Emergency radiology
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The aim of the study was to determine the value of CT in the evaluation of cervical spine trauma in children under 5 years in the Emergency Department. A retrospective review of 606 patients undergoing cervical spine examination in the emergency room was undertaken. The age and sex of the patients were documented, and in addition presence or absence of fracture-dislocation was noted on each of the plain film and CT studies. ⋯ All of these patients had positive, diagnostic findings on initial plain film evaluation. Another five patients demonstrated new findings which were unrelated to trauma and of no clinical consequence. The yield of positive, clinically significant findings on CT of cervical spine injuries in children less than 5 years was low and showed significant findings only in patients where the same findings were seen on initial plain radiographs.
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Emergency radiology · Oct 2003
Anterior rim tibial plateau fractures and posterolateral corner knee injury.
The aim of this study was to review MRI findings of clinically suspected posterolateral corner knee injuries and their associated internal derangements. Sixteen knees in 15 patients who had evidence of a posterolateral corner knee injury on the physical exam underwent MRI to evaluate the posterolateral corner of the knee and to look for associated injuries. Two musculoskeletal radiologists reviewed the scans. ⋯ In our study MRI readily detected posterolateral corner injuries. Posterolateral corner injuries of the knee are frequently associated with a variety of significant injuries, including cruciate ligament tears, meniscus tears, and fractures. Fractures of the peripheral anteromedial tibial plateau are not common; however, given their relatively common occurrence in this study, they may be an indicator of a posterolateral corner injury to the knee.
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The purpose of this study was to evaluate the diagnostic equivalence, radiation dose, clinical usefulness and radiographic aspects of a low-dose, full-body digital X-ray machine in a busy trauma unit. A digital trauma X-ray machine known as "LODOX" was compared with conventional radiography between June 1999 and November 2001 in the Groote Schuur Hospital Trauma Unit, Cape Town. Digital images of a variety of body regions commonly imaged in trauma were compared for diagnostic image quality in a number of categories with equivalent conventional radiographs. ⋯ FDA approval is awaited. Projected cost is similar to that of flat-panel digital units. This digital unit was felt to be diagnostically substantially equivalent to conventional radiographs, with low-dose full-body imaging, improved workflow, digital technology and long-term cost benefits as potentially favourable contributions to trauma imaging.
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Emergency radiology · Jul 2002
Reappraisal of use of X-rays in childhood ankle and midfoot injuries.
To determine whether the Ottawa ankle rules (OAR) can be applied in children and what the potential reduction in the use of X-ray studies might be. ⋯ The Ottawa ankle rules are very sensitive and can be applied in children, resulting in a reduction in the use of X-rays studies.
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Emergency radiology · Jul 2002
Utilization of CT-PA in an emergency department with readily available V/Q scintigraphy.
To describe the role of computed tomographic pulmonary angiography (CT-PA) in the emergency department of an institution which utilizes ventilation-perfusion (V/Q) scintigraphy as its primary imaging modality for the diagnosis of pulmonary embolism. ⋯ V/Q scintigraphy is the primary imaging modality for suspected pulmonary embolism in our emergency department. However, when utilized, CT-PA played an important role in patient management by confirming or excluding pulmonary embolism or providing an alternative diagnosis in the majority of patients suspected of having pulmonary embolism.