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Single-exposure dual-energy chest images with computed radiography. Evaluation with simulated pulmonary nodules.

RATIONALE AND OBJECTIVES: Dual-energy subtraction radiography using computed radiography (CR) can aid in the detection of pulmonary abnormalities such as nodules, but the subtracted image requires higher x-ray exposure than usual to reduce quantum mottle. To reduce quantum mottle without increasing x-ray exposure, a new dual-energy subtraction algorithm was investigated that included an edge-adaptive smoothing process and a subtraction process. The signal-to-noise ratio and the image quality of this new subtracted image was significantly superior to that of conventional subtracted images. METHODS: Observer performance of the subtracted digital radiography in detecting simulated pulmonary nodules was compared with original CR images and conventional subtracted digital radiography of 50 patients. RESULTS: A combination of an original CR image and a new subtracted CR image was significantly superior to a single original CR image or a combination of an original CR image and a conventional subtracted CR image (P < .01). DISCUSSION: The single-exposure dual-energy subtraction method is superior to the conventional subtraction method in the detection of pulmonary nodules.

Humans↗

Appropriateness of routine postoperative chest radiography after tracheotomy.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the appropriateness of postoperative chest radiography after adult tracheotomy. DESIGN: Retrospective case series. SETTING: Tertiary care academic medical center. PATIENTS: The records of 379 consecutive adult patients who underwent tracheotomy by the Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery Service from January 1992 to December 1996 were available for review and met inclusion criteria. All patients underwent postoperative chest radiography. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Frequency of postoperative tracheotomy-associated complications, most significantly pneumothorax. RESULTS: The patients had no pneumothorax on postoperative chest films. Minor complications, which were found in 7.1% of the patients, included small bleeds, wound infection, and subcutaneous emphysema. Tracheostomy-associated death occurred in 2 patients (0.5%). CONCLUSIONS: Routine postoperative chest radiography is unnecessary after adult tracheotomy. Chest radiography may be indicated by clinically suspicious signs or symptoms.

Adolescent↗

Diagnostic value of abdominal radiography in constipated children: a systematic review.

BACKGROUND: Constipation is a common problem in children. Diagnosis is based on clinical features. In case of doubt about the presence of constipation, the existence of fecal retention can be evaluated on plain abdominal radiography. OBJECTIVES: To describe and to assess the evidence from observational, controlled studies concerning the association between abdominal radiography and symptoms and signs related to constipation in children. METHODS: MEDLINE was searched from inception to April 2004 using a specified search strategy. Studies that fulfilled predefined criteria were assessed for methodological quality. Study characteristics and associations were extracted and the results were summarized according to a best-evidence synthesis. RESULTS: Of the 392 publications identified, 6 studies met the inclusion criteria. Only 2 studies were of high methodological quality. The best-evidence synthesis yielded conflicting evidence for an association between a clinical and a radiological diagnosis of constipation. The likelihood ratio (LR) in 2 high-quality studies was close to 1 (LR, 1.2; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.0-1.4; and LR, 1.0; 95% CI, 0.5-1.6). Conflicting evidence was found for an association between digital rectal examination and fecal impaction on radiography. Limited evidence was found for an association between a history of hard stool and a finding of rebound tenderness and radiography (LR, 1.2; 95% CI, 1.0-1.4; and LR, 1.1; 95% CI, 1.0-1.2, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: The limited amount of data available shows conflicting evidence for an association between clinical symptoms of constipation and fecal loading on abdominal radiographs in children. The recommendation to perform a plain abdominal radiograph in case of doubt of the presence of constipation in a child cannot be supported. Further research of good methodological quality is needed.

Child↗

Chest sonography versus lateral decubitus radiography in the diagnosis of small pleural effusions.

PURPOSE: The aim of this prospective study was to assess the value of chest sonography in the radiologic diagnosis of small pleural effusions (relative to expiratory lateral decubitus radiography) and to suggest gray-scale sonographic criteria for detecting the presence of small pleural effusions. METHODS: Patients referred for abdominal or chest sonographic evaluation for various reasons were also examined for sonographic features of pleural effusion from May 1, 1997, until January 31, 2000. Patients who had evidence of small pleural effusions were included. Patients with no such evidence served as a control group. Subsequently, all patients underwent erect posteroanterior and expiratory lateral decubitus chest radiography. RESULTS: On chest sonography, 52 patients were found to have small pleural effusions. The control group consisted of 17 patients. The mean thickness of the pleural effusion was 9.2 mm on sonography and 7.6 mm on expiratory lateral decubitus radiography (p < 0.01). Compared with radiologic examination, chest sonography had a positive predictive value of 92% in the diagnosis of small pleural effusions in our study population. CONCLUSIONS: Chest sonography showed a high degree of accuracy relative to that of lateral decubitus chest radiography in the diagnosis of small pleural effusions, which appeared as thin (usually 15 mm thick or less) anechoic areas that changed shape with the phases of respiration.

Adult↗

Yearly chest radiography in the early detection of lung cancer following laryngeal cancer.

In a retrospective study of 556 patients (505 men, 51 women) with laryngeal cancer the incidence and prognosis of lung malignancies was studied in patients who were examined yearly by chest radiography. In 69 patients (12.4%) a lung malignancy was diagnosed, with 28 having a histologically confirmed second primary malignancy. All of these 69 patients were men. The incidence of radiologically detected lung malignancies, both second primary and metastatic cancer, is higher and more prolonged following supraglottic carcinoma than following glottic carcinoma. In 47 patients (68%) without symptoms, the lung malignancy was detected by routine annual chest radiography. The survival rate in patients with lung cancer detected by the yearly radiography was significantly higher than in patients diagnosed after symptoms (median survival 10 and 4 months, respectively). However, taking into account the lead time between early radiologic diagnosis and the time a tumor would have been diagnosed following symptoms, the observed survival benefit of yearly radiography was much lower, or even nil.

Actuarial Analysis↗

67Ga scanning for assessment of disease activity and therapy decisions in pulmonary sarcoidosis in comparison to chest radiography, serum ACE and blood T-lymphocytes.

In 60 patients with histologically proven sarcoidosis, 67Ga scanning was evaluated in terms of sensitivity and specificity for assessing disease activity and compared with chest radiography, serum ACE and blood T-lymphocytes. While 67Ga scans had the highest sensitivity (94%), the specificity was only 68%. The sensitivity of chest radiography was 80%, of serum ACE and blood T-lymphocytes 77% and 48%, respectively. While in patients with radiographical type I, 67Ga scanning, chest radiography and serum ACE had a sensitivity of 92%-100%, in patients with radiographical type II-III, only 67Ga scans had a sensitivity exceeding 90%. A 67Ga score correlated significantly with serum ACE levels (r = 0.59, P less than 0.001). After effective steroid treatment, 67Ga uptake and serum ACE activities decreased markedly. While in 25% of cases, chest radiography failed to provide reliable information, 67Ga scanning and serum ACE activities always proved useful in evaluating the course of the disease and the patient's response to steroid therapy. A negative 67Ga scan together with normal serum ACE levels seem to have a high predictive value for excluding active sarcoidosis.

Adolescent↗

Is upper gastrointestinal radiography necessary in the initial management of uncomplicated dyspepsia? A randomized controlled trial comparing empiric antacid therapy plus patient reassurance with traditional care.

STUDY OBJECTIVE: To compare two strategies for the evaluation and management of patients who have had acute dyspepsia for four days or more: empiric high-dose antacid therapy combined with patient reassurance (empiric care) versus therapy based on prompt upper gastrointestinal radiography (traditional care). DESIGN: Prospective, randomized trial. The patients in the empiric care group were reassured that upper gastrointestinal radiography was not necessary and were subsequently treated with high-dose empiric antacid therapy (15-30 ml of high-potency antacid one and three hours after meals and at bedtime). The traditional care group after meals and at bedtime). The traditional care group received upper gastrointestinal radiography as part of the initial evaluation. Subsequent treatment was determined by individual physicians based on test results. SETTINGS: Fee-for-service, hospital-based primary care practice and Veteran's Administration medical center outpatient clinic. PATIENTS: All patients were less than 70 years of age and without gastrointestinal bleeding, anemia, significant weight loss, or other specified symptoms of severe acid peptic disease. Fifty patients were randomized to traditional care, and 51 to empiric care. Pre-randomization clinical features were identical with the exception of sex distribution and baseline disability. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: After six months of follow-up, there were no significant differences in symptom scores, disability, satisfaction, and quality of life measures (as measured by the Sickness Impact Profile scores) between the two groups. Findings were unchanged when adjusted for sex, study site, alcohol consumption, and cigarette smoking. Of the radiographs obtained in the traditional care group, 13 (27%) showed duodenal ulcer disease, gastritis, or duodenitis. There were no serious complications of ulcer disease or therapy noted in either group. The average costs per patient associated with traditional care at one study site were greater, $286 versus $116 (p less than 0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: Select patients with dyspepsia receiving a combination of reassurance and empiric antacid therapy do as well as patients whose initial management strategy includes upper gastrointestinal radiography, at a substantially lower cost.

Adult↗

Digital radiography: comparison of different methods for imaging of the thorax and the gastrointestinal tracts.

In evaluating the image quality of the chest, four different analog and digital methods were compared. For peripheral lung field, the advanced multiple beam equalization radiography (AMBER) system was given the best score, followed in order by the storage-phosphor, conventional, and asymmetric film/screen systems. For the mediastinal field, the highest image quality was given to the AMBER system, followed by storage phosphor and asymmetric film/screen system. The best overall image quality, especially with regard to demonstration of pathologic alteration, was given to the AMBER system, followed by the storage-phosphor, conventional, and asymmetric film/screen radiography systems. In conclusion, AMBER demonstrated the highest image quality. The storage-phosphor system provided better results in the peripheral and mediastinal fields in comparison with conventional film/screen systems. Other digital systems including selenium chest radiography system and image intensifier digital radiography were also discussed.

Bone and Bones↗

[Digital radiography. Cost-benefit analysis].

Due to its high dynamic range and contrast discernibility, digital radiography offers substantial advantages compared with conventional film-screen systems. Moreover, further advantages can be assumed for radiation protection. Digital radiography also allows conventional image data to be included in PACS (Picture Archiving Communication System). These well-known advantages are faced with legal questions which are not yet settled. Cost effectiveness in using systems of digital radiography and PACS are also under discussion. By means of examining economic efficiency and cost analysis of digital radiography systems, economic effectiveness was assessed. This was also compared with conventional alternatives. As a result, it may be assumed that amortization is reached in three to four years. Based on lower costs for films, digital systems are more cost effective than conventional systems after this period.

Cost-Benefit Analysis↗

Degeneration of the cervical disc: histology compared with radiography and magnetic resonance imaging.

Decisions about the treatment of neck pain are largely made on the basis of information gained from plain X-rays and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), which are used routinely as part of preliminary investigation. We performed a descriptive cadaveric study to compare histology with radiography and MRI. We correlated plain radiography, disc height [Farfan index (FI)] and MRI findings with histology to assess the ability of radiology to detect significant pathologic lesions. The study included 52 motion segments from nine subjects over the age of 50, who underwent routine hospital autopsy. Disc degeneration was assessed by histology, radiography, disc height (FI: anterior disc height plus posterior disc height divided by anterioposterior diameter) and MRI using established grading systems. Most of the discs were classified radiologically as grade 1 (19/52), grade 2 (13/52), grade 3 (9/52) or grade 4 (3/52). Eight of the discs were graded as normal. The distribution of MRI grades was grade 0 (9/36), grade 1 (9/36), grade 2 (7/36), grade 3 (8/36) and grade 4 (3/36). Half of the discs (26/52) showed advanced (grade 4) degeneration histologically. FI correlated with histological grade (P = 0.013), MRI grade (P = 0.02) and radiological grade (P < 0.001) of degeneration. Radiological and histological grade of degeneration showed a weak correlation (r = 0.3, P = 0.033). MRI correlated with overall histological grade (r = 0.41, P = 0.015, n = 34). Histological features (e.g., tears, rim lesions, prolapse of nucleus material) were poorly recognised by MRI, which had a sensitivity for disc material prolapse and annulus tears of less than 40%. Our study showed that discs from patients over 50 years are histologically severely degenerated; however, these changes may not be detected by conventional radiography and MRI.

Aged↗

Leakage assessment in adjustable laparoscopic gastric banding: radiography versus (99m)Tc-pertechnetate scintigraphy.

The least invasive of all surgical weight-lowering procedures is the adjustable laparoscopic gastric banding (ALGB) technique. A rare complication (0.9%-1.8% of patients) but one that may require surgical revision is leakage of the gastric banding device. This paper reports on the usefulness of technetium-99m scintigraphy for the assessment of gastric band leaks as compared with radiography. Between March 1997 and October 2001, 23 obese patients (20 women and 3 men; mean age 35 years; range 23-60 years; mean body mass index before gastric banding procedure, 39.2 kg/m(2); range 29.3-52.1 kg/m(2)) were referred for exclusion of gastric banding leakage by means of radiography and (99m)Tc-pertechnetate scintigraphy. Both procedures were performed on the same day in all patients. Two patients underwent both procedures, respectively two and three times. A total of 27 radiographic and scintigraphic examinations were performed. Radiographs were judged positive for leakage when escape of contrast agent through a defect in the gastric banding device was visualised or when indirect criteria, e.g. smooth passage of barium suspension through the stoma after injection of contrast agent, were present. Scintigraphic images were judged positive when tracer disappearance out of the banding device and uptake in the thyroid gland as well as enhancement of the gastric mucosa were observed 30 min and/or 3 h post injection. Overall sensitivity, specificity and accuracy for radiography and (99m)Tc scintigraphy were 81.8% vs 81.8%, 75% vs 100% and 77.7% vs 92.6%. Leakage from the reservoir or the connecting tube is a late complication of ALGB. The presented data suggest that (99m)Tc-pertechnetate scintigraphy is more efficient than radiography in determining the presence of such leaks.

Adult↗

Diagnosis of acute fractures of the extremities: comparison of low-field MRI and conventional radiography.

The aim of this study was to compare low-field MRI (0.2 T) and conventional radiography for the detection of acute fractures of the distal part of the extremities. X-ray and MRI examinations of 78 (41 fractures, 37 without fracture) patients with the clinical suspicion of an acute fracture in the distal part of the extremities were compared. Four experienced radiologists, two for each of the two modalities, independently analyzed the images. Interobserver variability and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis for both methods were established. The MRI and conventional radiography revealed an accuracy of 81.4 and of 79.5%, respectively, in the detection of acute fractures. The diagnostic accuracy of MRI to detect fractures in the hand and forefoot proved to be significantly inferior to conventional X-ray examinations. On the other hand, MRI achieved a better accuracy for the examination of bones near a large joint. The interobserver variability for both methods was rated as moderate. In ROC analysis both methods were rated as good. There was no statistical difference of the accuracy between low-field MRI and conventional radiography in the detection of acute fractures of the distal part of the extremities. Consequently, a routine use of low-field MRI as an alternative to conventional radiography to diagnose acute fractures of the extremities seems not to be justified.

Adult↗

Radiopacity study of extended-release formulations using digitalized radiography.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the role of radiography in the assessment/treatment of toxic ingestions and to compare the radiopacity of extended-release formulations to their basic preparations using standard and digitized radiography in vitro. Medications were placed in an in vitro model of the human abdomen. Images were exposed at 80 kV, 20 MAS, with a tube to table distance of 101.6 cm. Images were enhanced by optical scanning and digitized. Radiopacity was compared with ferrous sulfate. A 100% increase in detection was appreciated when the standard radiograph was digitally enhanced. No trend toward one formulation being more radiopaque than the other. Only capsules were more radiolucent than surrounding in vitro model. Digital enhancement of a standard radiograph was shown to improve the detectability of the tested oral dosage forms in vitro. Sensitivity of digital radiography in vivo has not yet been established. Based on the data presented, however, further studies using digital radiography to document and to monitor acute toxic ingestions in-vivo are warranted.

Contrast Media↗

Routine radiography does not have a role in the diagnostic evaluation of ambulatory adult febrile neutropenic cancer patients.

Cancer patients treated with chemotherapy are susceptible to bacterial infections. When an adult patient presents with febrile neutropenia, standard diagnostic care includes physical examination, laboratory diagnostics, chest X-ray (CXR) and sinus radiography. However, the yield of routine radiography in the diagnostic evaluation of ambulatory adult febrile neutropenic patients with normal findings at their physical examination is questionable. Two CXRs and one sinus X-ray were obtained in 109 and 106 febrile neutropenic episodes after chemotherapy in ambulatory adult patients who had no clinical signs suggesting pulmonary infection or sinusitis. We found that in only two of 109 (1.8%; 95% Confidence Interval (CI): 0.3-5.8%) febrile neutropenic episodes without clinical signs of new pulmonary disease, the CXR showed a consolidation suggesting pneumonia. In addition, in five of 88 (5.7%; 95% CI: 2.2-12.0%) febrile episodes in asymptomatic patients, sinus X-ray suggested sinusitis. In none of these seven episodes was a change of antibiotic therapy necessary. In the absence of clinical signs indicating pneumonia or sinusitis, the yield of CXR and sinus radiography in ambulatory adult cancer patients presenting with febrile neutropenia is minimal; CXR and sinus radiography should no longer be performed on a routine basis.

Adolescent↗

Comparison of ultrasonography and radiography in assessment of the heel pad compressibility index of patients with plantar heel pain syndrome. Measurement of the fat pad in plantar heel pain syndrome.

AIMS: The shock absorption of the heel fat pad is assessed by heel-pad compressibility index measuring the thickness of the heel pad on the lateral radiographs unloaded and loaded by body-weight. Ultrasonography is an easily applicable method without radiation and magnification inherent in radiographs. There are no reports comparing these measurements by diagnostic ultrasonography and direct radiography in healthy individuals and in different clinical entities. The efficacy of ultrasonography in assessment of heel-pad compressibility index in patients with plantar heel pain syndrome was investigated comparing it with direct radiography. METHODS: The loaded and unloaded heel-pad thicknesses by ultrasonography and direct radiography were measured in 69 feet of 42 patients with plantar heel pain syndrome and their results were compared. RESULTS: In direct radiographs, the mean unloaded heel-pad thickness was 20+/-2 mm and ranged from 14 to 26 mm. Heel-pad compressibility index was 0.62+/-0.09. There was a strong positive correlation between the measurements of the unloaded thickness (r=0.84, P<0.001) and also between the measurements of the loaded thickness (r=0.88, P<0.001) done using ultrasonography and direct radiography. The difference between the results of measurements in two modalities did not exceed +/-1 mm in 50% and +/-2 mm in 81% in unloaded position and +/-1 mm in 62% and +/-2 mm in 82% in loaded position. CONCLUSION: Measuring unloaded and loaded heel pad thickness by ultrasonography is reliable in the adult feet with heel pain. The preference of ultrasonography is reasonable in the studies involving the heel fat pad.

Adipose Tissue↗

Phase contrast radiography of Lewy bodies in Parkinson disease.

Parkinson's disease (PD), defined as a neurodegenerative disorder, is characterized by the loss of dopaminergic neurons and the presence of Lewy bodies in neurons. Morphological study of Lewy bodies is important to identify the causes and the processes of PD. Here, we investigate a possibility of phase contrast radiography using coherent synchrotron X-rays to explore the microscopic details of Lewy bodies in thick (approximately 3 mm) midbrain tissues. Autopsied midbrain tissues of a PD patient were sliced in 3 mm thickness and then examined using synchrotron X-rays from the 7B2 beamline of the Pohang Light Source. Refraction-enhanced phase contrast radiography and microtomography were adopted to identify dark core and dim edge of Lewy bodies in neurons. The morphology of Lewy bodies was clearly revealed by the phase contrast radiography in very thick (3 mm) midbrain tissues without any staining treatment. Three-dimensional volume rendered microtomography of the autopsied midbrain tissues demonstrates striking evidence that several Lewy bodies are agglomerated by dim edges in a neuron. We suggest that the phase contrast radiography could be a useful tool to morphologically investigate the causes or the processes in PD.

Dopamine↗

Utility of chest radiography and cystoscopy in the evaluation of patients with localized prostate cancer.

OBJECTIVES: Candidates for radical prostatectomy have been frequently evaluated with chest radiography and occasionally with cystoscopy. The utility of these studies was assessed. METHODS: A retrospective review of 236 cases of radical prostatectomy performed over 5 years was conducted. Chest x-ray results were correlated with certain comorbidities believed to be risk factors for radiographic abnormalities, including hypertension, cardiac disease, pulmonary problems, and tobacco use. Cystoscopic findings were analyzed with regard to urologic history and urinalysis results. RESULTS: Chest radiography was normal in 208 (88.1%) and abnormal in 28 (11.9%) patients. All 28 patients with abnormalities had one or more of the aforementioned risk factors. Sixty-two individuals (26.3%) had no risk factors, and chest radiography was uniformly normal in this group. Cystoscopy was performed in 91 patients. State Ta transitional cell carcinoma of the bladder was detected in 6 of these patients (6.6%); these 6 patients all had either a history of this problem or hematuria. One individual had a mild bladder-neck contracture that did not warrant treatment. Endoscopic findings were normal in the remaining patients. CONCLUSIONS: Chest radiography is not routinely needed to evaluate radical prostatectomy candidates. It should only be performed in patients who have or are at risk for cardiopulmonary disease. Cystoscopy is not warranted in this setting unless there is clinical suspicion of other urologic pathology.

Adult↗

Derivation of a decision rule for the use of radiography in acute knee injuries.

STUDY OBJECTIVE: To derive a highly sensitive decision rule for the selective use of radiography in acute knee injuries. DESIGN: Prospectively administered survey. SETTING: Emergency departments of two university hospitals. PARTICIPANTS: Convenience sample of 1,047 adults with acute knee injuries. RESULTS: Attending emergency physicians assessed each patient for 23 standardized clinical findings, which were recorded on data collection forms. A total of 127 patients was examined independently by two physicians to determine interobserver agreement. The outcome measure was fracture of the knee. Any patients who did not have ED radiography underwent a structured telephone interview to determine the possibility of a missed fracture. Those variables found to be both reliable (highest kappa values) and strongly associated with a fracture (highest chi 2 values) were further analyzed by a recursive-partitioning multivariate technique. The derived decision rule included the following variables: (1) age 55 years or older, (2) tenderness at the head of the fibula, (3) isolated tenderness of the patella, (4) inability to flex to 90 degrees, and (5) inability to bear weight both immediately and in the ED (four steps). The presence of one or more of these findings would have identified the 68 fractures in the study population with a sensitivity of 1.0 (95% confidence interval [Cl], .95 to 1.0) and a specificity of .54 (95% Cl, .51 to .57). Application of the rule would have led to a 28.0% relative reduction in the use of radiography from 68.6% to 49.4% in the study population. CONCLUSION: A practical, highly sensitive, and reliable decision rule for the use of radiography in acute knee injuries has been derived. Clinical application should await prospective validation of the rule.

Adult↗