Evaluating the use of anti-scatter grids in adult knee radiography

IntroductionAnti-scatter grids efficiently reduce scatter radiation from reaching the imaging receptor, enhancing image quality; however, the patient radiation dose increases in the process. There is disagreement regarding the thickness thresholds for which anti-scatter grids are beneficial. This study aims to establish a thickness threshold for the use of anti-scatter grids to optimise adult knee radiography.MethodsThe study consisted of two phases. In Phase 1 phantom knee radiographs were acquired at varying thicknesses (10–16 cm) and tube voltages (60–80 kV). For each thickness and tube voltage, images with and without an anti-scatter grid were obtained. In Phase 2, two radiologists and three radiographers, evaluated the image quality of these images. Visual Grading Analysis (VGA) scores were analysed using Visual Grading Characteristics (VGC) based on the visualisation of five anatomic criteria.ResultsThe average DAP decreased by 72.1% and mAs by 73.1% when removing the anti-scatter grid. The VGC revealed that overall images taken with an anti-scatter grid have better image quality (AUC ≥0.5 for all comparisons). However, the anti-scatter grids could be removed for thicknesses 10, 12 and 14 cm in conjunction with using 80 kVp,.ConclusionAnti-scatter grids can be removed when imaging adult knees between 10 and 12 cm using any kVp setting since the radiation dose is reduced without significantly affecting image quality. For thicknesses >12 cm, the use of anti-scatter grids significantly improves image quality; however, the radiation dose to the patient is increased. The exception is at 14 cm used with 80 kVp, where changes in image quality were insignificant.Implications for practiceOptimisation by removing anti-scatter grids in adult knee radiography seems beneficial below 12 cm thickness with any kVp value. Since the average knee thickness ranges between 10 and 13 cm, anti-scatter grid can be removed for most patients. Nevertheless, further studies are recommended to test if this phantom-based threshold applies to human subjects.     

Direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) and neck of femur fractures: Standardising the perioperative management and time to surgery

Demographic projections for hip fragility fractures indicate a rising annual incidence by virtue of a multimorbid, ageing population with more noncommunicable diseases (NCDs). NCDs are characterised by slow progression and long duration ranging from ischaemic cardiovascular disease, cerebrovascular disease, diabetes, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease to various cancers. Management of this disease burden often involves commencing patients on oral anticoagulants to reduce the risk of thromboembolic events. The use of direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) in clinical practice has increased due to their rapid onset of action, short half-life and predictable anticoagulant effects, without the need for routine monitoring. Safe and timely surgical intervention relies on reversal of anticoagulants. However, the lack of specific evidence-based guidelines for the perioperative management of patients on DOACs with hip fractures has proved challenging; in particular, the accessibility of DOAC-specific assays, justification of the cost-benefit ratio of targeted reversal agents and indications for neuraxial anaesthesia. This has led to potentially avoidable delays in surgical intervention. Following a literature review of the pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamics of commonly used DOACs in our region including the role of surrogate markers, we propose a systematic, evidence-based guideline to the perioperative management of hip fractures DOACs. We believe this standardised protocol can be easily replicated between hospitals. We recommend that if patients are deemed suitable for a general anaesthesia, with satisfactory renal function, optimal surgical time should be 24 h following the last ingested dose of DOAC.     

Anomalous Origin of the Left Coronary Artery from the Pulmonary Artery: Diagnoses and Surgical Results in 12 Pediatric Patients

Anomalous origin of the left coronary artery from the pulmonary artery (ALCAPA) is a rare congenital condition. It responds well to early diagnosis and treatment, but otherwise the prognosis is poor. We present our case series of 12 patients (mean age, 2 ± 2.58 yr; age range, 2 mo–8 yr), emphasizing the diagnostic process and discussing our surgical results. The diagnosis of ALCAPA should be suspected in infants who have dilated cardiomyopathy with electrocardiographic changes that suggest ischemia, and in older children who have isolated mitral regurgitation. When clinical suspicion is high, the results of 2-dimensional echocardiography combined with color-flow Doppler studies in expert hands can establish the diagnosis, thus avoiding angiography in critically ill infants. The treatment of choice in our patients was transfer and reimplantation of the left coronary artery onto the ascending aorta. There were 2 deaths: both were infants in extremis who underwent emergency surgery. An older child with severe ventricular dysfunction was given mechanical ventricular assistance and then heart transplantation. As of this report, all 10 survivors remained well and asymptomatic.     

艾尔巴韦/格拉瑞韦治疗慢性丙型肝炎患者疗效初步观察

目的 初步探讨应用艾尔巴韦/格拉瑞韦治疗慢性丙型肝炎(CHC)患者的疗效。方法 2017年3月~2018年3月仙桃市第一人民医院感染病科收治的CHC患者82例,被随机分为对照组41例和观察组41例,分别给予聚乙二醇干扰素-α联合利巴韦林治疗和艾尔巴韦/格拉瑞韦治疗,两组均连续治疗24周。采用RT- PCR法检测血清 HCV RNA,采用全基因序列测定法行病毒基因分型。比较两组早期病毒学应答(EVR)、治疗结束时病毒学应答(ETVR)和持续病毒学应答(SVR)。结果 在治疗结束时,观察组血清丙氨酸氨基转移酶(ALT)水平为(47.9±19.7)U/L,显著低于对照组【(63.5±21.2)U/L,P<0.05】,天冬氨酸氨基转移酶(AST)水平为(55.5±22.3)U/L,显著低于对照组【(81.3±25.8)U/L,P<0.05】;观察组EVR、ETVR和SVR分别为48.8%、63.4%和70.7%,与对照组的41.5%、53.7%和65.8%比,无统计学差异(P>0.05);18例观察组非HCV Ⅰ型感染者EVR、ETVR和SVR分别为88.9%、94.4%和88.9%,显著高于同组23例HCV Ⅰ型感染者(分别为52.2%、60.9%和52.2%, P<0.05),而与对照组15例非HCV Ⅰ型感染者比,无统计学差异(分别为86.7%、93.3%和73.3%, P>0.05);观察组SVR₁₂为87.8%(36/41),显著高于对照组的73.2%(30/41,P<0.05)。结论 应用直接抗病毒(DAA)药物艾尔巴韦/格拉瑞韦治疗CHC患者近期疗效达到,但远期疗效似优于标准治疗方案, 值得临床进一步验证。     

动态范围压缩技术在CR足部影像中的应用

目的探讨动态范围压缩技术在体厚差别较大的足部CR图像处理中的应用价值。方法回顾性分析成人足部CR图像50例,采用动态范围压缩技术处理用以观察趾周软组织、第1趾甲沟、第5趾骨远侧节、距骨小粱、跟骰关节间隙的清晰显示率,并与常规CR处理图像进行比较。结果经动态范围压缩技术处理后,显示全足组织结构更加清晰,与常规CR图像相比,两者在统计学上存在显著差异(t=7.732,P<0.05)。结论对体厚差别较大的足部CR图像,应用动态范围压缩技术使大量有用信息得以充分利用,能在同一幅图像上同时显示软组织、骨骼及关节结构,具有较大的临床应用价值。     

比较4种影像技术对早期股骨头缺血性坏死的诊断敏感性

目的评价CR,CT,ECT和MRI在早期股骨头缺血性坏死(ANFH)中的诊断价值。方法回顾性分析16例23髋经手术、病理证实为早期(符合国际骨循环研究会(ARCO)分期标准Ⅰ期-Ⅱ期)股骨头缺血性坏死患者的CR,CT,ECT和MRI的影像学特征及其检查结果。结果CR诊断早期ANFH11髋,阳性率为47.8%,CT诊断早期ANFH14髋,阳性率为60.9%,ECT诊断诊断早期ANFH21髋,阳性率为91.3%,MRI诊断早期ANFH22髋,阳性率为95.7%。经统计学处理,X2=19.38,P<0.01,CR,CT,ECT和MRI四者敏感性的差异具有显著性意义。结论对早期股骨头缺血性坏死影像学诊断而言,CR诊断敏感性较低,CT可提供较多的诊断信息,ECT和MRI的敏感性高于CT及CR,MRI可准确地诊断早期股骨头缺血性坏死。     

暴发流行的肺炎衣原体肺炎影像学表现分析

目的研究肺炎衣原体肺炎暴发流行的胸部影像学特征表现。方法对经过痰和咽试子标本,PCR,MIF检测证实的15例暴发流行的肺炎衣原体肺炎住院患者胸部X线和高分辨CT表现进行分析。结果本组暴发流行的肺炎衣原体肺炎患者均有发热,头痛,全身肌肉酸痛,干咳,声音嘶哑,咽痛等症状。肺部呼吸音减低或细湿啰音4例(26.7%),出现明显肺部影像学表现10例(66.7%)。10例暴发流行的肺炎衣原体肺炎常表现为多发或单发以小叶为中心阴影和腺泡状结节影(100%),病变以两中、下肺叶,外、中带分布;以小叶分布的气腔实变和磨玻璃样阴影(分别为100%和40%)和支气管血管束增厚(90%)。无肺门或纵隔淋巴结增大和胸腔积液。结论暴发流行的肺炎衣原体肺炎具有群体发病,临床和影像学表现有相似的特征,早期CT检查更能真实地反映病变大小、多少和分布范围。     

医源性胆管狭窄X线表现

本文报道了１３例医源性胆管狭窄，分析其影像表现。特点为：环形狭窄；线样狭窄，包括规则的和不规则的线样狭窄；闭塞性狭窄；胆管闭塞和胆管中断分离。ＥＲＣＴ和ＰＣＴ对狭窄的形态，位置及长度显示优于ＣＴ和ＵＳ。