Clinical radiology
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Multicenter Study
Audit of the use of IVC filters in the UK: experience from three centres over 12 years.
To audit the use of inferior vena cava (IVC) filter insertions at three UK centres over 12 years to assess whether trends in filter use in the UK mirrored those seen elsewhere. ⋯ IVC filter use in the UK is increasing. The use of retrievable filters has not resulted in increased filter retrieval. Filter insertion and retrieval is associated with a low risk of significant complication, but lack of systematic follow-up limits conclusions regarding safety and efficacy.
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Multicenter Study
Ultrasonography for suspected deep vein thrombosis: how useful is single-point augmentation?
To assess the role of single-point augmentation of spectral Doppler flow in the diagnosis of acute deep vein thrombosis (DVT). Secondary objectives included identifying the augmentation response in non-DVT diagnoses. ⋯ This study demonstrates that single-point augmentation has a low sensitivity in suspected lower-limb DVT, and that the majority of undetected DVTs are isolated to the calf veins. An abnormal augmentation response is a poor predictor of lower-limb DVT as alternative diagnoses can produce diminished or reduced augmentation. Therefore, single-point augmentation does not add to the standard compression ultrasound examination for suspected DVT and should not be routinely performed.
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Multicenter Study
Analysis of the factors associated with radiofrequency ablation-induced pneumothorax.
To define the characteristics most likely to result in radiofrequency ablation (RFA)-induced pneumothorax. ⋯ The number of tumours, electrode positions, and the anticipated electrode trajectory through aerated lung impacts on the likelihood of a pneumothorax. These considerations should be factored into patient selection, the choice of approach, and trajectory used in RFA.
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Multicenter Study
Inter-observer variation in the interpretation of chest radiographs for pneumonia in community-acquired lower respiratory tract infections.
To assess inter-observer variation in the interpretation of chest radiographs of individuals with pneumonia versus those without pneumonia. ⋯ The overall inter-observer agreement adjusted for chance was moderate. Inter-observer agreement in cases with pneumonia was much worse than the agreement in negative (i.e. non-pneumonia) cases. A general practitioner's selection of patients with a higher chance of having pneumonia for chest radiography would thus not improve the observer agreement.