Emergency radiology
-
Emergency radiology · Feb 2014
ReviewThe Morel-Lavallée lesion: pathophysiology, clinical presentation, imaging features, and treatment options.
Morel-Lavallée lesions are posttraumatic hemolymphatic collections related to shearing injury and disruption of interfascial planes between subcutaneous soft tissue and muscle. We review the pathophysiology of Morel-Lavallée lesions, clinical presentation, and potential sites of involvement. ⋯ Potential mimics of Morel-Lavallée lesions, such as soft tissue sarcoma and hemorrhagic prepatellar bursitis, are compared and contrasted. Treatment options and a management algorithm are also briefly discussed.
-
Emergency radiology · Feb 2014
Comparative StudyDiagnostic value of "bedside ultrasonography" and the "water bath technique" in distal forearm, wrist, and hand bone fractures.
Bedside ultrasonography (BUS) has been widely used in many emergency evaluations, but the technique was not thoroughly evaluated for use in adult fractures. The water bath technique (WBT) is a modality which overcomes some important limitations of using BUS in extremity fractures. The study aims to evaluate and compare diagnostic values of BUS and WBT. ⋯ The McNemar χ (2) values for the comparison of BUS and WBT indicate that the two techniques provide statistically different results. The ultrasound revealed excellent diagnostic values which make it a favorable alternative in evaluating upper extremity fractures in adults. The WBT provides even better results.
-
Emergency radiology · Dec 2013
Comparative StudyRadiation exposure before and after the introductionof a dedicated total-body CT protocolin multitrauma patients.
Total-body CT (TBCT) scanning in trauma patients is being increasingly used in trauma assessment. One of the major disadvantages of CT scanning is the amount of radiation exposure involved. The aim of this study was to assess the number of radiological investigations and their associated radiation exposure in multitrauma patients before and after the introduction of a total-body CT protocol as a primary diagnostic tool. ⋯ The overall effective dose during the total hospital admission was not significantly different between 2008 and 2010 (20 vs. 24 mSv, P = 0.509). In conlusion, after the introduction of a dedicated TBCT protocol, the TBCT rate was more than doubled. Although this increased the CT-induced trauma room radiation dose, the overall radiation dose throughout hospital admission was comparable between patients in 2008 and 2010.
-
Emergency radiology · Dec 2013
ReviewEvaluating blunt pancreatic trauma at whole body CT: current practices and future directions.
Blunt pancreatic trauma almost always occurs in the setting of multiple severe injuries, and is usually diagnosed within the context of whole-body trauma CT. Associated injuries may flag the pancreas for greater scrutiny. ⋯ Characterization is improved with advanced post-processing techniques. We present useful diagnostic pearls, describe key pitfalls, and review advancements in the evaluation of pancreatic trauma at whole-body MDCT.
-
Emergency radiology · Dec 2013
Review Case ReportsTension pneumocephalus: a case report with review of literature.
Tension Pneumocephalus (PC) was described 50 years ago. A case of pneumocephalus (PC) following cervical epidural injection in a 50-year-old male worsened by air travel and manifested as tension pneumocephalus, confirmed by advanced neuroimaging, is reported for the first time along with literature review. ⋯ Presenting features and clinical course along with Mount Fuji sign, Peaking sign, and air bubble sign observed in this case are described. Also, the importance of considering neurosurgical and spinal procedures leading to PC have to be considered by practitioners before issuing fitness certificate before air travel, as PC is likely to get transformed to tension PC and can cause an in-flight emergency.