Radiology
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To retrospectively quantify right ventricular dysfunction (RVD) and the pulmonary artery obstruction index at helical computed tomography (CT) on the basis of various criteria proposed in the literature and to assess the predictive value of these CT parameters for mortality within 3 months after the initial diagnosis of pulmonary embolism (PE). ⋯ Markers of RVD and pulmonary vascular obstruction, assessed with helical CT at baseline, help predict mortality during follow-up.
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To design and validate a dedicated software tool to measure airway dimensions on thin-section computed tomographic (CT) images and to use the tool to prospectively compare airway wall thickness in nonsmokers with normal lung function with that in smokers with and without chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). ⋯ This software provides accurate and reproducible measurements of IA and WA of bronchi on thin-section CT images and demonstrates that in vivo normalized airway wall thickness was larger in smokers with COPD than it was in smokers or nonsmokers without COPD.
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To determine prospectively the diffusibility of water in normal lumbar disks in adults by using the mean apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) and to determine if a relationship exists between disk ADC and magnetic resonance (MR) findings of disk degeneration. ⋯ A statistically significant decrease was seen in the ADC values of degenerated lumbar disks when compared with ADC values of normal disks. More caudal disks, even when normal, showed lower ADC values than more cephalic disks.
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To retrospectively investigate regional in vivo magnetic resonance (MR) imaging transverse and longitudinal relaxation rates at 3.0 T in neonatal brain, the relationship between these rates, and their potential use for gray matter (GM) versus white matter (WM) tissue discrimination. ⋯ Results at 3.0 T indicate that R1 decreases with increasing field strength, while R2 values are similar to those reported at lower field strengths. For neonates, R2 image contrast may be more advantageous than R1 image contrast for differentiation between GM and WM.
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To retrospectively evaluate if the degree of disk degeneration and disk herniation volume at magnetic resonance (MR) imaging are risk factors for recurrent disk herniation. ⋯ Minor disk degeneration but not herniation volume represents a risk factor for the recurrence of disk herniation after diskectomy.