A Randomized Controlled Trial of Ultrasound Versus Nerve Stimulator Guidance for Axillary Brachial Plexus Block.

Background: Ultrasound-guided techniques improve outcomes in regional anesthesia when compared with traditional techniques; however, this assertion has not been studied with novices. The primary objective of this study was to compare sensory and motor block after axillary brachial plexus block when performed by novice trainees allocated to an ultrasound- or nerve-stimulator-guided group. A secondary objective was to compare the rates of skill acquisition between the 2 groups.

Reference range for intrapatient variability in blood-pool and liver SUV for 18F-FDG PET.

Unlabelled: (18)F-FDG PET qualitative tumor response assessment or tumor-to-background ratios compare targets against blood-pool or liver activity; standardized uptake value (SUV) semiquantitation has artifacts and is validated by a stable normal-tissue baseline. The aim of this study was to document the normal intrapatient range of scan-to-scan variation in blood-pool SUV and liver SUV and to identify factors that may adversely affect it (increase its spread).

Methods: Between July 2009 and June 2010, 132 oncology patients had 2 PET/CT scans.

Cancer on a mammogram is not memorable: readers remember their recalls and not cancers.

Aim: To determine if presence of cancer on a mammogram makes that mammogram more memorable.

Materials And Methods: A total of 100 mammograms (25 cancers) were grouped into 5 sets of 20 cases. Set pairs were presented in five reads to eight radiologist readers.

Comparison of readers' detection of right-sided and left-sided breast cancers and microcalcifications.

Introduction: Aim of this study was to determine if there is a statistically and clinically significant difference in diagnostic performance (cancer diagnosis) and perceptual performance (microcalcification detection) when detecting left-sided or right-sided breast cancers and microcalcifications.

Methods: Eight radiologist readers (8-20 years experience in radiology, five current BreastScreen readers) read a set of 100 digital mammograms (23/100 had proven malignancies and 52/100 had confirmed microcalcifications) for three reads (random case order in each read). The same mammograms were presented on two reads, serving as the baseline reads.

Intrareader variability in mammographic diagnostic and perceptual performance amongst experienced radiologists in Australia.

Introduction: The purpose of this study was, for a group of experienced radiologists, to identify the magnitude of and statistical significance of intrareader variability in mammographic diagnostic performance or cancer diagnosis and mammographic perceptual performance or microcalcification detection.

Methods: Eight radiologist readers (8-30 years experience in radiology, five current BreastScreen readers) read a set of 100 digital mammograms on two separate reads with random case orders. Twenty-three of the 100 had proven malignancies, and 52 of the 100 had confirmed microcalcifications.

Comparison of 3MP medical-grade to 1MP office-grade LCD monitors in mammographic diagnostic and perceptual performance.

Introduction: Picture archiving and communication systems images designed to be viewed on high-resolution medical-grade monitors are routinely viewed on office-grade monitors on the wards or at home. This study aimed to determine whether a statistically significant difference in diagnostic (cancer detection) and perceptual (microcalcification detection) performance exists between 3MP grade and 1MP office-grade monitors.

Methods: 3MP Dome medical-grade liquid crystal display (LCD) monitors (Planar, Beaverton, OR, USA) were compared to 1MP Dell office-grade LCD monitors (Dell Inc, Round Rock, TX, USA).

Preliminary results of the Australasian Regional Anaesthesia Collaboration: a prospective audit of more than 7000 peripheral nerve and plexus blocks for neurologic and other complications.

Background And Objectives: Peripheral nerve blockade is associated with excellent patient outcomes after surgery; however, neurologic and other complications can be devastating for the patient. This article reports the development and preliminary results of a multicenter audit describing the quality and safety of peripheral nerve blockade.

Methods: From January 2006 to May 2008, patients who received peripheral nerve blockade had data relating to efficacy and complications entered into databases.

Ultrasound-guided midthigh sciatic nerve block-a clinical and anatomical study.

Background And Objectives: Ultrasound-guided sciatic nerve block is a relatively new regional anesthesia technique with few descriptions in the literature. The objective of this study was to assess the ease with which the sciatic nerve could be imaged in the midthigh region using ultrasound and to describe the anatomy surrounding the sciatic nerve at this location.

Methods: In this prospective observational study, 40 patients scheduled for surgery where sciatic nerve block was indicated were scanned between the gluteal and the popliteal regions using an ultrasound machine (Vivid-i, GE Healthcare, Chalfont St.