Radiology
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To study factors that may influence pneumothorax and chest tube placement rate, especially needle dwell time and pleural puncture angle. ⋯ Longer dwell times do not correlate with pneumothorax and should not influence the decision to obtain more biopsy samples. A shallow pleural puncture angle may increase the pneumothorax rate.
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To evaluate the accuracy of screening abdominal ultrasonography (US) in patients with blunt abdominal trauma. ⋯ Abdominal US is useful in screening for injury in patients with blunt abdominal trauma, and its use represents a notable change in institutional practice. Diagnostic peritoneal lavage is rarely performed, and CT is used when screening US findings are positive, when injury is clinically suspected despite negative US findings, or when US is not available.