Distinguishing acute from chronic aortic dissections using CT imaging features.

The aim was to compare computed tomography (CT) features in acute and chronic aortic dissections (AADs and CADs) and determine if a certain combination of imaging features was reliably predictive of the acute versus chronic nature of disease in individual patients. Consecutive patients with aortic dissection and a chest CT scan were identified, and 120 CT scans corresponding to 105 patients were reviewed for a variety of imaging features. Statistical tests assessed for differences in the frequency of these features.

Recurrence of Colonic Diverticulitis: Identifying Predictive CT Findings-Retrospective Cohort Study.

Purpose To identify computed tomographic (CT) findings that are predictive of recurrence of colonic diverticulitis. Materials and Methods Institutional review board approval was obtained for this HIPAA-compliant, retrospective cohort study. Six abdominal fellowship-trained radiologists reviewed the CT studies of 440 consecutive subjects diagnosed with acute colonic diverticulitis between January 2004 and May 2008 to determine the involved segments, maximum wall thickness in the inflamed segment, severity of diverticulosis, presence of complications (abscess, fistula, stricture, or perforation), and severity of the inflammation.

Reassessing the Anatomic Origin of the Juvenile Nasopharyngeal Angiofibroma.

Objective: A modern imaging review is necessary to further define the anatomic origin of the juvenile nasopharyngeal angiofibroma.

Methods: After institutional review board approval, a search from January 1998 to January 2013 yielded 33 male patients (aged 10-23 years) with pathologically proven juvenile nasopharyngeal angiofibroma lesions, as well as pretreatment computed tomography/magnetic resonance imaging. Juvenile nasopharyngeal angiofibroma involvement was assessed in the following regions: sphenopalatine foramen, pterygopalatine fossa, vidian canal, nasopharynx, nasal cavity, sphenoid sinus, choana, pterygomaxillary fissure/masticator space, orbit, and sphenoid bone.

Pelvic artery aneurysm screening provides value in patients with thoracic aortic aneurysms.

Approximately ¼ of patients with thoracic aortic aneurysms (TAAs) have concomitant abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAAs), thereby justifying the addition of an abdominal CT scan to a chest CT scan in patients with a newly diagnosed or suspected TAA. However, the prevalence of pelvic artery aneurysms (PAAs) in these patients is unknown. The purpose of this study was to determine the prevalence of PAAs in patients with TAAs and to assess what patient specific factors were associated with PAAs, thereby providing insight into the usefulness of pelvic imaging in TAA patients.

Safety and Tolerability of Intravenous Valproic Acid in Healthy Subjects: A Phase I Dose-Escalation Trial.

Background: Valproic acid, a histone deacetylase inhibitor, has beneficial effects in the setting of cancer, neurologic diseases, and traumatic injuries. In animal models of traumatic injury, a single dose of valproic acid has been shown to reduce mortality. The purpose of this trial was to determine the maximum tolerated single dose of intravenous valproic acid in healthy humans.

A naturalistic, multi-site study of repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation therapy for depression.

Background: Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) was approved in 2008 in the United States, and there are relatively few studies describing its use in regular clinical practice since approval.

Methods: From April 2011 to October 2014, ten sites within the National Network of Depression Centers (NNDC) provided data on 62 evaluable patients with a depressive episode. Treatment was determined naturalistically.

Proximal thoracic aortic diameters: transesophageal-echocardiography- versus computed-tomography-derived measurements.

Purpose: The purpose of the study was to compare proximal aortic measurements from electrocardiogram-gated computed tomography (CT) to transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) and to evaluate differences in cusp-cusp and cusp-commissure CT measurements of sinus of Valsalva (SOV).

Methods: This retrospective study (n=25) compared aortic diameters from CT using manual double-oblique multiplanar reformats (MPRs) and semiautomatic centerline method to TEE.

Results: CT MPR and centerline measurements were higher than TEE for sinotubular junction and ascending aorta.

Evaluation for abdominal aortic aneurysms is justified in patients with thoracic aortic aneurysms.

Aortic aneurysms are a significant cause of mortality, and the presence of multiple aneurysms may affect treatment plans. The purpose of this study was to determine the frequency of abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAAs) in patients with thoracic aortic aneurysms (TAAs) and to establish whether patient specific factors, such as gender and comorbidities, influenced the frequency of AAAs, thereby indicating if and when abdominal aortic evaluation is justified. Electronic medical records were reviewed from 1000 patients with a computed tomography (CT) angiogram of the chest and abdomen and a clinical diagnosis of TAA from Cardiac Surgery clinic between 2008 and 2013.

Benefits of a resident-run orientation for new radiology trainees.

Incoming radiology residents must rapidly assimilate large amounts of technical, medical, and operational information. This can be overwhelming and contribute to anxiety. Typical introductory curricula focused on radiologic content may not address the concerns of new residents.

Increased epicardial fat is independently associated with the presence and chronicity of atrial fibrillation and radiofrequency ablation outcome.

Objective: To determine whether intrathoracic fat volumes are associated with presence and chronicity of atrial fibrillation (AF) and radiofrequency ablation (RFA) treatment outcome.

Methods: IRB approval was obtained and patient consent was waived for this HIPAA-compliant retrospective study. 169 patients with AF (75 non-paroxysmal and 94 paroxysmal) and 62 control patients underwent cardiac CT examination.

Thoracic central venous evaluation: comparison of first-pass direct versus delayed-phase indirect multidetector CT venography.

Purpose: The purpose was to compare first-pass and delayed-phase thoracic computed tomography (CT) venography for the evaluation of suspected central thoracic venous pathology.

Material And Methods: CT images and medical records of all patients who underwent thoracic CT venography over a 5-year period were retrospectively reviewed. Both first-pass (18s) and delayed-phase (60s) venous images were obtained in all patients.

Superficial ultrasound shear wave speed measurements in soft and hard elasticity phantoms: repeatability and reproducibility using two ultrasound systems.

Background: There is a paucity of data available regarding the repeatability and reproducibility of superficial shear wave speed (SWS) measurements at imaging depths relevant to the pediatric population.

Objective: To assess the repeatability and reproducibility of superficial shear wave speed measurements acquired from elasticity phantoms at varying imaging depths using three imaging methods, two US systems and multiple operators.

Materials And Methods: Soft and hard elasticity phantoms manufactured by Computerized Imaging Reference Systems Inc.

Digital breast tomosynthesis: studies of the effects of acquisition geometry on contrast-to-noise ratio and observer preference of low-contrast objects in breast phantom images.

The effect of acquisition geometry in digital breast tomosynthesis was evaluated with studies of contrast-to-noise ratios (CNRs) and observer preference. Contrast-detail (CD) test objects in 5 cm thick phantoms with breast-like backgrounds were imaged. Twelve different angular acquisitions (average glandular dose for each ~1.

Outcomes of solid palpable masses assessed as BI-RADS 3 or 4A: a retrospective review.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the outcomes and cancer rate in solid palpable masses with benign features assessed as BI-RADS 3 or 4A. This study was Institutional Review Board approved. Mammography and breast ultrasound reports in our Radiology Information System were searched for solid, palpable masses with benign features described from 1/1/2000 to 12/31/2009, and retrospectively reviewed.

Renal remodeling after abdominal radiation therapy: parenchymal and functional changes.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to quantify changes in renal length, volume, and function over time after upper abdominal radiation therapy.

Materials And Methods: Imaging and clinical data were retrospectively reviewed for 27 adults with abdominal radiation therapy between 2001 and 2012. All had two kidneys, radiation exposure to one kidney, and survival of at least 1 year after therapy.

Adaptive statistical iterative reconstruction: reducing dose while preserving image quality in the pediatric head CT examination.

Background: Over the last decade there has been escalating concern regarding the increasing radiation exposure stemming from CT exams, particularly in children. Adaptive statistical iterative reconstruction (ASIR) is a relatively new and promising tool to reduce radiation dose while preserving image quality. While encouraging results have been found in adult head and chest and body imaging, validation of this technique in pediatric population is limited.

Proximal thoracic aortic diameter measurements at CT: repeatability and reproducibility according to measurement method.

To determine the variability in CT measurements of proximal thoracic aortic diameters obtained using double-oblique short axis and semiautomatic centerline analysis techniques. Institutional review board approval, with waiver of informed consent, was obtained for this HIPAA-compliant, retrospective study. Cardiac gated thoracic aortic CT scans were evaluated in 25 patients.

Perfusion-weighted MR imaging in cerebral lupus erythematosus.

Rationale And Objective: Neuropsychiatric systemic lupus erythematosus (NPSLE) is a diagnostically challenging, severe, and life-threatening condition, which is currently lacking a "gold standard." Our aim with this study is to look for magnetic resonance (MR) perfusion differences in NPSLE, SLE, and healthy control (HC) patients and correlate our findings with clinical parameters.

Materials And Methods: Twenty-four NPSLE patients, 21 SLE patients, and 21 HC underwent dynamic susceptibility contrast enhanced MR perfusion using a 3-T scanner.

Utility of pretreatment mean apparent diffusion coefficient and apparent diffusion coefficient histograms in prediction of outcome to chemoradiation in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma.

Purpose: This study aimed to evaluate pretreatment whole-tumor mean apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) and ADC histogram as predictors of outcome to chemoradiation in patients with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC).

Materials And Methods: Patients with HNSCC underwent pretreatment 3-T diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging with calculation of mean ADC and ADC histograms. Outcomes were determined 2 years after chemoradiation.

Incidental findings at chest CT: a needs assessment survey of radiologists' knowledge.

Rationale And Objectives: To assess practice patterns in evaluating incidental findings at chest computed tomography (CT) to determine the need for further education.

Materials And Methods: A survey was given to 1600 radiologists, presenting four clinical case questions regarding the evaluation/significance of the following incidental findings at chest CT: thyroid lesion; enlarged mediastinal lymph nodes; asymptomatic, small pulmonary embolus; and small lung nodule. The respondents' answers were compared with "truth," as defined by the best evidence available in the medical literature.

Lack of association between decompressive craniectomy and conversion to donor status.

There has been a recent resurgence in the use of decompressive craniectomy (DC) following severe brain injury. The aim of this study was to evaluate any association between DC and solid organ donation. We performed a retrospective, single-center, cohort study involving referrals to the local organ procurement organization, excluding those with anoxic brain injury.

The initial examination of the efficacy of low-dose promethazine for the treatment of nausea and vomiting in the hospitalized elderly.

The purpose of this study was to assess efficacy and safety of 3 doses (6.25 mg, 12.5 mg, 25 mg) of intravenous (IV) promethazine in treatment of established nausea and vomiting (N/V) in hospitalized elderly patients.

Education and prevention for teens: using Trauma Nurses Talk Tough presentation with pretest and posttest evaluation of knowledge and behavior changes.

Injury prevention is an essential part of any trauma program. Trauma Nurses Talk Tough (TNTT) is an injury prevention program utilized at many trauma centers targeting school-aged children from kindergarten through 12th grade. We hypothesized that TNTT would increase knowledge of safety strategies and change behavior with a prospective, correlational study using TNTT for 6th- to 8th-grade (n = 372) and 9th- to 12th-grade (n = 158) students, respectively.

Examining the feasibility of implementing specific nursing interventions to promote sleep in hospitalized elderly patients.

Sleep deprivation and subsequent effects on health restoration have been documented in the literature. The purpose of this experimental pilot study was to examine the feasibility of implementing specific nursing interventions to promote sleep in hospitalized older adults. The experimental group received a sleep protocol intervention while the control group received usual nighttime care.