Cross-use of technology between nuclear medicine and radiology technologists is expanding. The growth of PET/CT and the increasing use of intravenous contrast agents during these procedures bring the nuclear medicine technologist into direct contact with these agents and their associated complications. A basic understanding of the occurrence, risk factors, clinical features, and management of these procedures is of increasing importance to the nuclear medicine technologist. After reading this article, the technologist will be able to list the factors that increase the risk of contrast reactions; understand ways to minimize the occurrence of contrast reactions; and develop a plan to identify, treat, and manage the reactions effectively.
The results of this study of a small group of general medical patients are suggestive that frontal or parietal cerebral perfusion abnormalities occur in delirium, and these findings need to be confirmed by future, larger studies. These results may help to improve basic understanding of delirium pathophysiology, to identify long-term changes, and to evaluate response to treatment over time.
The calcaneus is the most commonly fractured tarsal bone and accounts for about 2% of all fractures. Advances in cross-sectional imaging, particularly in computed tomography (CT), have given this modality an important role in identifying and characterizing calcaneal fractures. Fracture characterization is essential to guide the management of these injuries. Calcaneal fractures have characteristic appearances based on the mechanism of injury and are divided into two major groups, intraarticular and extraarticular. Most calcaneal fractures (70%-75%) are intraarticular and result from axial loading that produces shear and compression fracture lines. Of the two major systems for classifying intraarticular fractures-Hannover and Sanders-the latter is used most often and is helpful in treatment planning and determining prognosis. Extraarticular fractures account for about 25%-30% of calcaneal fractures and include all fractures that do not involve the posterior facet. The article describes in detail calcaneal anatomy, mechanism of calcaneal injuries and their associated fracture patterns, CT features of intra- and extraarticular fractures, and management implications. Familiarity with calcaneal anatomy and fracture patterns is essential for radiologists to guide the treating physicians.
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