Imaging of Bowel Ischemia
Abstract
Acute bowel ischemia is a broad category of disease that includes acute mesenteric ischemia and acute colonic ischemia. These two entities differ in their pathogenesis but result in hypoxic injury that presents with nonspecific clinical findings and a wide range of imaging appearances. Multi-row detector computed tomography (CT) and computed tomography angiography (CTA) have supplanted conventional angiography as the test of choice for acute mesenteric ischemia. Routine portal venous CT is typically adequate for colonic ischemia as it is most commonly nonocclusive in etiology. Dual-energy compu...
Source: Current Radiology Reports - March 30, 2016 Category: Radiology Source Type: research
Imaging of Patients with Renal Colic: A Paradigm Shift
Abstract
Renal colic—which typically manifests as paroxysmal waves of intense flank pain often radiating to the groin—results from ureteral peristalsis during passage of, or obstruction by, renal calculi. It is commonly encountered in the emergency department (ED) in patients of all age groups. In fact, the incidence of renal colic continues to increase, and currently accounts for nearly 2 % of all adult visits to the ED in the United States. The initial steps in assessing such patients beyond a good history, physical examination, and urinalysis involve the utilization of imaging. In this review, w...
Source: Current Radiology Reports - March 28, 2016 Category: Radiology Source Type: research
New Developments in Standards for MRI Safety Testing of Medical Devices
Abstract
The magnetic resonance (MR) environment presents unique safety hazards for implanted and accessory medical devices including unwanted device movement, tissue heating, device malfunction, and imaging artifacts. Ever increasing numbers of patients with implants and accessory devices undergo MRI exams, making MRI safety an important goal for all. This paper provides an overview of the current status of standards related to the testing and labeling of medical devices in the MR environment. These standards represent the efforts and ongoing collaborations between regulatory bodies, device manufacture...
Source: Current Radiology Reports - March 28, 2016 Category: Radiology Source Type: research
Patterns of Fatty Liver Disease
This article reviews the imaging findings of hepatic steatosis (fatty liver disease) on cross-sectional imaging with an emphasis on various patterns of focal fat. Hepatic steatosis can herald pathology or mimic metastatic disease, the latter generating confusion and creating undue patient anxiety. Hepatic steatosis is often first detected at computed tomography imaging, which serves as the primary imaging modality for evaluating a wide variety of diseases within the abdomen and pelvis. However, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) has evolved as a more precise method of evaluating for the presence, severity, and distribution o...
Source: Current Radiology Reports - March 27, 2016 Category: Radiology Source Type: research
Controversies and Pitfalls of Imaging Patients Postoperative Bariatric Surgery
Abstract
Bariatric surgery has become increasingly popular for treatment of morbid obesity. Imaging for diagnosis of postoperative complications is a challenge in this patient population. In this article, we provide an overview of the most important postoperative complications associated with bariatric surgery, viz. anastomotic leak, internal hernia, biliopancreatic limb obstruction, and gastrogastric fistula. We address the controversies in postoperative imaging of bariatric surgery patients, reviewing the available literature and supplement it with our experience. We also cover a few potential imaging...
Source: Current Radiology Reports - March 16, 2016 Category: Radiology Source Type: research
