Academic radiology
-
Randomized Controlled Trial
Evaluation of analgesic effect of equimolar mixture of oxygen and nitrous oxide inhalation during percutaneous biopsy of focal liver lesions: a double-blind randomized study.
Percutaneous liver biopsy for tumors performed under local anesthesia is still a painful procedure. The aim of this study was to evaluate the patient's reaction and the analgesic efficacy and safety of an equimolar mixture of oxygen and nitrous oxide (EMONO) inhalation. ⋯ This study shows that patients receiving an EMONO had a higher analgesic control after percutaneous biopsy of focal liver lesions than patients in the placebo group. Moreover, acceptance of additional biopsies was higher in the EMONO group.
-
Since the introduction of computed tomographic (CT) imaging in the 1970s, the number of examinations has increased steadily. CT imaging is an essential part of routine workup in diagnostic radiology. The great advantage of multidetector computed tomography is the acquisition of a large amount of data in a short time period, thus speeding up diagnostic procedures. To protect patients from unnecessary radiation exposure, different approaches have been developed. In this study, the efficacy of automated exposure control (AEC) software in multidetector CT imaging with a focus on dose reduction in pediatric examinations was assessed. ⋯ With AEC software, a mean dose reduction of 30% without any loss in diagnostic image quality is possible.
-
The aims of this study were to assess the influence of slice thickness on the ability of radiologists to detect or not detect nodules and to agree or disagree on the diagnosis and also to investigate the potential dependence of these relations on the sizes, average computed tomographic (CT) values, and locations of the nodules. ⋯ The influence of slice thickness on the ability of radiologists to detect or not detect nodules and to agree or disagree on the diagnosis was quantitatively evaluated. Detection and nondetection of NFEs and INNFEs are influenced by size and average CT value. Agreement and disagreement on NFE and INNFE diagnoses are influenced not only by size and average CT value but also, importantly, by the locations of nodules.
-
Pulmonary hypertension (PH) is a life-threatening condition, characterized by elevated pulmonary arterial pressure, which is confirmed based on invasive right heart catheterization (RHC). Noninvasive examinations may support diagnosis of PH before proceeding to RHC and play an important role in management and treatment of the disease. Although echocardiography is considered a standard tool in diagnosis, recent advances have made computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance (MR) imaging promising tools, which may provide morphologic and functional information. In this article, we review image-based assessment of PH with a focus on CT and MR imaging. ⋯ CT may provide useful morphologic information for depicting PH and seeking for underlying diseases. With the accumulated technological advancement, CT and MRI may provide practical tools for not only morphologic but also functional assessment of patients with PH.
-
Comparative Study
Perfusion-weighted map and perfused blood volume in comparison with CT angiography source imaging in acute ischemic stroke different sides of the same coin?
Computed tomography angiography source imaging (CTA-SI) in acute ischemic stroke improves detection rate and estimation of extent of cerebral infarction. This study compared the new components color-coded perfusion weighted map (PWM) and color-coded perfused blood volume (PBV) derived from CTA data with CTA-SI for the visualization of cerebral infarction. ⋯ PWM was equal to CTA-SI in detection of cerebral infarction and estimation of extent of cerebral ischemia. Although PBV was superior to CTA-SI in detection of cerebral infarction, PBV seems to overestimate the extent of critical cerebral ischemia. Therefore, CTA-SI information is not identical to PBV and further clinical evaluation is mandatory.