AJR. American journal of roentgenology
-
AJR Am J Roentgenol · Jul 2004
Unpaid radiology claims in New Jersey: incidence and financial implications.
Nonpayment of claims by insurers may lead to major financial losses by physicians. These losses may far exceed the losses from late payment that we studied previously, although it is late payment that has been the primary focus of legislation enacted in 47 states. This article quantifies the loss to radiologists from nonpayment of claims submitted to payers on behalf of patients with insurance. ⋯ The financial consequences of unpaid claims far exceed those associated with late payment, even omitting all unpaid claims that were disputed by payers. Legislation coupled with active enforcement should address this large problem of unpaid claims, which is many times larger than the already legislatively targeted problem of late payment.
-
AJR Am J Roentgenol · Jun 2004
Discrimination of tuberculous spondylitis from pyogenic spondylitis on MRI.
The purpose of this study was to determine the accuracy of MRI for discrimination between tuberculous spondylitis and pyogenic spondylitis. ⋯ MRI was accurate for differentiation of tuberculous spondylitis from pyogenic spondylitis.
-
AJR Am J Roentgenol · Jun 2004
Comparative Study Clinical TrialConventional open surgery versus percutaneous catheter drainage in the treatment of cervical necrotizing fasciitis and descending necrotizing mediastinitis.
The purpose of our study was to determine the clinical usefulness of percutaneous catheter drainage compared with conventional surgical drainage for cervical necrotizing fasciitis and descending necrotizing mediastinitis. SUBJECTS AND METHODS. Thirty-one patients with cervical necrotizing fasciitis and descending necrotizing mediastinitis were included. Twenty consecutive patients were treated by percutaneous catheter drainage. Catheters were introduced into the infected space from the neck, under the guidance of sonography and X-ray fluoroscopy. The results of the treatment were compared with those of 11 patients treated previously by surgical drainage. ⋯ Percutaneous catheter drainage for cervical necrotizing fasciitis and descending necrotizing mediastinitis was less invasive than conventional surgical drainage but produced a similar outcome.
-
AJR Am J Roentgenol · Jun 2004
Comparative StudyOral contrast agents for CT of abdominal trauma in pediatric patients: a comparison of dilute hypaque and water.
Dilute Hypaque Sodium is generally well accepted as an oral contrast agent for CT of pediatric patients who have experienced recent blunt abdominal trauma. However, Hypaque can cause complications. Using water as a substitute contrast agent eliminates these potential complications. The purpose of our study was to compare the performance of water with that of dilute Hypaque as an oral contrast agent. Our hypothesis was that we would find no significant difference in performance between the two agents in defining anatomic details of the hollow gastrointestinal tract. ⋯ In defining anatomic details of the hollow gastrointestinal tract, water is as effective as dilute Hypaque as an oral contrast agent for CT in the setting of acute blunt abdominal trauma in pediatric patients.