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Biomedical subjects

L R Goodman

Publications and source records attributed to L R Goodman.

At least 73 records · Page 4Linked to original sources

Digital and conventional chest images: observer performance with Film Digital Radiography System.

The Film Digital Radiography System (FilmDRS) is a device with a laser optical film digitizer, 2,000 X 2,000 X 12-bit memory, and a 1,000-line video display. To evaluate the adequacy of this device for general radiography of the chest, four readers independently analyzed both radiographs and the corresponding video display of the digitized chest images of 150 patients, consisting of 100 images of abnormalities and 50 normal images. The overall results indicate equal sensitivity for the two systems. The FilmDRS, with interactive windowing, proved superior in the detection of hilar and mediastinal disease. X-ray film was superior in allowing detection of hyperlucent states. There was equivalent sensitivity for other disease categories. Superior specificity was achieved with conventional radiographs.

Analog-Digital Conversion↗

Air in the minor fissure: a sign of right-sided pneumothorax.

Pneumothorax in the critically ill patient may be difficult to detect when the air does not rise to the apex of the thorax. Several radiographic signs have been previously described to help recognize this condition. Air in the minor fissure, a previously unreported radiographic finding, is an additional sign of right-sided pneumothorax.

Humans↗

Impending cardiac herniation: the snow cone sign.

Two cases of cardiac herniation and volvulus that occurred after right pneumonectomy are presented. Both asymptomatic patients demonstrated an unusual bulging contour to the right side of the heart on radiographs obtained in the recovery room, before complete herniation and volvulus occurred. In an autopsy preparation, a similar right contour was produced after partial cardiac herniation through a pericardial defect. The hemispheric contour from partial cardiac herniation resembles the shape of a snow cone. Clinical awareness of this sign of impending herniation is important, so risk factors known to produce herniation may be modified.

Adult↗

A new early life-stage toxicity test using the California grunion (Leuresthes tenuis) and results with chlorpyrifos.

California grunion were continuously exposed as embryos and fry to technical chlorpyrifos in two toxicity tests conducted in the same exposure apparatus. The first test, a 35-day early life-stage (ELS) test, began with approximately 2.5-day-old embryos that were exposed in flow-through aquaria in darkness until hatching was stimulated on Day 9 of exposure. The second toxicity test, a fry test, began with newly hatched fry and lasted 26 days. Test water temperature ranged from 23 to 26 degrees C and salinity from 24.5 to 34.0%. Results of the two tests were similar, indicating that exposure of embryos added little to the overall toxicity of chlorpyrifos to grunions. Percentage hatch of embryos was unaffected by the chlorpyrifos concentrations tested. Fry survival was apparently reduced in nominal concentrations greater than or equal to 1.0 micrograms/liter in both tests, but significantly so in concentrations greater than or equal to 1.0 micrograms/liter in the ELS test and greater than or equal to 2.0 micrograms/liter in the fry test. When compared with carrier controls, mean fish weights were significantly reduced in nominal chlorpyrifos concentrations greater than or equal to 0.5 micrograms/liter in the ELS test and greater than or equal to 1.0 micrograms/liter in the fry exposure. Mean bioconcentration factors were 770X for fish that survived the ELS test and 190X for those that survived the fry test. Results demonstrate the practicality of conducting ELS tests for the first time with a marine fish from the Pacific coastal waters of the United States.

Animals↗

Automatic implantable cardioverter-defibrillator: radiographic appearance.

The automatic implantable cardioverter-defibrillator is used in patients with ventricular tachyarrhythmias resistant to medical or surgical therapy. The device, which has a unique radiographic appearance, senses ventricular tachycardia or fibrillation and automatically delivers a cardioverting or/defibrillating electric shock.

Arrhythmias, Cardiac↗

Mediastinal position and air-fluid height after pneumonectomy: the effect of the respiratory cycle.

After pneumonectomy, a shift of the mediastinum toward the nonoperated side may be the initial indicator of a postoperative problem such as empyema, bronchopleural fistula, esophageal-pleural fistula, hemothorax, or recurrent tumor. Postoperatively, a drop in the fluid level on the operated side may indicate a bronchopleural fistula or other fistulous connection. To assess the effect of the respiratory cycle on these two signs, 16 patients were studied with inspiration-expiration films. In every case the mediastinum shifted toward the normal side in expiration, and in no case did a fluid level change position by more than 5 mm with respiratory maneuvers. Therefore, the respiratory phase must be considered when assessing the significance of mediastinal shift after pneumonectomy.

Adult↗

Diagnostic imaging in acute cardiopulmonary disease.

Optimum use of portable radiography and the newer imaging modalities requires careful coordination between the radiologist and intensivist. This article discusses the current imaging approach to patients with acute pulmonary disease, acute cardiovascular disease, and postoperative and iatrogenic problems.

Acute Disease↗

Use of computed tomography to assess mediastinal complications after median sternotomy.

Thirty computed tomographic (CT) scans from 27 patients who had undergone median sternotomy were reviewed. A control group of 15 asymptomatic patients was studied either early (within 21 days) or late (46 days to 22 years) after sternotomy. Twelve patients with symptoms ranging from sternal click to obvious mediastinitis also were studied within 30 days of sternotomy. The CT findings were correlated with the patient's clinical course. Imperfect sternal closure (sternal step-offs and gaps) was found in 10 of the 15 asymptomatic patients. Focal retrosternal fluid collections, air, and hematomas were seen in more than 75% of the asymptomatic patients. Retrosternal abscess, presternal abscess, and sternal disruption were noted in 3 symptomatic patients. Computed tomography correctly diagnosed the extent of mediastinal abscess in all patients. In the 3 patients in whom there was a discrepancy between the CT scan and the clinical findings, the scan ultimately was shown to be correct. These results indicate that computed tomography is a valuable tool in diagnosing wound problems after sternotomy because it accurately depicts the extent and depth of the wound infection.

Adult↗

CT diagnosis of broncholithiasis.

Computed tomography clearly demonstrated broncholithiasis rather than suspected malignancy as the cause of segmental atelectasis of the right middle lobe. Possible technical limitations as a source of error are presented.

Bronchial Diseases↗

CT Identification of postlaminectomy pseudomeningocele.

A postlaminectomy pseudomeningocele is a spherical, fluid-filled space with fibrous capsule lying dorsal to the thecal canal in the laminectomy opening that occasionally develops after surgery. Eight cases were found in 400 symptomatic postlaminectomy patients undergoing computed tomographic examination. The contents are of cerebrospinal fluid density and may or may not have demonstrable communication with the subarachnoid space. Whether they are the cause of symptoms is conjectural; none of these eight patients had surgical removal.

Adult↗

Computed tomography of the normal sternum.

The normal CT anatomy of the sternum was studied in 35 patients. In addition to the normal appearance of the sternum, normal variants that may mimic disease were often noted. In the manubrium, part of the posterior cortical margin was unsharp and irregular in 34 of 35 patients. Part of the anterior cortical margin was indistinct in 20 of the 35 patients. Angulation of the CT gantry to a position more nearly perpendicular to the manubrium improved the definition of the cortical margins. The body of the sternum was ovoid to rectangular and usually had sharp cortical margins. Sections through the manubriosternal joint and xyphoid often demonstrated irregular mottled calcifications and indistinct margins again simulating bony lesions. The rib insertions, sternal clavicular joints, and adjacent soft-tissue appearance also were evaluated.

Adolescent↗

Complications of median sternotomy: computed tomographic evaluation.

Complications of median sternotomy are infrequent (0.5%-5%) but have a very high mortality and morbidity. Conventional radiographic techniques are of limited value in assessing these complications. Twenty sternotomy patients without problems and 12 with clinical problems were studied with CT. In the control group, focal edema, focal hematomas, and minor sternal irregularities were universal. In the problem group, CT was able to distinguish the six patients without significant infection from the six with major infections. In the latter group, CT was of great value in determining whether the infection was limited to the presternal tissues, the anterior mediastinum, or both.

Abscess↗

Computed tomography in acute cardiopulmonary disease.

This article reviews how CT will supplement or replace other diagnostic studies and evaluate patients with postoperative problems, posttraumatic problems, acute medical disorders, and iatrogenic complications.

Acute Disease↗