European journal of radiology
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Previous studies based on voxel-based morphometry (VBM) had revealed brain gray matter (GM) changes in chronic smokers relative to nonsmokers. However, not all studies reported entirely consistent findings, or even opposite. The aim of this study was to conduct a quantitative meta-analysis of VBM studies of chronic smokers. ⋯ This meta-analysis indicated that chronic cigarette smokers had significant and robust brain GM alternations compared with nonsmokers. Longitudinal studies should be performed in the future to explore whether these brain regions could be used as potential therapeutic neuro-target for nicotine dependence.
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Meta Analysis Comparative Study
Systematic review and meta-analysis of whole-body computed tomography compared to conventional radiological procedures of trauma patients.
The superior diagnostic accuracy of CT makes it an attractive tool for initial trauma imaging. This meta-analysis aimed to assess the evidence regarding the value of whole-body CT (WBCT) as part of the primary survey, in comparison to conventional radiological procedures. ⋯ This review demonstrates that WBCT markedly reduces time spent in ED. No significant differences in mortality rate are suggested. WBCT currently entails greater radiation dose and mechanical ventilation time. Further research is necessitated to address limitations of predominately retrospective observational data available.
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Review Meta Analysis
Follow-up of cerebral aneurysm embolization with hydrogel embolic system: Systematic review and meta-analysis.
Hydrogel embolic system (HES) for endovascular treatment of cerebral aneurysms was developed to reduce the risk of aneurysm recurrence and the rate of retreatment. The aim of this systematic review was to verify the efficacy of HES, also in comparison to bare platinum coils (BPC). ⋯ Embolization of cerebral aneurysms using HES seems to result in a lower rate of recurrence than that obtained using BPC, which is in line with the only randomized controlled trial. High-quality prospective studies are needed to define specific indications for the use of hydrogel-coated coils.
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Increasing neuroimaging studies have revealed brain gray matter (GM) atrophy by voxel-based morphometry (VBM) studies in patients with dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB) relative to healthy controls. However, the spatial localization of GM abnormalities reported in the existing studies is heterogeneous. Here, we aimed to investigate concurrence across VBM studies to help clarify the structural abnormalities underpinning this condition. ⋯ The present meta-analysis quantitatively demonstrates a characteristic pattern of GM alternations that contributed to the understanding of pathophysiology underlying DLB. Future studies will benefit from employing meta-analytical comparisons to other dementia subtypes with solid evidence to extend these findings.
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Meta Analysis Comparative Study
Diagnostic value of whole-body diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging for detection of primary and metastatic malignancies: a meta-analysis.
To perform a meta-analysis to evaluate the diagnostic performance of whole-body diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging (WB-DWI) technique in detection of primary and metastatic malignancies compared with that of whole-body positron emission tomography/computed tomography (WB-PET/CT). ⋯ WB-DWI has similar, good diagnostic performance for the detection of primary and metastatic malignancies compared with WB-PET/CT. DWIBS with other MR sequences could further improve the diagnostic performance. More high-quality studies regarding comparison of WB-DWI and WB-PET/CT and combination of them in detecting malignancies are still needed to be conducted.