Acta radiologica
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Computed tomography (CT) of the brain is used extensively in the urgent work-up of patients with a suspicion of intracranial pathology, but is often normal. Previously proposed selection criteria aim at limiting the ordering of urgent cranial CT in the non-trauma population, while maintaining high sensitivity for diagnoses demanding immediate attention. ⋯ Although 100% sensitivity was not achieved, our results may contribute to the evidence that in the absence of focal neurologic deficit, headache with vomiting or altered mental status in patients aged <60 years cranial tomography can be refrained from, in the general population as well as in the subgroup defined above. Further research might validate patient history as a parameter.
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Comparative Study
Comparison of USPIO-enhanced MRI and Gd-DTPA enhancement during the subacute stage of focal cerebral ischemia in rats.
Being one class of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) contrast agents, ultrasmall superparamagnetic particles of iron oxides (USPIO) bear the potential to study neuroinflammation following stroke, but there is still debate over whether the iron oxides particles may enter the brain tissue passively over a damaged blood-brain barrier (BBB). ⋯ After focal cerebral ischemia, Gd-DTPA-enhanced MRI showed a higher sensitivity in detecting BBB alterations than did USPIO enhancement. USPIO provided complementary information regarding inflammatory cell activity in neuroinflammatory to cerebral ischemia that had not been visualized using conventional Gd-DTPA. The assessment using multiple MR parameters may identify intracellular and extracellular USPIO in vivo.
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Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative Study
Single dose ivabradine versus intravenous metoprolol for heart rate reduction before coronary computed tomography angiography (CCTA) in patients receiving long-term calcium channel-blocker therapy.
In patients with contraindication for beta-blockers who are also under long-term calcium channel-blocker therapy for any reason, ivabradine may be used as an alternative treatment to achieve the target heart rate. ⋯ Single dose ivabradine is safe and significantly more effective than i.v. metoprolol in decreasing HR in patients under calcium channel-blocker therapy.
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Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative Study
Comparison of three software systems for semi-automatic volumetry of pulmonary nodules on baseline and follow-up CT examinations.
Early diagnosis of lung cancer in a treatable stage is the main purpose of lung cancer screening by computed tomography (CT). Accurate three-dimensional size and growth measurements are essential to assess the risk of malignancy. Nodule volumes can be calculated by using semi-automated volumetric software. Systematic differences in volume measurements between packages could influence nodule categorization and management decisions. ⋯ Software packages for lung nodule evaluation yield significant differences in volumetric measurements and VDT. This variation affects the classification of lung nodules, especially in follow-up examinations.