Emergency radiology
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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.
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Emergency radiology · Dec 2006
Comparative StudyInitial experience with Lodox Statscan imaging system for detecting injuries of the pelvis and appendicular skeleton.
The purpose of this study is to assess detection of pelvic and extremity injuries employing a rapid whole-body imaging system (Lodox Statscan). We retrospectively reviewed 37 consecutive cases. The study was approved by our hospital review board and carried out with Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) compliance. ⋯ Twenty-six additional abnormalities were detected with the other modalities (CR, CT) in 11 patients; 8 were evident on LS images in retrospect, with the remaining 18 not identified even retrospectively. Of these retrospectively occult injuries, only one was deemed significant to the acute management of the patient. The LS imaging system seems to be a useful tool for rapid screening of multitrauma patients.
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Emergency radiology · Dec 2006
Blast injuries from Madrid terrorist bombing attacks on March 11, 2004.
Blast injuries after terrorist attacks are seen with increasing frequency worldwide. Thousands of victims were attended in the hospitals of Madrid, Spain, on March 11, 2004 after the bombing attacks against the commuter trains. Thirty-six patients were attended in our institution. ⋯ Emergency radiology had an important role in the correct management of the victims. Prompt radiological diagnoses of these complex lesions are crucial to efficient treatment. Therefore, radiologists have to become familiar with the injury patterns and specific lesions caused by blast wave.
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Emergency radiology · Nov 2006
Combined head and abdominal computed tomography for blunt trauma: which patients with minor head trauma benefit most?
The widespread availability of computed tomography (CT) in the diagnosis and management of blunt trauma has created the possibility of overuse without clear indications. Some clinicians believe that patients with head injury, intoxication, and/or distracting injury have an unreliable abdominal examination and should undergo combined head and abdomen CT. The objective of this study was to evaluate which patients with minor head trauma benefit most from combined head and abdomen CT. ⋯ Hematuria was associated with increased risk of combined head and intraabdominal injury (OR 8.3, P=0.0004) or isolated intraabdominal injury (OR 7.9, P=0.0001). Patients with loss of consciousness and/or GCS of 14 frequently undergo head CT. The addition of an abdomen CT scan in this patient population should be based on objective clinical criteria such as presence of abdominal tenderness and/or hematuria.
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Emergency radiology · Nov 2006
Multidetector-row computed tomography diagnosis of small bowel obstruction: can coronal reformations replace axial images?
Feasibility of diagnosing small bowel obstruction on multidetector-row computed tomography (MDCT) using coronal reformations alone is evaluated. Three radiologists with subspecialty training in abdominal imaging reviewed abdominopelvic CT of 67 patients in consensus. Thirty-four patients had surgically proven small bowel obstruction. ⋯ There were approximately 20% fewer images in the coronal reformation data set, and the radiologists found review of these images to be easier for localizing the zone of transition in small bowel obstruction. Very high diagnostic accuracy can be achieved based on coronal reformations alone, and this form of image display may potentially be substituted for the conventional axial images. Since there are fewer images to review when the studies are displayed in coronal plane, this may positively impact radiologist workflow.