Effect of altering automatic exposure control settings and quality reference mAs on radiation dose, image quality, and diagnostic efficacy in MDCT enterography of active inflammatory Crohn's disease.

Objective: The purpose of our study was to determine whether the MDCT enterography dose can be reduced by changing automatic exposure control (AEC) setting and quality reference milliampere-seconds (mAs) without altering subjective image quality or efficacy in active inflammatory Crohn's disease.

Subjects And Methods: This is a prospective study of 2,310 MDCT enterography procedures performed using 16- and 64-MDCT in three cohorts (original, intermediate, and final dose levels). For 16-MDCT, the original and intermediate dose level quality reference mAs was 200, and weight-based (1 pound [0.

CT arthrography: in vitro evaluation of single and dual energy for optimization of technique.

The purpose of this study was to optimize CT arthrography technique and determine if dual energy CT (DECT) can provide any benefit over single energy CT (SECT). Iodinated contrast attenuation at different concentrations was measured using DECT and SECT at different beam energies (140, 120, and 80 kVp). Dose and noise were measured on phantoms at different tube currents.

Radiation exposure to the surgeon and the patient during kyphoplasty.

Study Design: Prospective study of patients who underwent single or multilevel kyphoplasty for vertebral fractures.

Objective: To quantify the radiation exposure to the surgeon and to the patient during kyphoplasty, and also to provide a procedural algorithm that effectively minimizes the radiation exposure to the surgeon during any fluoroscopic-guided procedure.

Summary Of Background Data: Spine surgeons who perform minimally invasive procedures often employ fluoroscopy for intraoperative navigation.

Selective retention of bone marrow-derived cells to enhance spinal fusion.

Connective tissue progenitors can be concentrated rapidly from fresh bone marrow aspirates using some porous matrices as a surface for cell attachment and selective retention, and for creating a cellular graft that is enriched with respect to the number of progenitor cells. We evaluated the potential value of this method using demineralized cortical bone powder as the matrix. Matrix alone, matrix plus marrow, and matrix enriched with marrow cells were compared in an established canine spinal fusion model.