Radiology
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To determine prospectively the feasibility, complications, and mid- and long-term advantages of peripheral insertion of central catheters in infants and children. ⋯ Peripheral insertion of central catheters was highly feasible in infants and children with this protocol. Such catheters were well tolerated in the pediatric population with a low frequency of complications.
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To determine whether the combined use of heavily and moderately T2-weighted fast spin-echo magnetic resonance (MR) images improves differentiation of non-solid, benign hepatic lesions from solid malignancies. ⋯ The combined use of moderately and heavily T2-weighted fast spin-echo MR images improves differentiation of small benign hepatic lesions from small malignant lesions.
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To evaluate causative factors of cerebral edema after stereotactic radiosurgery or stereotactic radiation therapy in intracranial meningiomas. ⋯ A smaller dose per fraction and aggressive use of steroids may help prevent life-threatening complications due to worsening edema.
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Randomized Controlled Trial Multicenter Study Clinical Trial
Rapid MR imaging versus plain radiography in patients with low back pain: initial results of a randomized study.
To demonstrate the feasibility of a randomized trial to compare rapid magnetic resonance (MR) imaging with plain radiography as the initial imaging study in patients with low back pain, to test measures of the decision-making process and patient outcomes, and to offer a model for using randomized clinical trials to evaluate diagnostic tests. ⋯ Randomly selecting patients to undergo imaging examinations and measuring outcomes is feasible; however, a larger, multicenter study is necessary to determine whether rapid MR imaging is a cost-effective replacement for plain radiography in patients with low back pain.
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To identify a population of patients who may not need chest radiography after diagnostic thoracentesis by assessing and comparing the pneumothorax rates in patients with mechanical ventilation (intubation) versus spontaneously breathing patients (no intubation). ⋯ Spontaneously breathing patients who undergo diagnostic thoracentesis do not need postprocedure chest radiography.