Trends in computed tomography utilization and association with hospital outcomes in a Chinese emergency department.

Background: Excessive use of computed tomography (CT) in emergency departments (EDs) has become a concern due to its expense and the potential risks associated with radiation exposure. Although studies have shown a steady increase in the number of CT scans requested by ED physicians in developed countries like the United States and Australia, few empirical data are available regarding China.

Methods And Findings: We retrospectively analyzed a database of ED visits to a tertiary Chinese hospital to examine trends in CT utilization and their association with ED outcomes between 2005 and 2008.

Effect of increased intra-abdominal pressure and decompressive laparotomy on aerated lung volume distribution.

Increased intra-abdominal pressure (IAP) is common in intensive care patients, affecting aerated lung volume distribution. The current study deals with the effect of increased IAP and decompressive laparotomy on aerated lung volume distribution. The serial whole-lung computed tomography scans of 16 patients with increased IAP were retrospectively analyzed between July 2006 and July 2008 and compared to controls.