Safe and Informed Use of Gadolinium-Based Contrast Agent in Body Magnetic Resonance Imaging: Where We Were and Where We Are.

Gadolinium-based contrast agents (GBCAs) have helped to improve the role of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) for the diagnosis and treatment of diseases. There are currently nine different commercially available gadolinium-based contrast agents (GBCAs) that can be used for body MRI cases, and which are classifiable according to their structures (cyclic or linear) or biodistribution (extracellular-space agents, target/specific-agents, and blood-pool agents). The aim of this review is to illustrate the commercially available MRI contrast agents, their effect on imaging, and adverse reaction on the body, with the goal to lead to their proper selection in different clinical contexts.

Value of multidetector computed tomography angiography in severe non-variceal upper gastrointestinal bleeding: a retrospective study in a referral bleeding unit.

Background: Non-variceal upper gastrointestinal bleeding is a common gastroenterological emergency associated with significant morbidity and mortality. Upper gastrointestinal endoscopy is currently recommended as the gold standard modality for both diagnosis and treatment. As historically played a limited role in the diagnosis of acute non-variceal upper gastrointestinal bleeding, multidetector-row computed tomography angiography is emerging as a promising tool in the diagnosis of non-variceal upper gastrointestinal bleeding, especially for severe cases.

Hepatobiliary-specific magnetic resonance contrast agents: role in biliary trauma.

Non-iatrogenic traumatic bile duct injuries (NI-TBIs) are a rare complication after abdominal trauma, with an estimated prevalence of 2.8-7.4% in patients underwent blunt liver injuries.

Point-of-Care Lung Ultrasound in the Intensive Care Unit-The Dark Side of Radiology: Where Do We Stand?

Patients in intensive care units (ICUs) are critically ill and require constant monitoring of clinical conditions. Due to the severity of the underlying disease and the need to monitor devices, imaging plays a crucial role in critically ill patients' care. Given the clinical complexity of these patients, who typically need respiratory assistance as well as continuous monitoring of vital functions and equipment, computed tomography (CT) can be regarded as the diagnostic gold standard, although it is not a bedside diagnostic technique.

MRI-Cavernosography: A New Diagnostic Tool for Erectile Dysfunction Due to Venous Leakage: A Diagnostic Chance.

Erectile dysfunction caused by venous leakage is a vascular disease in which blood fails to accumulate in the corpora cavernosa due to the abrupt drainage of blood from the penis secondary to an abnormal venous network that affects 1 to 2% of men under 25 years old and about 10 to 20% over 60 years old, who do not raise a sufficient erection for penetrative sex. The study of the venous leak and its characterization in young patients with erectile dysfunction represent a diagnostic challenge, and imaging remains the best way to diagnose this condition. In the article, it is described the methods of execution and the diagnostic role of the cavernous MRI in the study of vasogenic erectile dysfunction from the venous leak, proposing it as a good alternative to the cavernous CT, considering the satisfactory results in terms of diagnostic interpretation, the absence of ionizing radiation, the higher soft tissue resolution of the imaging method and the lower administration of contrast agent.

The Role of CT-Angiography in the Acute Gastrointestinal Bleeding: A Pictorial Essay of Active and Obscure Findings.

Gastrointestinal bleeding is a potentially life-threatening abdominal emergency that remains a common cause of hospitalisation. Although 80-85% of cases of gastrointestinal bleeding resolve spontaneously, it can result in massive haemorrhage and death. The presentation of gastrointestinal bleeding can range from asymptomatic or mildly ill patients requiring only conservative treatments to severely ill patients requiring immediate intervention.

Stocky/Packed Pancreas: A Case of Focal Drug-Induced Acute Pancreatitis Mimicking Cancer.

Drug-induced acute pancreatitis (DIP) is a recognised but underreported entity in the literature. Immunotherapy drugs have been described as one possible emerging cause, although the pathogenic mechanism is still largely unclear. To date, only a few cases have been reported, even if in recent times there is an over-increasing awareness of this pathologic entity.

The Technique and Advantages of Contrast-Enhanced Ultrasound in the Diagnosis and Follow-Up of Traumatic Abdomen Solid Organ Injuries.

Trauma is one of the most common causes of death or permanent disability in young people, so a timely diagnostic approach is crucial. In polytrauma patients, CEUS (contrast enhanced ultrasound) has been shown to be more sensitive than US (ultrasound) for the detection of solid organ injuries, improving the identification and grading of traumatic abdominal lesions with levels of sensitivity and specificity similar to those seen with MDCT (multidetector tomography). CEUS is recommended for the diagnostic evaluation of hemodynamically stable patients with isolated blunt moderate-energy abdominal traumas and the diagnostic follow-up of conservatively managed abdominal traumas.

Computed tomography imaging of septic shock. Beyond the cause: the "CT hypoperfusion complex". A pictorial essay.

Septic shock is a medical emergency that represents one of the most important underlying causes for presentation to the Emergency Department. Sepsis is defined as organ dysfunction, life-threatening event caused by a deregulated inflammatory host response to infection, with a mortality risk ranging from 10 to 40%. Early sepsis identification is the cornerstone of management and diagnostic imaging can play a pivotal role in this clinical context.