Emergency radiology
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Bony avulsions about the knee are common injuries seen in the emergency room. Unawareness of characteristic radiographic patterns of injury that herald potential instability and require further workup can result in significant morbidity. ⋯ Emphasis is on injuries leading to instability, and often surgical management. MRI is a useful imaging tool for screening and surgical planning in this setting of patients.
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The last decade witnessed significant and unprecedented advances in the treatment of acute ischemic stroke. Intravenous tissue plasminogen activator and defibrinogenating agent are both now approved by the Food and Drug Administration for treatment of acute ischemic stroke within 3 h of symptom onset. ⋯ The future for the development of new and better treatment for ischemic stroke looks very promising. Currently, induced hypothermia, laser evaporation, mechanical thrombectomy, angioplasty with stent placement, the combination of neuroprotective agents with thrombolysis, and the combination of intravenous with intra-arterial thrombolysis are being investigated.
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Emergency radiology · Aug 2004
Review Case ReportsIntrathecal injection of epidural blood patch: a case report and review of the literature.
Epidural blood patch (EBP) is a commonly performed procedure for the treatment of persistent severe post- dural-puncture headache (PDPH). It has a high success rate with a low incidence of complications. We report the case of a 27-year-old woman who developed progressive back pain and radicular symptoms after an EBP was performed for PDPH. ⋯ Gradual recovery occurred without the need for intervention. To our knowledge, this is the only case demonstrating the MRI findings of a rare complication of a common procedure. Radiologists may benefit from familiarity with epidural blood patching, including the technique, risks, benefits, and potential complications
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Emergency radiology · Jul 2004
ReviewControversies in emergency radiology. CT versus ultrasound in the evaluation of blunt abdominal trauma.
There has been controversy regarding ultrasonography (US) versus CT in blunt abdominal trauma (BAT). Each modality has its strengths and weaknesses. US is fast and allows resuscitative efforts to proceed while the patient is being scanned. ⋯ However, CT involves ionizing radiation, cannot be performed portably, and requires only visual monitoring while scanning. Given each modality's strengths and weaknesses we conclude that CT is the preferred examination when the BAT patient is stable or moderately stable, enough to be taken to CT. If a BAT patient is unstable, US is beneficial in screening for certain injuries or large hemoperitoneum prior to an exploratory laparotomy.