[Diagnosis and emergency management of radiological incidents].

Incidents involving ionizing radiation pose a risk of immediate and long-term clinical consequences for both victims and responders in the event of secondary contamination. Rapid identification of the problem and a coordinated response are crucial. This article summarizes the key challenges related to the emergency management of a single patient or multiple victims, addressing the importance of recognizing such a case, radioprotection measures, decontamination, and available treatments.

Dual-Energy CT in Acute Stroke: Could Non-Contrast CT Be Replaced by Virtual Non-Contrast CT? A Feasibility Study.

We aimed to evaluate whether virtual non-contrast cerebral computed tomography (VNCCT) reconstructed from intravenous contrast-enhanced dual-energy CT (iv-DECT) could replace non-contrast CT (NCCT) in patients with suspected acute cerebral ischemia. This retrospective study included all consecutive patients in whom NCCT followed by iv-DECT were performed for suspected acute ischemia in our emergency department over a 1-month period. The Alberta Stroke Program Early CT Score (ASPECTS) was used to determine signs of acute ischemia in the anterior and posterior circulation, the presence of hemorrhage, and alternative findings, which were randomly evaluated via the consensus reading of NCCT and VNCCT by two readers blinded to the final diagnosis.

Temporal Bone Fractures and Related Complications in Pediatric and Adult Cranio-Facial Trauma: A Comparison of MDCT Findings in the Acute Emergency Setting.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to analyze the prevalence of and complications resulting from temporal bone fractures in adult and pediatric patients evaluated for cranio-facial trauma in an emergency setting.

Methods: A retrospective blinded analysis of CT scans of a series of 294 consecutive adult and pediatric patients with cranio-facial trauma investigated in the emergency setting was conducted. Findings were compared between the two populations.

Validating the accuracy of deep learning for the diagnosis of pneumonia on chest x-ray against a robust multimodal reference diagnosis: a post hoc analysis of two prospective studies.

Background: Artificial intelligence (AI) seems promising in diagnosing pneumonia on chest x-rays (CXR), but deep learning (DL) algorithms have primarily been compared with radiologists, whose diagnosis can be not completely accurate. Therefore, we evaluated the accuracy of DL in diagnosing pneumonia on CXR using a more robust reference diagnosis.

Methods: We trained a DL convolutional neural network model to diagnose pneumonia and evaluated its accuracy in two prospective pneumonia cohorts including 430 patients, for whom the reference diagnosis was determined a posteriori by a multidisciplinary expert panel using multimodal data.

Artificial intelligence-based opportunistic detection of coronary artery stenosis on aortic computed tomography angiography in emergency department patients with acute chest pain.

Aims: To evaluate a deep-learning model (DLM) for detecting coronary stenoses in emergency room patients with acute chest pain (ACP) explored with electrocardiogram-gated aortic computed tomography angiography (CTA) to rule out aortic dissection.

Methods And Results: This retrospective study included 217 emergency room patients (41% female, mean age 67.2 years) presenting with ACP and evaluated by aortic CTA at our institution.

A new clinical severity score for the management of acute small bowel obstruction in predicting bowel ischemia: a cohort study.

Background: Small bowel obstruction (SBO) is a common hospital admission diagnosis. Identification of patients who will require a surgical resection because of a nonviable small bowel remains a challenge. Through a prospective cohort study, the authors aimed to validate risk factors and scores for intestinal resection, and to develop a practical clinical score designed to guide surgical versus conservative management.

Early MRI termination with major impact on the radiological interpretation: The experience of a large university hospital.

Purpose: To report the incidence of early magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) terminations and analyse their risk factors in a large university hospital.

Method: All consecutive patients aged > 16 years who underwent an MRI over a 14-month period were included. The following parameters were collected: demographics, in- or outpatient, history of claustrophobia, anatomical region investigated, and early MRI termination along with its cause.

Detection of distant metastases and distant second primary cancers in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma: comparison of [F]FDG PET/MRI and [F]FDG PET/CT.

Purpose: This prospective study aimed to compare the diagnostic performance of []FDG PET/MRI and PET/CT for the detection of distant metastases and distant second primary cancers in patients with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC).

Methods: A total of 103 [F]FDG PET/MRI examinations immediately followed by PET/CT were obtained in 82 consecutive patients for staging of primary HNSCC (n = 38), suspected loco-regional recurrence/follow-up (n = 41) or unknown primary HNSCC (n = 3). Histology and follow-up > 2 years formed the standard of reference.

Acute Pulmonary Embolism in COVID-19: A Potential Connection between Venous Congestion and Thrombus Distribution.

Background: Vascular abnormalities, including venous congestion (VC) and pulmonary embolism (PE), have been recognized as frequent COVID-19 imaging patterns and proposed as severity markers. However, the underlying pathophysiological mechanisms remain unclear. In this study, we aimed to characterize the relationship between VC, PE distribution, and alveolar opacities (AO).

Magnetic Resonance Imaging or Computed Tomography for Suspected Acute Stroke: Association of Admission Image Modality with Acute Recanalization Therapies, Workflow Metrics, and Outcomes.

Objective: To examine rates of intravenous thrombolysis (IVT), mechanical thrombectomy (MT), door-to-needle (DTN) time, door-to-puncture (DTP) time, and functional outcome between patients with admission magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) versus computed tomography (CT).

Methods: An observational cohort study of consecutive patients using a target trial design within the nationwide Swiss-Stroke-Registry from January 2014 to August 2020 was carried out. Exclusion criteria included MRI contraindications, transferred patients, and unstable or frail patients.

LOw-dose CT Or Lung UltraSonography versus standard of care based-strategies for the diagnosis of pneumonia in the elderly: protocol for a multicentre randomised controlled trial (OCTOPLUS).

Introduction: Pneumonia is a leading cause of mortality and a common indication for antibiotic in elderly patients. However, its diagnosis is often inaccurate. We aim to compare the diagnostic accuracy, the clinical and cost outcomes and the use of antibiotics associated with three imaging strategies in patients >65 years old with suspected pneumonia in the emergency room (ER): chest X-ray (CXR, standard of care), low-dose CT scan (LDCT) or lung ultrasonography (LUS).

MicroCT Can Characterize Clots Retrieved With Mechanical Thrombectomy From Acute Ischemic Stroke Patients-A Preliminary Report.

Background: Characterization of the clot occluding the arteries in acute ischemic stroke received ample attention, in terms of elucidating the relationship between the clot composition, its etiology and its amenability for pharmacological treatment and mechanical thrombectomy approaches. Traditional analytical techniques such as conventional 2D histopathology or electron microscopy sample only small parts of the clot. Visualization and analysis in 3D are necessary to depict and comprehend the overall organization of the clot.

Emergency Computed Tomography: How Misinterpretations Vary According to the Periods of the Nightshift?

Objective: To evaluate the accuracy of initial computed tomography (CT) interpretations made by radiology residents during nightshifts in the emergency department.

Methods: Preliminary CT reports performed by radiology residents during 120 consecutive nightshifts (08:30 pm to 08:30 am) were reviewed, attendings' final interpretation being the reference standard. Nightshifts were divided into four consecutive periods of 3 hours.

Development and Validation of a Predictive Model for Internal Hernia After Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass in a Multicentric Retrospective Cohort: The Swirl, Weight Excess Loss, Liquid Score.

Objective: The aim of this study was to develop and validate a prediction score for internal hernia (IH) after Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB).

Summary Background Data: The clinical diagnosis of IH is challenging. A sensitivity of 63% to 92% was reported for computed tomography (CT).

A lung graph model for the radiological assessment of chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension in CT.

Chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension (CTEPH) is a possible complication of pulmonary embolism (PE), with poor prognosis if left untreated. Surgical curative treatment is available, particularly in the early stages of the disease. However, most cases are not diagnosed until specific symptoms become evident.

Clot-Based Radiomics Predict a Mechanical Thrombectomy Strategy for Successful Recanalization in Acute Ischemic Stroke.

Background And Purpose: Mechanical thrombectomy (MTB) is a reference treatment for acute ischemic stroke, with several endovascular strategies currently available. However, no quantitative methods are available for the selection of the best endovascular strategy or to predict the difficulty of clot removal. We aimed to investigate the predictive value of an endovascular strategy based on radiomic features extracted from the clot on preinterventional, noncontrast computed tomography to identify patients with first-attempt recanalization with thromboaspiration and to predict the overall number of passages needed with an MTB device for successful recanalization.

Radiation Dose to the Fetus From Computed Tomography of Pregnant Patients-Development and Validation of a Web-Based Tool.

Objective: Estimations of radiation dose absorbed by the fetus from computed tomography (CT) in pregnant patients is mandatory, but currently available methods are not feasible in clinical routine. The aims of this study were to develop and validate a tool for assessment of fetal dose from CT of pregnant patients and to develop a user-friendly web interface for fast fetal dose calculations.

Methods: In the first study part, 750 Monte Carlo (MC) simulations were performed on phantoms representing pregnant patients at various gestational stages.

Case Report: Don't chew the fufu: a case report of suspected drug body stuffing.

Intrabody concealment of illicit substances is a common practice in the trafficking chain. Body packing is a technique used in drug trafficking that consists of deliberately ingesting many drug pellets. Body stuffing consists of precipitously swallowing packets of substances, which are smaller and more fragile than body-packing pellets, for concealment from law-enforcement officers in anticipation of impending search or arrest.

Concomitant leukocytosis and lymphopenia predict significant pathology at CT of acute abdomen: a case-control study.

Background: Acute abdominal pain accounts for about 10% of emergency department visits and has progressively become the primary indication for CT scanning in most centers. The goal of our study is to identify biological or clinical variables able to predict or rule out significant pathology (conditions requiring urgent medical or surgical treatment) on abdominal CT in patients presenting to an emergency department with acute abdominal pain.

Methods: This was a retrospective cohort study performed in the emergency department of an academic center with an annual census of 60'000 patients.

Femoral head subchondral impaction on CT: what does it mean in patients with acetabular fracture?

Objective: To evaluate the prevalence of isolated femoral head impactions associated with acetabular fractures and to assess whether impactions may be predictive of the development of delayed major complications requiring total hip arthroplasty.

Materials And Methods: A total of 128 consecutive adult patients with acetabular fracture and no femoral head fracture were included. Admission CTs were re-interpreted for the presence of hip dislocation and femoral head impactions.

Suspicion of appendicitis in pregnant women: emergency evaluation by sonography and low-dose CT with oral contrast.

Objectives: To evaluate non-intravenously enhanced low-dose computed tomography with oral contrast (LDCT) for the assessment of pregnant women with right lower quadrant pain, when magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is not immediately available.

Methods: One hundred and thirty-eight consecutive pregnant women with acute abdominal pain were admitted in our emergency centre. Thirty-seven (27%) of them, with clinical suspicion of acute appendicitis, underwent abdominal ultrasonography (US).

Detecting illegal intra-corporeal cocaine containers: Which factors influence their density?

Purpose: To determine parameters related to hyperdensity (>40 HU) of intra-corporeal cocaine packets on low-dose CT (LDCT); hyperdensity increases detectability on abdominal radiographs.

Methods: LDCT showing drug packets (n = 46) were analyzed for mean radiological density and packets volume. Following expulsion, packets weight and cocaine concentration were measured.

Injectable facial fillers: imaging features, complications, and diagnostic pitfalls at MRI and PET CT.

Unlabelled: Injectable fillers are widely used for facial rejuvenation, correction of disabling volumetric fat loss in HIV-associated facial lipoatrophy, Romberg disease, and post-traumatic facial disfiguring. The purpose of this article is to acquaint the reader with the anatomy of facial fat compartments, as well as with the properties and key imaging features of commonly used facial fillers, filler-related complications, interpretation pitfalls, and dermatologic conditions mimicking filler-related complications. The distribution of facial fillers is characteristic and depends on the anatomy of the superficial fat compartments.