Radiology
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Multicenter Study Comparative Study
Minor head injury: CT-based strategies for management--a cost-effectiveness analysis.
To compare the cost-effectiveness of using selective computed tomographic (CT) strategies with that of performing CT in all patients with minor head injury (MHI). ⋯ Selecting patients with MHI for CT renders cost savings and may be cost-effective, provided the sensitivity for the identification of patients who require neurosurgery is extremely high. Uncertainty regarding long-term functional outcomes after MHI justifies the routine use of CT in all patients with these injuries.
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Multicenter Study
Nephrogenic systemic fibrosis: change in incidence following a switch in gadolinium agents and adoption of a gadolinium policy--report from two U.S. universities.
To determine the incidence of nephrogenic systemic fibrosis (NSF) in tertiary care centers of two U.S. universities following the switch from the use of gadodiamide to gadobenate dimeglumine and gadopentetate dimeglumine, and the adoption of restrictive gadolinium-based contrast agent (GBCA) policies. ⋯ Following the switch from gadodiamide to gadobenate dimeglumine and gadopentetate dimeglumine, and the adoption of restrictive GBCA policies, no NSF cases were observed at either center.
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Randomized Controlled Trial Multicenter Study Comparative Study
Lumbar spine: reliability of MR imaging findings.
To characterize the inter- and intraobserver variability of qualitative, non-disk contour degenerative findings of the lumbar spine at magnetic resonance (MR) imaging. ⋯ The interpretation of general lumbar spine MR characteristics has sufficient reliability to warrant the further evaluation of these features as potential prognostic indicators.
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Multicenter Study Comparative Study
Renal artery stenosis evaluation: diagnostic performance of gadobenate dimeglumine-enhanced MR angiography--comparison with DSA.
To prospectively determine diagnostic performance and safety of contrast material-enhanced (CE) magnetic resonance (MR) angiography with 0.1 mmol per kilogram of body weight gadobenate dimeglumine for depiction of significant steno-occlusive disease (> or =51% stenosis) of renal arteries, with digital subtraction angiography (DSA) as reference standard. ⋯ CE MR angiography performed with 0.1 mmol/kg gadobenate dimeglumine, compared with DSA, is safe and provides good sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy for detection of significant renal artery steno-occlusive disease.
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Multicenter Study
Acute pulmonary embolism: sensitivity and specificity of ventilation-perfusion scintigraphy in PIOPED II study.
To use Prospective Investigation of Pulmonary Embolism Diagnosis (PIOPED) II data to retrospectively determine sensitivity and specificity of ventilation-perfusion (V/Q) scintigraphic studies categorized as pulmonary embolism (PE) present or PE absent and the proportion of patients for whom these categories applied. ⋯ In a population similar to that in PIOPED II, results of V/Q scintigraphy can be diagnostically definitive in a majority of patients; thus, it can be considered an appropriate pulmonary imaging procedure in patients for whom CT angiography may be disadvantageous.