Australasian radiology
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Australasian radiology · Nov 2001
Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative Study Clinical TrialEfficacy of daily bedside chest radiography as visualized by digital luminescence radiography.
To determine the diagnostic impact of daily bedside chest radiography in comparison with digital luminescence technique (DLR; storage phosphor radiography) and conventional film screen radiography, a prospective randomized study was completed in 210 mechanically ventilated patients with a total of 420 analysed radiographs. The patients were allocated to two groups: 150 patients underwent DLR, and 60 patients underwent conventional film screen radiography. Radiological analysis was performed consensually and therapeutic efficacy was assessed by the clinicians. ⋯ The most common findings were signs of overhydration (41%), pleural effusion (31%), partial collapse of the lung (11%) and pneumothorax (2%). One hundred and twenty-three of 448 (27%) of these abnormal findings were thought to have a considerable impact on patient management. The high rate of abnormal findings with significant impact on patient management suggests that the use of daily bedside chest radiography may be reasonable.
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Australasian radiology · Nov 2001
Case ReportsInvestigations of fatal causes of chest pain: case report and literature review.
A case of fatal ascending aortic dissection (AAD) misdiagnosed as pulmonary embolism (PE) despite strong radiological evidence is described. The occurrence of this serious pathology is uncommon. ⋯ Anticoagulant therapy for pulmonary embolism should be withheld until acute aortic dissection is excluded definitively. A management approach to optimise the outcome of patients with chest pain in which ascending aortic dissection and/or pulmonary embolism are suspected is presented.