Emergency radiology
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A 36-year-old man fell from his bicycle and struck his lower abdomen on the end of the handlebar. Computed tomography (CT) showed a small bowel loop protruding into the subcutaneous fat layer of the abdominal wall. We present this case of handlebar hernia, a rare type of traumatic abdominal wall hernia, and the usefulness of CT in diagnosing such injuries.
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Emergency radiology · Jan 2007
Case ReportsBilateral orbital emphysema and pneumocephalus as a result of accidental compressed air exposure.
Orbital emphysema is a rare condition in the absence of trauma or sinus disease. A 22-year-old man suffering from left orbital trauma due to sudden exposure to compressed air tube was admitted with severe pain in the left eye, swelling, and mild periorbital ecchymosis. Physical examination revealed a large conjunctival laceration in the left orbit. ⋯ The conjunctiva was sutured under local anesthesia. After 3 weeks of follow-up, the patient completely recovered without visual loss. Bilateral orbital emphysema with pneumocephalus can occur from a high-pressure compressed air injury after unilateral conjunctival trauma without any evidence of fracture.
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Emergency radiology · Jan 2007
Case ReportsBlunt traumatic injury of the ascending aorta: multidetector CT findings in two cases.
Blunt ascending aortic injuries are rare in clinical practice. We have encountered two types of injuries to the ascending aorta with multidetector computed tomography: (1) a tear of the wall of the aortic root with a contained rupture and associated hemopericardium and (2) a tear at the level of the aortic valve cusp without associated hemopericardium. In reviewing our experience with aortic trauma at our institution under IRB waiver of consent, we encountered two cases of ascending aortic rupture that illustrate the two injury patterns. We present these two cases to alert radiologists to the multidetector computed tomographic findings of this life-threatening injury.
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Emergency radiology · Jan 2007
Acute colonic diverticulitis in a community-based hospital: CT evaluation in 138 patients.
The purpose of this research is to retrospectively analyze computed tomography (CT) findings of patients with acute colonic diverticulitis presented to a community-based hospital. During a 1-year period from May 2004 to April 2005, CT scans of 138 patients [mean age 62.3 years (SD 14.9), range 30-100 years] with clinical diagnosis of diverticulitis were analyzed. Of the 138 patients, 136 CT scans were performed with oral and intravenous contrast administration except in two patients who received only oral contrast. ⋯ Complicated diverticulitis was less prevalent in this community hospital setting, in contrast with referral medical centers. Common CT findings of diverticulitis included presence of diverticula, moderate wall thickening, and pericolonic inflammation. Isolated air bubbles were the most commonly seen complication followed by abscess.