinephrine administration errors after a sentinel event entailing an overdose of i.v. epinephrine occurred in a radiology department. ⋯ Stocking and routine auditing of medication availability are essential. The use of epinephrine intended for cardiac arrest stocked on code carts should be avoided during contrast reactions. It would be optimal if first-line responders to contrast reactions included attending physicians, but this may not always be the case at academic institutions.
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AJR Am J Roentgenol · Jun 2015
Controlled Clinical TrialT2* relaxation time of acetabular and femoral cartilage with and without intraarticular gadopentetate dimeglumine in patients with femoroacetabular impingement.
The purpose of this study was to assess whether the presence of intraarticular gadopentetate dimeglumine during clinical MR arthrography significantly alters the T2* relaxation time of hip articular cartilage in patients with femoroacetabular impingement. ⋯ The results indicate that intraarticular injection of gadopentetate dimeglumine according to the protocol described in this study has little effect on the T2* of femoral and acetabular cartilage. The results suggest that T2* mapping can be safely performed as an addition to a standard clinical hip imaging protocol that includes gadopentetate dimeglumine administration.
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AJR Am J Roentgenol · Jun 2015
Comparative StudyValue of Focused Appendicitis Ultrasound and Alvarado Score in Predicting Appendicitis in Children: Can We Reduce the Use of CT?
The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of focused appendicitis ultrasound combined with Alvarado score to accurately identify appendicitis in children in whom it is suspected, thereby reducing unnecessary CT examinations and associated radiation exposure. ⋯ Children with inconclusive focused appendicitis ultrasound findings and a low Alvarado score are extremely unlikely to have appendicitis (NPV, 99.6%). Avoiding unnecessary CT of these patients is a safe approach to diagnosis.
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AJR Am J Roentgenol · Jun 2015
Performance of bedside diagnostic ultrasound in an Ebola isolation unit: the Emory University Hospital experience.
Individuals with Ebola virus disease, a contagious and potentially lethal infection, are now being treated in specialized units in the United States. We describe Emory University's initial experience, current operating procedures, and ongoing planning with diagnostic ultrasound in the isolation unit. ⋯ Ultrasound use has been limited to date. Future planning considerations include deciding what types of ultrasound studies will be performed, which personnel will acquire the images, and which ultrasound machine will be used.