Acta radiologica
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Comparative Study
Lumbar disc degeneration. Correlation between CT and CT/discography.
Computed tomography (CT) images of 59 discs in 30 patients suffering from low back pain were compared with CT/discography images of the same discs in order to assess the correlation between intradiscal damage and changes in annular configuration and density. The discs were graded in CT as not bulging, slight protrusion, advanced protrusion or disc herniation, and were checked for local areas of hypodensity. General degeneration and annular disruption in CT/discography were evaluated separately according to the Dallas Discogram Description, on a scale of non-existent, slight, moderate, or severe. ⋯ Disc herniation was associated only with severe annular disruption. Local hypodensity proved to be a specific but insensitive sign of annular disruption. It is concluded that a bulging disc is a sign of intradiscal damage and should be noted even when there is no nerve entrapment present.
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The influence of flip angle and TR on signal to noise ratio and contrast between cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and cord was evaluated in cervical spine imaging in 5 volunteers, using gradient echo technique. All experiments were performed on a 0.3 tesla Fonar beta-3000 M scanner using solenoidal surface coils. The most useful sequence was considered to be TR/TE = 300/12 ms and 10 degrees flip angle. ⋯ The sequence was also evaluated in 10 patients with degenerative disease and in 5 with lesions in the cord. The gradient echo sequence was found to be equal to or better than short and long TR/TE spin echo sequences in demonstrating narrowing of the spinal canal and cord lesion. The drawback is the limited signal to noise ratio.
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The results of chest radiography in 581 patients with blunt minor thoracic trauma were reviewed. Frontal and lateral views of the chest indicated pathology in 72 patients (12.4%). ⋯ The physical examination and the results of chest radiography were not in accordance because in 6 (30%) of the 20 patients with hemo/pneumothorax the physical examination was normal. Consequently there is wide indication for chest radiography after minor blunt chest trauma.
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Comparative Study
Radiography and ultrasonography in paranasal sinusitis.
In order to analyze whether ultrasonography with a reasonable degree of confidence can replace radiography in the diagnosis of sinusitis, 138 patients with clinical signs of sinusitis were examined with both methods. It was found that maxillary sinus fluid was recognized ultrasonographically with a confidence that increased with the amount of fluid, judged from radiographic examinations. In a sub-group of 45 cases, fluid confirmed by maxillary sinus puncture was detected by ultrasonography in 35/45 sinuses (78%) and by radiology in 38/45 sinuses (84%). ⋯ However, mucosal swelling and polyps or cysts observed at radiography were poorly demonstrated by ultrasonography. In addition, the ultrasound method was not reliable for frontal sinus diagnosis. It was concluded that ultrasonography can be recommended in maxillary sinusitis for follow-up of treatment and as a screening method before sinus radiography.