The combination of both parameters is effective in predicting these outcome measures with higher sensitivities and NPVs. Further studies on the subject are required.
A AB BS ST TR RA AC CT T O Ob bj je ec ct ti iv ve e: : Vertigo is a common complaint in the emergency room. Vertigo can be central or peripheral in origin and it is important for an emergency physician to make a correct differential diagnosis. The purpose of our study was to emphasize the role of cranial magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and audiological tests in differential diagnosis of patients who present with vertigo to the emergency room. M Ma at te er ri ia al l a an nd d M Me et th ho od ds s: : Fifty patients (31 female, 19 male, mean age 50.84 years) with vertigo who were admitted to the Hacettepe University Faculty of Medicine Emergency Room (ER) between 01.10.2004 and 31.01.2005 were included in the study. Physical and neurological examinations of all patients were performed by senior residents and all patients were evaluated by Ear Nose Throat specialists. Audiologic and vestibular tests and MRI with 3T (Tesla) magnetic field power were performed in all patients. R Re es su ul lt ts s: : Among 29 patients with normal neurological examination, only 3 (10.3%) had lesions on MRI. MRI scans revealed lesions suggesting central vertigo etiology in six (18.2%) patients out of 33 with abnormal audiological test suggesting peripheral vestibulopathy. C Co on nc cl lu us si io on n: : In conclusion, in our prospective study, urgent cranial MRI technique in patients presenting to the emergency room with vertigo may reveal significant findings regarding the differential diagnosis and concomitant pathologies. However, meticulous neurological examination can exclude central vertigo in the majority of the patients.
Objective: Computerized tomography remains the gold standard imaging in renal colic patients. In this study, we develop a scoring system to select patients in emergency department for unnecessary computerized tomography imaging in order to decrease radiation exposure. Methods: Computerized tomography imaging of patients with renal colic in emergency department were retrospectively reviewed. Symptoms, laboratory results were recorded. Significant parameters were determined by univariate and multivariate analysis. Coefficients were found to obtain score points and receiver operating curve was used to find a cut-off value. Results: A total of 123 patients with a mean age of 42 years (18-75 years) were enrolled in the study. About, 20.3% of patients were stone-free in computerized tomography. Mean stone size was 6.1 ± 1.89 mm. According to analysis, four parameters were significant; nausea, stone history, creatinine, and hematuria with a total score 9 called as Osmangazi University STONE score. Cut-off value was found as >3, which computerized tomography imaging is recommended. Conclusion: Osmangazi University STONE score is useful and simple tool in emergency department to reduce unnecessary computerized tomography imaging in renal colic patients and also lowers cost and ionizing radiation exposure.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.