Emergency medicine summary code for reporting CT scan results: implementation and survey results.

Purpose: The purpose of the study was to assess the emergency department (ED) providers' interest and satisfaction with ED CT result reporting before and after the implementation of a standardized summary code for all CT scan reporting.

Materials And Methods: A summary code was provided at the end of all CTs ordered through the ED from August to October of 2016. A retrospective review was completed on all studies performed during this period.

Dose of reduced z-axis length of computed tomography angiography (CTA) of the chest for pulmonary embolism using 64-detector rows and adaptive iterative reconstruction techniques.

The objective of this study is to compare the dose of CT angiography (CTA) for the diagnosis of pulmonary embolism (PE) performed using a reduced z-axis to conventional CTA for PE, both using adaptive iterative reconstruction technique on a 64-detector row device. The institutional review board approved a waiver of informed consent. A study was performed to consecutive patients having CTA for PE in the emergency department (ED).

Reduced Z-axis coverage multidetector CT angiography for suspected acute pulmonary embolism could decrease dose and maintain diagnostic accuracy.

Multidetector computed tomographic angiography (MDCTA) is the method of choice for evaluation of suspected acute pulmonary embolism (PE) in most patients because it is accurate and widely available. The use of computed tomography, including MDCTA for PE, has risen dramatically over the last several years with an attendant rise in radiation exposure. Many methods currently employed to reduce radiation dose may affect image quality and potentially affect diagnostic accuracy.

Incorporation of a formalized emergency radiology curriculum to facilitate population of a MIRC-based digital teaching file.

Teaching files are integral to radiological training. Digital Imaging and Communication in Medicine compatible digital radiological data and technological advances have made digital teaching files a desirable way to preserve and share representative and/or unusual cases for training purposes. The Medical Imaging Resource Community (MIRC) system developed by the Radiological Society of North America (RSNA) is a robust multi-platform digital teaching file implementation that is freely available.

Testicular cooling associated with testicular torsion and its detection by infrared thermography: an experimental study in sheep.

Purpose: We determined whether experimental testicular torsion results in gonadal cooling and whether testicular temperature changes can be detected by infrared thermography.

Materials And Methods: A nonblinded, randomized, controlled trial was done in 6 anesthetized sheep. Thermocouple probes recorded testicular temperature every 15 minutes for 6 hours after experimental side 720-degree medial testicular torsion with orchiopexy or control side sham procedure with orchiopexy and for 75 minutes after procedure reduction.

Process modification and emergency department radiology service.

Our purpose was to demonstrate the impact of changes in technology, staffing, and departmental processes on service levels in emergency department (ED) radiology. We also attempted to determine if report turnaround time affects ED patient throughput. Radiology performance was evaluated before and after the modifications of processes integral to the interpretation of ED imaging.

Complex cystic breast masses: diagnostic approach and imaging-pathologic correlation.

Complex cystic breast masses demonstrate both anechoic (cystic) and echogenic (solid) components at ultrasonography (US). US is used to identify and characterize such masses and to guide percutaneous biopsy. Numerous pathologic entities may produce complex cystic breast lesions or may be associated with them, and biopsy is usually indicated.

Feasibility of using near-infrared spectroscopy to diagnose testicular torsion: an experimental study in sheep.

Study Objective: To assess whether near-infrared spectroscopy can detect testicular hypoxia in a sheep model of testicular torsion within 6 hours of experimental torsion.

Methods: This was a randomized, controlled, nonblinded study. Trans-scrotal, near-infrared, spectroscopy-derived testicular tissue saturation of oxygen values were obtained from the posterior hemiscrota of 6 anesthetized sheep at baseline and every 15 minutes for 6 hours after either experimental-side, 720-degree, unilateral, medial testicular torsion and orchidopexy or control-side sham procedure with orchidopexy and then for 75 minutes after reduction of torsion and pexy.

Prospective comparison of helical CT of the abdomen and pelvis without and with oral contrast in assessing acute abdominal pain in adult Emergency Department patients.

Purpose: This prospective study compares the agreement of nonenhanced helical computed tomography (NECT) with oral contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CECT) in Emergency Department (ED) patients presenting with acute abdominal pain.

Materials And Methods: One hundred eighteen patients presenting to the ED with acute abdominal pain undergoing CT were enrolled over a 13-month period using convenience sampling. Exclusion criteria included acute trauma, pregnancy, unstable patients, and patients suspected of having urinary calculi.

MRI diagnosis of spontaneous uterine rupture of an unscarred uterus.

Spontaneous uterine rupture is a rare, potentially catastrophic complication of pregnancy, and its prompt diagnosis and treatment are essential in limiting morbidity and mortality. Clinical diagnosis is difficult and relies heavily on diagnostic imaging. Radiological diagnosis is also often difficult with most documented cases involving the use of ultrasound and computed tomography.

Patient encounter time intervals in the evaluation of emergency department patients requiring abdominopelvic CT: oral contrast versus no contrast.

The aim of the study was to assess various time intervals during patient encounters involving unenhanced (NECT) versus oral-contrast-enhanced (CECT) abdominopelvic (A/P) CT performed in the emergency department (ED) on adult patients presenting with acute abdominal pain. Computerized patient order entry and administrative data as well as scans themselves were retrospectively evaluated at a high-volume (107,000 visits per annum) regional medical center urban ED for a period of 30 consecutive days. All adult patients who had CT of abdomen and pelvis for abdominal pain during the 30 days of the study period were included.

Breast masses: removal of all US evidence during biopsy by using a handheld vacuum-assisted device--initial experience.

Purpose: To assess the effects of removal of all ultrasonographic (US) evidence of breast lesions by using a vacuum-assisted biopsy (VAB) device.

Materials And Methods: Thirty-four women with breast masses underwent US-guided biopsy with an 11-gauge VAB device, with which removal of all evidence of the lesion was attempted. Histologic findings were compared with results of surgery and follow-up imaging.