Thoracic injuries are significant causes of morbidity and mortality in trauma patients. These injuries account for approximately 25% of trauma-related deaths in the United States, second only to head injuries. Radiologic imaging plays an important role in the diagnosis and management of blunt chest trauma. In addition to conventional radiography, multidetector computed tomography (CT) is increasingly being used, since it can quickly and accurately help diagnose a wide variety of injuries in trauma patients. Furthermore, multiplanar and volumetric reformatted CT images provide improved visualization of injuries, increased understanding of trauma-related diseases, and enhanced communication between the radiologist and the referring clinician.
Fractures and dislocations of the carpal bones are more common in young active patients. These injuries can lead to pain, dysfunction, and loss of productivity. Conventional radiography remains the primary imaging modality for evaluation of suspected carpal fractures and dislocations. However, multidetector computed tomography (CT) is playing an increasingly important role, especially in the following situations: (a) when results from initial radiographs are negative in patients with suspected carpal fractures, (b) when initial radiographic findings are indeterminate, and (c) when knowledge of the extent of carpal fractures or dislocations is required before surgical treatment. The advantages of multidetector CT include quick and accurate diagnosis with availability in most emergency centers. Multidetector CT can easily display the extent of carpal fractures and dislocations, often depicting fractures that are occult at radiography. In addition, with multiplanar (two-dimensional) and volumetric (three-dimensional) reformation, pathologic conditions and anatomic relationships are better perceived. This information can be easily conveyed to orthopedic and trauma surgeons and can be crucial for surgical treatment and planning.
case of disseminated cysticercosis involving the muscular system and subcutaneous tissues is reported here. To our knowledge, the imaging findings of disseminated muscular cysticercosis have not been reported before. In this case, the correct diagnosis was made on the basis of high-resolution sonography of the subcutaneous tissue and muscles. It showed multiple oval to circular, predominantly anechoic lesions, which were around 1 cm in diameter. Most of these cystic lesions showed a hyperechoic focus within suggestive of a scolex. There was no increased vascularity surrounding the lesions on color Doppler examination. Thus, sonography can primarily make the correct diagnosis of disseminated muscular cysticercosis if such lesions are seen.Received March 22, 2004, Case ReportA 5-year-old girl had subcutaneous swellings all over her body. The swellings were each between 0.5 and 2 cm in size. There were only 1 or 2 to start with on the back of the neck, and then they gradually increased to involve the chest, head, neck, arms, and legs in 2 to 3 months (Figure 1). These swellings were accompanied by onset of abnormal behavior in the form of irritability, talkativeness, disobeying commands, and bladder incontinence (secondary enuresis). Also, there was abnormal weight gain of 10 kg. The patient also had decreased vision for 1 month. Dietary habits of the patient included pork and other meat. Examination revealed multiple subcutaneous nodules between 0.5 and 2 cm in size over the forehead, abdomen, back, and legs. She weighed 29 kg (19 kg 1 month previously). Her vision was 6/30 according to the Snellen chart.
The objective of this study was to validate the Enhanced Peritoneal Stripe Sign (EPSS) in diagnosing pneumoperitoneum in patients presenting with acute abdomen. The EPSS was described as a specific sonographic sign of pneumoperitoneum in an animal model and few patients who had undergone laparoscopy (Muradali et al. in Am J Roentgenol 173(5): 1257-1262, 1999). This is the first large-scale study in patients to detect the efficacy of EPSS. Six hundred consecutive patients with acute abdominal pain presenting to the author over a period of 3 months in the emergency ultrasonography department were prospectively studied for the presence of the EPSS. As part of their clinical work up, patients also underwent plain radiographs and/or a computed tomography (CT) of the abdomen. The author was unaware of the results of other imaging studies at the time of the sonographic examination. In all cases, the final diagnosis was based on the intra-operative findings, results of other imaging techniques and clinical follow-up. Based on the final diagnosis, 21 out of 600 patients had pneumoperitoneum. The EPSS was found to be positive in all 21 of these patients. Another three patients were found to have the sign false positive. There were no false negatives in this study. The EPSS thus had a sensitivity of 100%, a specificity of 99%, a positive predictive value of 87.5% and a negative predictive value of 100%. The EPSS is a reliable and accurate sonographic sign for the diagnosis of pneumoperitoneum. It should be looked for in all patients presenting with acute abdominal pain.
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