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Biomedical subjects

M Sundaram

Publications and source records attributed to M Sundaram.

At least 109 records · Page 6Linked to original sources

Computed tomography in the diagnosis of blunt thoracic injury.

BACKGROUND: Computed tomography (CT) is an important diagnostic modality in the evaluation of blunt head and abdominal injuries, but it has not been routinely used to evaluate blunt chest trauma. METHODS: One hundred seventy stable patients with blunt thoracic trauma were evaluated with chest x-ray (CXR), and subsequently by CT. RESULTS: Of a total of 131 fractures, 53% were identified on initial CXR, 39% on CT, and 26% were not seen on either study. Twenty-one pneumothoraces were seen on CT but not on CXR. Chest tubes were placed in 8 patients and 12 patients were observed without incident. One hemothorax identified by CT scan alone required treatment. Four of 6 diaphragmatic injuries were seen on CT and 2 on CXR. Parenchymal abnormalities were apparent in 189 lung fields on CT and in 66 lung fields on CXR. Most represented atelectasis and did not require treatment. Altogether, CT scanning resulted in changes in management for 11 patients (6%). CONCLUSIONS: Although CXR is less sensitive in detecting parenchymal and pleural injuries than CT, the majority of the injuries identified by CT alone are minor and require no treatment. CXR remains the primary modality for diagnostic evaluation of blunt thoracic trauma.

Adult↗

Computed tomography as a screening exam in patients with suspected blunt aortic injury.

BACKGROUND: Chest computed tomography (CT) screening of patients with blunt trauma for thoracic aortic injury is controversial. This study was undertaken to determine whether CT could exclude aortic injury and be used to select patients for aortography. METHODS: Computed tomography and aortography were used to evaluate 155 patients with blunt trauma. Computed tomography scans were reviewed separately by four attending radiologists who were unaware of the patients' clinical course and angiographic findings. RESULTS: Eight of 155 patients had aortic injuries requiring operation. Computed tomography scans in five patients were read as positive by all reviewers. One scan was read as positive by three reviewers and as negative by one. Two scans were read as positive by two radiologists and as negative by two. After poor scans were excluded, the combined sensitivity of CT for detecting aortic injury was 88%, specificity was 54%, positive predictive value was 9%, and negative predictive value 99%. CONCLUSIONS: The sensitivity of CT scan for indicating the need for aortography is observer dependent. As CT manifestations of aortic injury are often subtle, CT does not reliably exclude aortic injury.

Adolescent↗

Periosteal Ewing sarcoma.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the imaging and histopathologic findings and clinical course of patients with periosteal Ewing sarcoma (PES). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Conventional radiographs, computed tomographic (CT) scans, and magnetic resonance (MR) images in 10 adolescents and one adult were evaluated for the extent and character of PES. RESULTS: Ten of 11 masses were in the proximal extremities and one in the fibula; nine were diaphyseal and two, metadiaphyseal. Radiographs and CT scans showed a subperiosteal mass that did not invade the medullary cavity, was contiguous with and elevated the periosteum, and produced a Codman triangle and periosteal reaction. No PES exhibited osseous or cartilaginous matrix calcifications. MR imaging and histopathologic examination helped confirm the sparing of cancellous bone and the subperiosteal location. CONCLUSION: PES differs from the more common medullary and soft-tissue Ewing sarcomas in location, marked male predominance, and lack of presenting metastases. Except for the absence of matrix calcifications, PES resembles other periosteal sarcomas in imaging characteristics and a less aggressive clinical course.

Adolescent↗

The role of magnetic resonance imaging in the diagnosis of soft tissue lesions.

Over the last decade MR imaging has gained widespread acceptance as the modality of choice for initial evaluation of a soft tissue mass. Although MR imaging generally does not predict the histologic nature of a mass, significant data are accumulating on MR imaging features useful in the diagnosis of several benign conditions and a few malignant ones. Soft tissue masses that do not demonstrate tumor-specific features on MR imaging should be considered indeterminate and possibly malignant and a biopsy should be obtained. This article reviews the literature and elaborates on soft tissue conditions where MR imaging features can suggest an accurate diagnosis of a soft tissue mass. The article also reviews other important applications of MR imaging as well as recent developments in pulsing sequences and MR spectroscopy. The major series studying the diagnostic value of MR imaging in soft tissue masses is discussed and compared.

Connective Tissue Diseases↗