Canadian Association of Radiologists journal = Journal l'Association canadienne des radiologistes
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The fluoroscopically guided selective nerve root block (SNRB) is being used increasingly as a therapy for radicular pain as well as a diagnostic tool. However, studies and the literature reviews have yet to reach a definite conclusion on the efficacy in this setting. Our aim was to prospectively investigate factors that may affect the success of this procedure. ⋯ Analgesic success rates of selective nerve root blocks did not vary with spinal level, or use of contrast or periprocedural replication of symptoms, when using fluoroscopic guidance. Patients may expect a continued significant improvement in their symptoms for at least a week after the procedure.
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Case Reports
The use of dynamic computed tomographic angiography ancillary to the diagnosis of brain death.
Global absence of cerebral circulation is an important ancillary test for brain death when the diagnosis cannot be confirmed clinically. A number of imaging methods are available to assess cerebral circulation; however, new techniques are sought to improve on limitations of the current tests. Dynamic computed tomographic angiography (dCTA) is a novel technique that enables dynamic noninvasive imaging of cerebral blood flow. ⋯ A dCTA may be used to reliably demonstrate the lack of cerebral blood flow in patients with suspected brain death.
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The left ventricle (LV) is routinely assessed with cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) by using short-axis orientation; it remains unclear whether the right ventricle (RV) can also be adequately assessed in this orientation or whether dedicated axial orientation is required. We used phase-contrast (PC) flow measurements in the main pulmonary artery (MPA) and the ascending aorta (Aorta) as nonvolumetric standard of reference and compared RV and LV volumes in short-axis and axial orientations. ⋯ No significant impact of the slice acquisition orientation for determination of RV and LV stroke volumes was found. Therefore, cardiac magnetic resonance workflow does not need to be extended by an axial data set for patients without complex cardiac disease for assessment of biventricular function and volumes.
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To evaluate prospectively the role and impact of multidetector row computed tomography (MDCT) before bronchial artery embolization (BAE) in patients with hemoptysis. ⋯ MDCT enables detection and depiction of all bronchial and nonbronchial systemic arteries causing hemoptysis.