Emergency radiology
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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 · Oct 2018
Multicenter StudyBlunt bowel and mesenteric trauma: role of clinical signs along with CT findings in patients' management.
Bowel and/or mesentery injuries represent the third most common injury among patients with blunt abdominal trauma. Delayed diagnosis increases morbidity and mortality. The aim of our study was to evaluate the role of clinical signs along with CT findings as predictors of early surgical repair. ⋯ In patients without solid organ injury (SOI), the presence of free fluid along with abdominal guarding and three or more "minor CT findings" is a significant predictor of early surgical repair. The association of bowel wall discontinuity with extraluminal air warrants exploratory laparotomy.
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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 · 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.
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Emergency radiology · Aug 2018
ReviewA review of split-bolus single-pass CT in the assessment of trauma patients.
The purpose of this study was to review and compare the image quality and radiation dose of split-bolus single-pass computed tomography(CT) in the assessment of trauma patients in comparison to standard multi-phase CT techniques. ⋯ Parenchymal and vascular image qualities, as well as subjective image quality assessments, were equal or superior in comparison to non-split-bolus multi-phase trauma CT protocols. Split-bolus single-pass CT decreased radiation exposure in all studies. Further research is required to determine the superior split-bolus protocol and the specificity and sensitivity of detecting blunt cerebrovascular injury screening, splenic parenchymal vascular lesions, and characterization of pelvic vascular extravasation.