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A Coulthard

Publications and source records attributed to A Coulthard.

47 records · Page 3Linked to original sources

How reliable are ultrasound measurements of renal length in adults?

Ultrasound assessment of patients with renal impairment commonly includes measurement of bipolar renal length. Reduction in length is considered to indicate chronic renal disease and is a factor in deciding whether to proceed to renal biopsy. To date, no published data are available on interobserver and intraobserver variation in sonographic renal length measurement in adults. Bilateral renal lengths were measured in 20 adult subjects, with no history of renal disease, by three experienced operators, on two separate occasions. Limits of agreement for replicate measurements by each ultrasonographer and for replicate measurements by each pair of ultrasonographers were determined. Values of repeatability (a measure of intraobserver variation) and reproducibility (a measure of interobserver variation) were calculated for all renal length measurements, and for right and left renal lengths separately. Results indicate that replicate renal length measurements differ by less than 1.85 cm in 95% of cases, and the magnitude of variations is similar when measurements are made by either single or different ultrasonographers, and are similar for right and left renal length measurements. This suggests that sonographic bipolar renal length measurements in normal adult kidneys are reasonably reliable. In diseased kidneys, however, in which identification of renal poles is difficult, interobserver and intraobserver variation may be much greater.

Adult↗

Intravenous contrast media reactions: how do radiologists react?

Following the publication of the Royal College of Radiologists guidelines for the management of reactions to intravenous contrast media we assessed radiologists' understanding of intravenous contrast media reactions and their management of specific adverse reactions. A confidential questionnaire was sent to all radiologists in the Northern Region. Responses were received from 61/101 (60%). Knowledge of minor contrast media reactions was generally good but the understanding of treatment of severe reactions was poor. Knowledge of optimal management was inversely related to radiological seniority. This study suggests a poor understanding of severe contrast media reaction management amongst radiologists. Simplified treatment guidelines based on the Royal College document and aimed at severe reactions are suggested.

Anaphylaxis↗

Insulin injection site tissue depths and localization of a simulated insulin bolus using a novel air contrast ultrasonographic technique in insulin treated diabetic subjects.

Subcutaneous adipose tissue depth was measured in 50 randomly selected Type 1 diabetic patients by real-time ultrasound at five standard sites commonly used for injection. Tissue depths were often less than the length of the standard insulin syringe needle (12-13 mm) at the arm and thigh injection sites, especially in men. Thus, if the currently recommended perpendicular injection technique were to be employed, there would, in theory, be an appreciable risk of intramuscular insulin deposition. In order to determine the true site of deposition in those at risk (injection site tissue depth of < 12 mm), a novel air-contrast ultrasound imaging technique was developed. A mixture of 0.1 ml of air and 0.2 ml of sterile 0.9% saline was self-injected into an anterior thigh site by 30 subjects using their usual technique. The site of the resultant tissue depot was located by ultrasound. Sixty-three percent of the depots were localized to true subcutaneous tissue and the remaining 37% to between the fascial planes overlying muscle. None of the subjects proved to be injecting into muscle. These results contrast with predictions of the risk of intramuscular injection made from the ultrasound measurement of subcutaneous tissue alone at the anterior and lateral thigh sites of, respectively, 100 and 97% for men and 42 and 37% for women. Although 11 of the 30 subjects claimed to be using a full-depth perpendicular injection technique, on direct observation only four proved to be injecting perpendicularly and none of these to the full depth of the needle.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adipose Tissue↗