Comparison of observer performance reading from a video CRT vs. reading from film.

The developing trend for all medical images to be in digital form raises an important question: should diagnostic interpretations be made directly from a CRT or from some form of hard copy recording of the CRT? This question was studied by having two observers read a series of digital images of the thyroid including both conventional scintigrams and computer-generated tomograms. The CRT images were photographed in a carefully controlled fashion. Images were read once from film and a second time directly from the CRT.

Tomographic thyroid scintigraphy: comparison with standard pinhole imaging: concise communication.

Coded-aperture imaging (CAI) and multiple-view pinhole imaging (PI) of the thyroid were compared in a prospective study in 136 consecutive patients. Following 10 mCi of pertechnetate, 200K-count pinhole images were obtained in the anterior, RAO, and LAO projections, and CAI data were obtained in the anterior position. Four coronal tomographic sections were reconstructed by computer.

Efficacy of hepatobiliary imaging of acute abdominal pain: concise communication.

To assess prospectively the usefullness of hepatobiliary imaging in acute abdominal pain (72 hr or less), 36 patients were scintigraphed after intravenous injection of 5 mCi of Tc-99m p-isopropyl-iminodiacetic acid (PIPIDA). Before the procedure, the referring physician completed Part I of a questionnaire indicating his differential diagnosis, diagnostic confidence (expressed as a percentage), and therapeutic plan. Immediately after the test, the same physician, with knowledge of the results, completed Part II of the questionnaire indicating again his differential diagnosis, diagnostic confidence, and therapeutic plan.

Diagnosis of ruptured bladder during a 99mTc-DTPA renal study: new indications for radionuclide cystography?

Radionuclide cystography, which is currently used to evaluate vesicoureteral reflux, has also been used to detect perirenal and perivesical urine leakage. We report a case of intraperitoneal bladder rupture and describe potential indications and advantages of cystography for detection and evaluation.