Radiology
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Review
Imaging evaluation of adult spinal injuries: emphasis on multidetector CT in cervical spine trauma.
As computed tomography (CT) technology has evolved, multidetector CT has become an integral part of the initial assessment of many injured patients, and the spine is easily included in the total body screening performed in patients with severe blunt polytrauma. Despite all the advantages of multidetector CT, clearing the spine in which injury is suspected continues to be a daily challenge in clinical practice. ⋯ The discussion is centered on the increasing reliance on multidetector CT in the work-up of these patients but also considers the important contributions of clinical trials to select patient for appropriate imaging on the basis of risk and probability of injury. Available protocols, injury classification systems, and issues awaiting future research are addressed.
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To identify intraorbital and intracranial abnormalities in astronauts previously exposed to microgravity by using quantitative and qualitative magnetic resonance (MR) techniques. ⋯ Exposure to microgravity can result in a spectrum of intraorbital and intracranial findings similar to those in idiopathic intracranial hypertension.
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To evaluate use of imaging in children with acute abdominal pain who present to U.S. emergency departments (EDs). ⋯ The main findings of this study are that the rate of CT use in the evaluation of abdominal pain in children increased every year between 1999 and 2007 and that the use of CT was greater among children seen in adult-focused EDs. Factors affecting CT use include sex, race, age, insurance status, and geographic region.