AJR. American journal of roentgenology
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AJR Am J Roentgenol · Mar 2013
Meta AnalysisYield of radiographic skeletal surveys for detection of hand, foot, and spine fractures in suspected child abuse.
Previous studies have found that fractures involving the spine, hands, and feet are rare on skeletal surveys in cases of suspected child abuse, leading some authors to suggest eliminating these regions from the initial skeletal survey protocol. We assessed this recommendation by performing a historical review of these injuries in a pediatric population undergoing film screen-based radiographic skeletal surveys for suspected child abuse. ⋯ These data, acquired during the film-screen era, suggest that fractures of the spine, hands, and feet may not be rare in infants and toddlers in cases of suspected child abuse. The benefits of eliminating views of these regions from the initial skeletal survey should be carefully weighed against the cost of missing these potentially important injuries in at-risk pediatric populations.
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AJR Am J Roentgenol · Mar 2013
ReviewPulmonary CT angiography as first-line imaging for PE: image quality and radiation dose considerations.
This article reviews dose reduction techniques in pulmonary CT angiography (CTA) for imaging pulmonary embolism (PE). Dose reduction technologies covered include tube current modulation, kilovoltage modulation, scanning length modification, dynamic z-axis collimation, iterative reconstruction, and dual-energy CT. Age- and weight-specific imaging techniques are suggested. ⋯ Pulmonary CTA plays a vital role in imaging PE. Using dose reduction technologies can provide high-quality diagnostic imaging with a significant reduction in patient dose.
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AJR Am J Roentgenol · Mar 2013
Comparative StudyPredictors of dysplastic nodule diagnosis in patients with liver cirrhosis on unenhanced and gadobenate dimeglumine-enhanced MRI with dynamic and hepatobiliary phase.
The purpose of this article is to assess whether unenhanced and gadobenate dimeglumine-enhanced MRI with dynamic and hepatobiliary phase may predict the diagnosis of dysplastic nodules in patients with liver cirrhosis. ⋯ The combination of nodule appearance on T2-weighted MRI and nodule enhancement after gadobenate dimeglumine injection may predict dysplastic nodule diagnosis in patients with liver cirrhosis.
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Lumbar facet joint block is generally performed under fluoroscopic guidance. The purpose of this study was to assess the technical success rate of facet joint block under CT guidance. The CT scanner was operated tableside with a step-and-shoot mode for intermittent needle visualization, and the amount of radiation used to perform the procedures was estimated. ⋯ CT-guided facet joint block is safe and rapid. Use of CT ensures reliable needle guidance with extremely high procedural accuracy at an effective radiation dose comparable to that of a procedure performed with 1 minute of fluoroscopic guidance.