Abdominal compartment syndrome and intra-abdominal hypertension in critically ill patients: diagnostic value of computed tomography.

Aims: The aims of the present work were to reevaluate, prospectively, the diagnostic value of already-described computed tomography (CT) landmarks of intra-abdominal hypertension (IAH) and abdominal compartment syndrome (ACS) and to study the diagnostic value of some undescribed CT signs for the diagnosis of IAH and ACS.

Materials And Methods: Consecutive patients admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU) in shock for whom an abdominal CT was clinically indicated were included. CT examinations were reviewed and scored by two reviewers for the 12 proposed CT features of IAH and ACS.

Acute appendicitis: Factors associated with inconclusive ultrasound study and the need for additional computed tomography.

Purpose: To identify variables associated with inconclusive ultrasound examination and the need for further abdominopelvic computed tomography (CT) examination for the diagnosis of acute appendicitis.

Materials And Methods: A total of 105 adult patients with acute appendicitis were included. There were 55 patients (38 men, 17 women; mean age, 23±9 [SD] years; range: 15-58 years) with a diagnosis of acute appendicitis using ultrasound alone and 50 patients (30 men, 20 women; mean age, 31±14 [SD] years; range: 16-83 years) who required further CT.

Predictive value of CT for first esophageal variceal bleeding in patients with cirrhosis: Value of para-umbilical vein patency.

Purpose: To evaluate if the presence/size of a para-umbilical vein (PUV) on computed tomography (CT) are associated with a first esophageal variceal hemorrhage (EVH) in patients with cirrhosis and whether imaging features can help identify patients at increased risk of EVH.

Materials And Methods: From January 2010 to June 2012 patients with cirrhosis who underwent CT and upper gastrointestinal endoscopy within six months were included. The presence/size of PUV was noted.