Efficacy of CT-guided biopsies of the spine in patients with spondylitis--an analysis of 164 procedures.

Objective: To evaluate efficacy of CT-guided spinal biopsy (CTSB) in patients with spondylitis considering patient characteristics, technical issues, antibiotic therapy, histopathological, and microbiological findings.

Materials And Methods: All CTSB procedures performed between 1995 and 2009 in patients with proven spondylitis were re-evaluated. Patient sex and age, antibiotic treatment, biopsy approach, number of specimens, length of needle path, laboratory results (CRP, WBC), and histopathological/microbiological findings were documented and compared to the final diagnosis of spondylitis.

Cumulative effective dose associated with radiography and CT of adolescents with spinal injuries.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to analyze the quantity and distribution of cumulative effective doses in diagnostic imaging of adolescents with spinal injuries.

Material And Methods: At a level 1 trauma center from July 2003 through June 2009, imaging procedures during initial evaluation and hospitalization and after discharge of all patients 10-20 years old with spinal fractures were retrospectively analyzed. The cumulative effective doses for all imaging studies were calculated, and the doses to patients with spinal injuries who had multiple traumatic injuries were compared with the doses to patients with spinal injuries but without multiple injuries.

MRI in lipid-lowering agent-associated myopathy: a retrospective review of 21 cases.

Objective: The objective of our study was to identify disease-specific patterns of myopathic changes in patients with lipid-lowering agent (LLA)-associated myopathy using a dedicated MRI protocol.

Materials And Methods: Axial T1- and T2-weighted STIR images were obtained for the detection of lipomatosis and edema, respectively, of the thighs and legs. Information about patient age, sex, duration of dyslipidemia and of medication use, latency of symptom onset, maximum creatine kinase (CK) level, presence of myalgia and muscle weakness, and LLA or LLAs used was collected.

Computed tomography-navigated transthoracic core biopsy of pulmonary lesions: which factors affect diagnostic yield and complication rates?

Rationale And Objectives: Only a few studies have systematically evaluated risk factors for pneumothorax and pulmonary hemorrhage in computed tomographically (CT)-guided transthoracic lung biopsy (TLB). We evaluated the diagnostic yield of CT-guided TLB and determined risk factors for pneumothorax and hemorrhage.

Methods: One hundred seventy-two CT-guided TLBs were performed on 159 patients (mean age 66 +/- 11 years; 72% male) using a 16-gauge core biopsy needle.

CT angiography in suspected pulmonary embolism: impact of patient characteristics and different venous lines on vessel enhancement and image quality.

Objective: The objective of our study was to compare image quality, patient characteristics, and different catheters in pulmonary CT angiography (CTA) performed with bolus tracking and z-axis automated tube current modulation (ATCM) in patients with suspected pulmonary embolism.

Subjects And Methods: One hundred twenty-six patients were referred to undergo pulmonary CTA with bolus tracking and ATCM. Besides patient characteristics, the type, position, size, and side of venous catheters were documented.

Unilateral hyperplasia of a cervical spinous process as a rare congenital variant of the spine.

Congenital variants of the cervical spine may mimic traumatic lesions and may cause recurrent episodes of pain. We report a 24-year-old female patient with chronic neck pain who had marked unilateral hyperplasia of the spinous process of the seventh cervical vertebra. CT and MRI clearly depicted the abnormality and, furthermore, ruled out posttraumatic spinal changes.

Image quality and radiation exposure at pulmonary CT angiography with 100- or 120-kVp protocol: prospective randomized study.

Purpose: To prospectively compare 16-section multidetector computed tomography (CT) at 100 and 120 kVp for image quality and radiation dose.

Materials And Methods: The study had institutional review board approval; written informed consent was obtained. Sixty patients were referred for evaluation of suspected pulmonary embolism with CT angiography.

Renal perforation and retroperitoneal hematoma: an unusual complication following cardiac catheterization.

Retroperitoneal hematoma (RPH) is a well-recognised, albeit rare complication of percutaneous transfemoral cardiac catheterization. We describe an unusual case of renal perforation and RPH following transfemoral cardiac catheterization for endomyocardial biopsy. Diagnosis was made based on multidetector computed tomography (MDCT) which clearly depicted active renal hemorrhage in short acquisition time.

Tracheobronchial anomalies and stenoses: detection with low-dose multidetector CT with virtual tracheobronchoscopy--comparison with flexible tracheobronchoscopy.

Purpose: To prospectively assess the sensitivity and specificity of low-dose multidetector computed tomography (CT) with virtual tracheobronchoscopy (VT) for evaluation of suspected airway stenoses and/or abnormalities by using flexible tracheobronchoscopy (FT) as the reference standard.

Materials And Methods: The study was approved by the local ethics committee; parental consent was obtained. Forty-five patients with clinically and/or radiographically suspected tracheobronchial stenosis and/or anomaly underwent FT and contrast material-enhanced single-phase multidetector CT with VT.

Detection of a double right coronary artery with 16-row multidetector computed tomography.

We present the case of a 46-year-old male patient with known history of coronary artery disease and recurrent episodes of angina pectoris. Coronary angiography revealed two vessels originating from the right coronary sinus. However, a clear distinction between a double RCA and a high take off of a large right ventricular branch could not be made.