The American journal of emergency medicine
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Comparative Study
Colonic diverticulitis diagnosed by computed tomography in the ED.
The purpose of this study is to evaluate the application of computed tomography (CT) in the diagnosis of colonic diverticulitis in the emergency department (ED). Clinical information and CT images of 38 proved cases of colonic diverticulitis were reviewed retrospectively. ⋯ The CT findings were correlated with clinical prognosis and 3 parameters were found to be indicators for poor prognosis: older age, abscess formation, and presence of free air. The patients with diverticulitis on right side colon were found to be younger in age and the lesions were shorter in involved length with higher incidence of muscular hypertrophy and less incidence of perforation, as compared with the left side group.
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Computed tomography has had a questionable role in diagnosing blunt aortic injury (BAI). The objective of this study was to determine the effectiveness of helical computed tomography of the thorax (HCTT) for detection of BAI. Trauma Registry data and medical records were reviewed for 2,854 patients admitted over a 32-month period. ⋯ HCTT effectively screens for BAI. Aortography can be more specifically applied as a diagnostic study when preceded by HCTT. HCTT should not be used as solitary study for BAI as some injuries identified by HCTT do not represent BAI.