AJR. American journal of roentgenology
-
AJR Am J Roentgenol · Apr 2015
Dysphagia secondary to anterior cervical fusion: radiologic evaluation and findings in 74 patients.
The objective of our study was to assess the frequency, cause, and time course of dysphagia after anterior cervical fusion (ACF). ⋯ Dysphagia is an underrecognized but significant complication of ACF. After ACF, 4.1% of patients presented for radiologic evaluation of dysphagia. Although ACF procedures are most frequently performed in the lower cervical spine, dysphagia is a more common clinical problem after ACF in the mid cervical spine. Radiologic examinations should be specifically tailored to evaluate ACF patients.
-
AJR Am J Roentgenol · Apr 2015
Performance of CT examinations in children with suspected acute appendicitis in the community setting: a need for more education.
Despite a recent focus on the preferential use of ultrasound over CT for pediatric appendicitis, most children transferred from community hospitals still undergo diagnostic CT scans. The purpose of this study was to evaluate CT techniques performed for children with acute appendicitis at nonpediatric treatment centers. ⋯ CT parameters and radiation doses from single-phase examinations in children with appendicitis were similar at nonpediatric treatment centers and a tertiary care children's hospital. Future educational outreach should focus on optimizing other technical parameters.
-
1. CT radiation dose optimization is one of the major concerns for the scientific community. 2. ⋯ Tube current is the most common parameter used to reduce radiation dose along with iterative reconstruction. 5. Tube potential (kV) is also used for dose optimization with iterative reconstruction in CT angiography protocols and small patients.
-
AJR Am J Roentgenol · Apr 2015
Simulation center training as a means to improve resident performance in percutaneous noncontinuous CT-guided fluoroscopic procedures with dose reduction.
The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of a multifaceted simulation-based resident training for CT-guided fluoroscopic procedures by measuring procedural and technical skills, radiation dose, and procedure times before and after simulation training. ⋯ CT simulation training decreases procedural time, decreases radiation dose, and improves resident efficiency and confidence, which may transfer to clinical practice with improved patient care and safety.
-
AJR Am J Roentgenol · Apr 2015
Comparative StudyPET/MRI for the evaluation of patients with lymphoma: initial observations.
The objective of our study was to assess the role of recently introduced hybrid PET/MRI in the evaluation of lymphoma patients using PET/CT as a reference standard. ⋯ PET/MRI can be used to assess disease burden in lymphoma with sensitivity similar to PET/CT and can be a viable alternative for lymphoma staging and follow-up.