Routine versus selective computed tomography in non-traumatic acute abdominal pain: meta-analysis of randomised trials.

Purpose: To compare the routine vs. selective use of computed tomography (CT) in patients presenting with non-traumatic acute abdominal pain (AAP) to a surgical service.

Methods: We conducted a systematic review of literature and meta-analysis of outcomes according to PRISMA statement standards to compare the routine vs.

Radiolucent wooden foreign body masquerading as a depressed skull fracture.

The following case describes a head injury in an older male patient in which a large wooden foreign body, forming a subcutaneous tract in the scalp, was mistaken for a depressed skull fracture on initial clinical assessment. This foreign body was not visualised on CT brain imaging until specialised views were used retrospectively, after surgical exploration of the scalp laceration. Appropriate radiological techniques for the detection of radiolucent foreign bodies are discussed.

Preoperative portal vein embolization for major liver resection: a meta-analysis.

Introduction: Preoperative portal vein embolization (PVE) is used clinically to prevent postoperative liver insufficiency. The current study examined the impact of portal vein embolization on liver resection.

Method: A comprehensive Medline search to identify all registered literature in the English language on portal vein embolization.