Clinical imaging
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Abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) development is a multifactorial process that is more prevalent among people ≥65years of age. Major risk factors are obesity, male sex, history of smoking (at least 100 cigarettes in a person's lifetime), and history of AAA in a first-degree relative. The United States Preventative Task Force has recommended a one-time ultrasound screening for men aged 65-75years. Based on studies, negative results on a single ultrasound examination around the age of 65years appear to virtually exclude the risk for future AAA rupture or death. While ultrasonography (US) is the confirmatory study of choice, computed tomography (CT) can also be used in the diagnosis of AAA. The goal of this study is to determine if AAA rupture can reliably be excluded in individuals with abdominal pain who have had a normal caliber aorta on CT or US after the age of 65years. ⋯ Based on these results, it appears that AAA and rupture may reliably be excluded in ED patients with abdominal pain who have previously had a normal caliber aorta on CT or US after the age of 65years. A prospective, multicenter study would help validate these findings.
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Comparative Study
Comparison of high-resolution T1W 3D GRE (LAVA) with 2-point Dixon fat/water separation (FLEX) to T1W fast spin echo (FSE) in prostate cancer (PCa).
To compare T1-weighted (T1W) fast spin echo (FSE) to T1W 3-dimensional gradient recalled echo (LAVA) with fat water separation (FLEX) in prostate cancer (PCa). ⋯ T1W LAVA FLEX improves image quality, lessens motion artifact, and is comparable or improves detection of metastases in PCa with reduction in acquisition time.
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To evaluate the left distal thoracic duct (DTD) in the lower neck area by using contrast-enhanced chest computed tomography (CT) in patients with liver cirrhosis (LC). ⋯ When reviewed the contrast-enhanced chest CT, the left DTD can be identified more frequently in subjects with LC than in those with noncirrhotic liver. Furthermore, the degree of left DTD dilation may be associated with the severity of LC.
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Neuromyelitis optica (NMO) is an autoimmune disorder of the central nervous system that usually presents with acute myelitis and/or optic neuritis. Recently, some brain magnetic resonance imaging findings have been described in NMO that are important in the differential diagnosis. ⋯ Recognizing these lesions and enhancement patterns may expedite the diagnosis and allows early effective treatment. The purpose of this article is to review the latest knowledge and to share our experience with the contrast enhancement patterns of NMO brain lesions.
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To assess information regarding radiology practices on public transparency Web sites. ⋯ Transparency Web sites had a preponderance of price (and to a lesser extent service quality) information, risking fostering price-based competition at the expense of clinical quality.