Emergency radiology
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Emergency radiology · Apr 2013
Case ReportsValue of ultrasound in diagnosis of pneumothorax: a prospective study.
Transthoracic ultrasound (US) is useful in the evaluation of a wide range of peripheral parenchymal, pleural, and chest wall diseases. Furthermore, it is increasingly used to guide interventional procedures of the chest and pleural space. The role of chest US in the diagnosis of pneumothorax has been established, but comparison with lung computed tomography (CT) scanning has not yet been completely performed. ⋯ Statistical analysis disclosed the US to be 80.4 % sensitive and 89 % specific in the detection of pneumothorax with an overall accuracy of 85 %. In this study, US was more sensitive than chest radiography in the detection of pneumothorax. The results of this study suggest that thoracic US, when performed by trained individuals, can be helpful for the detection of pneumothorax.
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Emergency radiology · Apr 2013
Significance of size and location of appendicoliths as exacerbating factor of acute appendicitis.
The aim of the present study was to investigate the significance of appendicoliths as an exacerbating factor of acute appendicitis using multivariate analysis. A total of 254 patients with pathologically proved acute appendicitis were enrolled in this retrospective study (male, 51 %; mean age, 40.1 years; range, 15-91 years). Two radiologists performed a consensus evaluation of preoperative CT images for the presence of appendicoliths in consensus. ⋯ Significant relationships were identified between gangrenous appendicitis and the presence of appendicoliths (OR, 2.2; 95 % CI, 1.2-4.0), the largest appendicolith more than 5 mm in the longest (OR, 3.0; 95 % CI, 1.6-5.7), and location of an appendicolith at the root of the appendix (OR, 2.0; 95 % CI, 1.1-3.8). Among the CT characteristics, the location of an appendicolith at the root of the appendix only showed significant relationship with perforated appendicitis (OR, 4.5; 95 % CI, 1.4-15.4). Size of the largest appendicolith and location of appendicoliths at the root of the appendix are exacerbating factors of acute appendicitis.
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Emergency radiology · Jan 2013
Case ReportsHuman botfly (Dermatobia hominis) larva in a child's scalp mimicking osteomyelitis.
Furuncular myiasis caused by Dermatobia hominis is endemic throughout Central and South America. However, because of widespread travel, furuncular myiasis has become more common in North America. ⋯ The case is unique because neuroimaging was obtained upon the clinical suspicion of calvarial osteomyelitis. Parasitic infestation should be included in the differential diagnosis of a new skin lesion in patients who have traveled to endemic areas.
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Emergency radiology · Jan 2013
ReviewTransient lateral patellar dislocation: review of imaging findings, patellofemoral anatomy, and treatment options.
Transient patellar dislocation is a common sports-related injury in young adults. Although patients often present to the emergency department with acute knee pain and hemarthrosis, spontaneous reduction frequently occurs, and half of cases are unsuspected clinically. Characteristic magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings often lead to the diagnosis. ⋯ This article will also briefly review patellofemoral anatomy and passive, active, and static stabilizers. Predisposing factors for patellar instability, including trochlear dysplasia, patella alta, and lateralization of the patella or tibial tuberosity and their relevant measurements will also be highlighted. Treatment options, including surgery, such as medial patellofemoral ligament reconstruction, tibial tuberosity transfer, and trochleoplasty, and their postoperative imaging appearances will also be discussed.
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Emergency radiology · Jan 2013
Utility of head CT in the evaluation of vertigo/dizziness in the emergency department.
Acute dizziness (including vertigo) is a common reason to visit the emergency room, and imaging with head CT is often performed initially to exclude a central cause. In this study, consecutive patients presenting with dizziness and undergoing head CT were retrospectively reviewed to determine diagnostic yield. ⋯ The diagnostic yield for head CT ordered in the ER for acute dizziness is low (2.2 %; 1.6 % for emergent findings), but MRI changes the diagnosis up to 16 % of the time, acutely in 8 % of cases. Consistent with the American College of Radiology appropriateness criteria and the literature, this study suggests a low diagnostic yield for CT in the evaluation of acute dizziness but an important role for MRI in appropriately selected cases.