Emergency radiology
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Emergency radiology · Sep 2008
Comparative StudyDetection and evaluation of intracranial aneurysms with 16-row multislice CT angiography: comparison with conventional angiography.
The aim of our study was to compare multidetector row computed tomography (CT) angiography (MDCTA) with digital subtraction angiography (DSA) in the detection and characterization of intracranial aneurysms. Between September 2005 and May 2007, 55 consecutive patients with suspected intracranial aneurysms underwent conventional DSA and MDCTA. Thirty-two women and 23 men were enrolled in the study. ⋯ Regarding the aneurysms smaller than 3 mm, for readers 1 and 2, the sensitivities were 84.6% (95% CI = 57.8-95.7%; 11 of 13) and 92.3% (95% CI = 66.7-98.6; 12 of 13), respectively. MDCTA is accurate in the detection and characterization of intracranial aneurysms and can be used as a reliable alternative imaging technique to DSA. A strategy of using CT angiography as the primary method, with DSA reserved for any cases of uncertainty, appears safe and reliable.
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Emergency radiology · Sep 2008
Case ReportsSystemic air embolism after percutaneous transthorasic needle biopsy of the lung.
Computed tomography (CT)-guided percutaneous transthoracic biopsy of the lung is a well-established diagnostic technique, but it can pose complications to the patients. Air embolism is one of the rarest but potentially fatal complications of this procedure. ⋯ Careful reviewing of the obtained CT images during the procedure may avoid a missing systemic air embolism and can immediately provide an adequate therapy also in asymptomatic patients. This extremely rare complication is an inevitable event and may happen in spite of appropriate experience and meticulous care.