AJR. American journal of roentgenology
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AJR Am J Roentgenol · Jul 2015
Is Biopsying the Paravertebral Soft Tissue as Effective as Biopsying the Disk or Vertebral Endplate? 10-Year Retrospective Review of CT-Guided Biopsy of Diskitis-Osteomyelitis.
The purpose of this study was to determine whether there is a difference in biopsying bone (endplate), disk, or paravertebral soft tissue to culture the pathogenic organism causing diskitis-osteomyelitis. ⋯ Paravertebral soft-tissue changes, when present, may be considered a viable target for biopsy in cases of diskitis-osteomyelitis, even in the absence of a paravertebral abscess.
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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
ReviewAnaphylactoid reactions to the nonvascular administration of water-soluble iodinated contrast media.
Anaphylactoidlike reactions occur during the nonvascular administration of iodinated contrast media. Many of these reactions have been severe. These reactions have occurred with many procedures, including gastrointestinal imaging, cystography, sialography, and hysterosalpingography. ⋯ This article reviews reports of these reactions. It also reviews what the literature recommends concerning how to deal with individuals undergoing these procedures who are at a higher risk for anaphylactoidlike reactions.
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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
ReviewImaging of acute and emergent genitourinary conditions: what the radiologist needs to know.
Acute and emergent genitourinary conditions require accurate and rapid diagnosis to minimize patient morbidity and mortality. ⋯ Radiologists' familiarity with the various conditions of the urinary system and of the male and female reproductive organs is important given the widespread use of imaging for the diagnosis of common clinical entities presenting to the emergency department.