European radiology
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The aim of this study was to compare 2D and 3D CT imaging in the pre- and postoperative evaluation of complex benign larynges-tracheal airway stenoses with rigid endoscopy, considered as the gold standard. Six patients (aged 5-72 years) with a total of nine complex laryngo-tracheal stenoses underwent non-contrast helical CT scans (slice thickness 3 mm, pitch 1.3, reconstruction interval 1.5 mm) before and after surgical resection. With prototype software, virtual endoscopy (VE) post-processing algorithms were applied to the imaging data sets. ⋯ Two-dimensional images and 3D VE of tracheal stenoses proved to be efficient and complementary to the rigid endoscopy, permitting a reliable endoluminal 3D view and evaluation of the surrounding anatomical structures. Limitations of this technique relate to the maximal spatial resolution of 1.5 mm, the lack of color, and the inability to assess the mucosa. Virtual endoscopy is for complex laryngo-tracheal stenoses an excellent complement for rigid endoscopy, remaining the method of reference, and may be indicated with complicated pathological structures.
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This paper reviews the various examination techniques, the clinical indications, and the imaging findings for US studies of the female pelvis in patients with gynecological problems. Ultrasound, in fact, is the preferred imaging modality in the study of the female pelvis, and provides information of basic importance in detecting and characterizing pelvic masses of uterine, ovarian, or adnexal origin, providing also criteria useful in predicting their benign vs malignant nature. In patients with abnormal bleeding, transvaginal US helps in determining the presence of morphological and structural changes of the endometrium and, with the use of sonohysterography, provides excellent delineation of the endometrial cavity, guiding appropriate planning of therapeutic procedures. ⋯ In suspected ectopic pregnancy, US, together with quantitative measurements of hCG levels, can be considered the best imaging procedure to guide to the diagnosis. Ultrasound has an important role also in the study of female infertility. In this field it can be used to identify and document the integrity of the reproductive tract as a conduit for the passage of gametes and embryos, to detect pathological changes that may be causes or contributing factors of female infertility, to monitor cyclic changes of pelvic organs to document normal physiology or pathological situations, and to guide infertility treatment.
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The aim of this study was to evaluate the appearance, extent, and distribution of parenchymal changes in the lung after acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) as a function of disease severity and therapeutic procedures. High-resolution computed tomography (HRCT), clinical examination, and lung function tests were performed in 15 patients, 6-10 months after ARDS. The appearance and extent of parenchymal changes were compared with the severity of ARDS, as well as with clinical and therapeutic data. ⋯ A significant correlation was observed between the extent of lung alterations and the severity of ARDS ( p<0.01), and the duration in which patients had received mechanical ventilation either with a peak inspiratory pressure greater than 30 mmHg ( p<0.05), or with more than 70% oxygen ( p<0.01). Acute respiratory distress syndrome frequently is followed by fibrotic changes in lung parenchyma. The predominantly ventral distribution of these changes indicates that they may be caused by the ventilation regimen and the oxygen therapy rather than by the ARDS.
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Comparative Study
The value of CT diagnosis of hernia recurrence after prosthetic repair of ventral incisional hernias.
Herein we present a prospective study made to compare the diagnostic value of a physical examination and a CT scan in the detection of a hernia relapse after carrying out of a intraperitoneal hernioplasty using a non-resorbable mesh. Fifty patients operated on for intraperitoneal hernioplasty with ePTFE mesh and postoperative symptomatology were assessed within a year of the operation via a physical exploration and CT. Each of the patients was subjected to an exploratory laparoscopy for the purpose of confirming the diagnosis. ⋯ The negative predictive values were 1 and 0.95, respectively. The differences between the values of both methods held a statistical meaning (chi-square test; p < 0.05). The postoperative assessment by CT of symptomatic patients who have been operated on for an intraperitoneal hernioplasty with unabsorbable mesh facilitates carrying out a correct diagnosis in the detection or exclusion of hernial relapse.
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Obturator nerve blocks (ONB) have been performed by anaesthesiologists mainly to eliminate the obturator reflex during transurethral resections. An effect on hip pain has also been described. However, being a time-consuming and operator-dependent procedure if performed manually, it has not been widely used for chronic hip pain. ⋯ Excellent pain relief for 3-11 months was achieved in another 4 patients. Reasons for a mid-term or even long-term effect based on a single injection of local anaesthetic are not exactly known. The CT-guided ONB is a fast, easy and safe procedure that may be useful for mid-term (weeks) and sometimes even long-term (months) treatment of hip pain.