Publications by authors named "Gary F Alsofrom"

Objective: Parallel transmission MRI at 3 T improves image quality by reducing dielectric effects with radiofrequency shimming. The purpose of this study was to determine whether parallel transmission MRI improves signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) and contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR) in lumbar spine MRI at 3 T.

Materials And Methods: Ten healthy volunteers underwent T1-weighted MRI and nine healthy volunteers underwent T2-weighted MRI of the lumbar spine.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Objective: The purpose of our study was to determine the discrepancy rates of radiology residents' interpretations of emergent CT angiography (CTA) studies of the neck and circle of Willis and to assess any adverse clinical outcomes.

Materials And Methods: Five hundred thirty-eight CTA studies (287 circle of Willis and 251 neck) ordered emergently after hours and given preliminary readings by radiology residents from January 1, 2006, through December 31, 2007, were retrospectively reviewed. Discrepancies between the interpretations of radiology residents and the final reports of neuroradiology attending physicians were classified as either false-negatives (failure to recognize abnormalities) or false-positives (misinterpreting normal scans as abnormal).

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Purpose: To determine the discrepancy rates of radiology residents interpreting emergent neuroradiology magnetic resonance (MR) imaging studies and to assess any adverse clinical outcomes.

Materials And Methods: Three hundred sixty-one brain and spine MR imaging and MR angiographic examinations that were ordered emergently after hours and given preliminary interpretations by radiology residents were retrospectively reviewed from December 1, 2006 to May 31, 2007 with institutional review board approval. Discrepancies between the interpretations of radiology residents and the final reports of attending neuroradiologists were classified as either false-negative (FN, failure to recognize abnormalities) or false-positive (FP, misinterpreting normal images as abnormal).

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Background And Objectives: Stellate ganglion block is often carried out using palpation of surface landmarks to guide needle placement. However, anatomic variation of the surface landmarks used is common and block failure has been reported in as many as 30% of patients, even when the surface landmarks that guide needle placement can be easily identified.

Methods: Computed tomography (CT) images of the cervical spine of 70 adult patients were examined to measure the distances in the coronal and sagittal planes between various points on the cricoid cartilage, anterior tubercle, posterior tubercle, and nadir of the vertebral gutter.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF