Journal of computer assisted tomography
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J Comput Assist Tomogr · Nov 1999
Case ReportsSpontaneous progression of ascending aortic intramural hematoma to Stanford type A dissection fortuitously witnessed during an MR examination.
Aortic intramural hematoma may occur as a primary event (spontaneous dissection without intimal flap) or secondary to a penetrating atherosclerotic ulcer. The management of intramural hematoma of the ascending aorta is somewhat controversial because of limited published data, but some centers advocate early surgical intervention. We describe a patient with an intramural hematoma of the ascending aorta that progressed to a classic communicating dissection during an MR examination. This case graphically demonstrates the potential instability of patients with intramural hematoma of the ascending aorta.
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J Comput Assist Tomogr · Nov 1999
Case ReportsFatal air embolism as a complication of CT-guided needle biopsy of the lung.
A CT-guided needle lung biopsy carries a risk of potential air embolization. We present a rare case of air embolization after this procedure. ⋯ This complication is extremely rare; however, it becomes fatal when it happens. Several points to prevent this fatal complication are discussed.
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J Comput Assist Tomogr · Nov 1999
MRI of marked dural sac compression by surgicel in the immediately postoperative period after uncomplicated lumbar laminectomy.
Our purpose was to determine what represents normal findings on MR examinations of the lumbar spine in the immediately postoperative period following lumbar laminectomy with retained Surgicel. ⋯ Marked spinal canal compression can be a normal finding in the immediately postlaminectomy period in patients with retained Surgicel. There is a lack of correlation between apparent mass effect on the thecal sac and adverse effect. The MR appearance in such instances is not significant in the absence of compressive clinical symptomatology.