European radiology
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The aim of this study was to investigate the value of US and complementary CT in patients with suspected appendicitis, and to detect adverse outcomes of preoperative imaging. We retrospectively reviewed the data of 233 consecutive patients who underwent an appendectomy as an emergency procedure in our hospital, within a 2-year period. Our hospital policy is to perform diagnostic imaging in all patients with clinical suspicion of appendicitis. ⋯ The median overall in-hospital delay was 5 h (range 0.5-123.5 h). For the perforated appendices this was 4.5 h (range 0.5-64.5 h), for the non-perforated appendices 6.0 h (range 0.5-123.5 h). In patients with suspected acute appendicitis, US examination with the option of additional CT significantly lowers the negative appendectomy rate as compared with the clinical acumen alone, without adverse effects on the perforation rate or the in-hospital delay.
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We report a case of hepatic artery pseudoaneurysm which occurred in a patient with von Willebrand's disease. The patient presented with upper abdominal pain and diagnosis was made by US and CT examinations. This case emphasizes the possible association between an established coagulation disorder and pseudoaneurysm. The patient was successfully treated by coil embolization.
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The spectrum of orbital lesions occurring in childhood is wide, including a variety of both benign and malignant disorders. Although physical examination and fundoscopy may aid in establishing the diagnosis of retro-ocular lesions, imaging remains a critical step in the evaluation of the pediatric orbit. Ultrasonography, CT, and MR imaging are the primary modalities for the evaluation of the diseased orbit, and careful observation of the characteristic radiological features usually leads to correct diagnosis; however, some of the lesions look very similar and are difficult to differentiate from each other. The purpose of this article is to review the common and unusual entities that may involve the pediatric orbit, to describe the radiological features, and to evaluate the efficacy of US, CT, and MRI in the diagnosis and management of these conditions.
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This article presents the range of manifestations of tuberculosis (TB) of the craniospinal axis. Central nervous system (CNS) infection with Mycobacterium tuberculosis occurs either in a diffuse form as basal exudative leptomeningitis or in a localized form as tuberculoma, abscess, or cerebritis. ⋯ Modern imaging is a cornerstone in the early diagnosis of CNS tuberculosis and may prevent unnecessary morbidity and mortality. Contrast-enhanced MR imaging is generally considered as the modality of choice in the detection and assessment of CNS tuberculosis.
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Transient focal lesions in the splenium of the corpus callosum have been reported in epileptic patients receiving antiepileptic drugs. The characteristic imaging features included an oval high signal lesion on T2-weighted images in the central part of the splenium, no enhancement on post-contrast MR images, and complete reversibility without specific treatment. ⋯ In addition, diffusion-weighted MR imaging findings are described in our case, which is the first report on this unique lesion associated with antiepileptic drugs. Although this lesion has been assumed to be vasogenic edema in the previous reports, diffusion-weighted MR imaging showed markedly restricted diffusion of the lesion in the present case, suggesting that cytotoxic edema was the main pathophysiological abnormality.