Emergency radiology
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Emergency radiology · Oct 2018
Ultrasound features of purulent skin and soft tissue infection without abscess.
Ultrasound (US) aids clinical management of skin and soft tissue infection (SSTI) by differentiating non-purulent cellulitis from abscess. However, purulent SSTI may be present without abscess. Guidelines recommend incision and drainage (I & D) for purulent SSTI, but US descriptions of purulent SSTI without abscess are lacking. ⋯ Cobblestoning or interstitial fluid on US may indicate presence of culture-positive, purulent SSTI in patients without US appearance of abscess. Although our study has limitations due to its retrospective design, this US appearance should alert imagers that the patient may benefit from early I & D.
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Emergency radiology · Oct 2018
An assessment of repeat computed tomography utilization in the emergency department in the setting of blunt trauma.
Computed tomography (CT) is a standard imaging modality utilized during the evaluation of trauma patients in the emergency department (ED). However, while it is common to utilize intravenous (IV) contrast as an adjunct, the use of multiple CT scans and how it impacts patient flow can lead to changes in patient management. Our objectives are to assess length of stay (LOS) and rates of acute kidney injury (AKI), when two CT scans of the abdomen/pelvis are performed compared to one CT scan. ⋯ Two CT scans performed during blunt trauma encounters demonstrated mixed benefit and were associated with an increased hospital LOS. Additionally, IV contrast was associated with lower rates of AKI.
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Emergency radiology · Oct 2018
Comparative StudyClinical outcomes after magnetic resonance angiography (MRA) versus computed tomographic angiography (CTA) for pulmonary embolism evaluation.
To compare patient outcomes following magnetic resonance angiography (MRA) versus computed tomographic angiography (CTA) ordered for suspected pulmonary embolism (PE). ⋯ Within the inherent limitations of a retrospective case-controlled analysis, we observed that the rate of MAPE was lower (more favorable) for patients following pulmonary MRA for the primary evaluation of suspected PE than following CTA.
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Emergency radiology · Aug 2018
ReviewThe utility of scrotal ultrasonography in the emergent setting: beyond epididymitis versus torsion.
Scrotal pain is a common acute presentation for medical care. Testicular torsion and epididymo-orchitis are two diagnoses for which early detection is critical and their sonographic imaging features have been thoroughly described in the radiologic literature. Other important conditions for which radiologists must be aware have received less attention. This article will highlight key traumatic and non-traumatic causes of acute scrotal pain other than testicular torsion and epididymo-orchitis that may present in the emergency department setting.
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Emergency radiology · Aug 2018
Clinical implications of CT findings in mesenteric venous thrombosis at admission.
The main aim of this study was to evaluate the association of computed tomography (CT) findings at admission and bowel resection rate in patients with mesenteric venous thrombosis (MVT). It was hypothesized that abnormal intestinal findings on CT were associated with a higher bowel resection rate. ⋯ The presence of abnormal intestinal findings secondary to MVT confers an excess risk of need of bowel resection due to infarction. Responsible physicians should therefore scrutinize the CT images at diagnosis together with the radiologist to better tailor clinical surveillance.