Emergency radiology
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Emergency radiology · Feb 2004
Optimal patient position for lumbar puncture, measured by ultrasonography.
The purpose of this study was to identify the patient position for lumbar puncture associated with the widest interspinous distance utilizing ultrasound. Sixteen healthy adult volunteers were placed in three positions commonly used for lumbar puncture (lateral recumbent with knees to chest, sitting and bent forward over an adjustable bedside stand, and sitting with feet supported and chest to knees) and the distance between lumbar spinous processes was measured by ultrasound. Measurements were compared between the three positions. ⋯ The results showed that the interspinous distance was significantly greater in the "sitting, feet supported" position than in the other two positions ( P<0.001). The "sitting, feet supported" position may offer advantages for selected patients undergoing lumbar puncture. Ultrasonography may be a useful adjunct when performing lumbar puncture in the emergency department.
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Emergency radiology · Feb 2004
Case ReportsCT presentation of ruptured appendicitis in an adult with incomplete intestinal malrotation.
Intestinal malrotation is defined anatomically as a developmental anomaly. It may cause atypical clinical symptoms in relatively common intestinal disorders because of the altered anatomy. ⋯ Underlying incomplete malrotation prevented the correct clinical diagnosis of ruptured appendicitis. Computer tomography demonstrated typical signs of malrotation, i.e., right-sided duodenojejunal junction, left position of cecum, inverted position of the superior mesenteric vessels, and pathology revealed a ruptured appendix with an abscess and a coincident mucinous cystadenoma.