AIM To evaluate the association between C-reactive protein(CRP) and radiological evidence of lower respiratory tract infection(LRTI) in infants.METHODS All patients aged less than 4 years who presented with suspected ...AIM To evaluate the association between C-reactive protein(CRP) and radiological evidence of lower respiratory tract infection(LRTI) in infants.METHODS All patients aged less than 4 years who presented with suspected lower respiratory tract infection,who received a peri-presentation chest radiograph and CRP blood measurement over an 18-mo period were included in the study.Age,gender,source of referral,CRP,white cell count,neutrophil count along with the patients' symptoms and radiologist's report were recorded.RESULTS Three hundred and eleven patients met the inclusioncriteria.Abnormal chest radiographs were more common in patients with elevated CRP levels(P < 0.01).Radiologic signs of LRTI were identified in 73.7% of chest radiographs when a patient had a CRP level between 50-99 mg/L.CRP levels were a better predictor of positive chest radiograph findings for those aged greater than I year compared to those 1 year or less.CONCLUSION CRP may be used in patients with suspected LRTI diagnosis to select those who are likely to have positive findings on chest radiograph,thus reducing unnecessary chest radiographs.展开更多
AIM To assess the effect of neutral(NC) and positive(PC) oral contrast use on patient dose in low-dose abdominal computed tomography(CT).METHODS Low-dose clinically indicated CTs were performed on 79 Crohn's patie...AIM To assess the effect of neutral(NC) and positive(PC) oral contrast use on patient dose in low-dose abdominal computed tomography(CT).METHODS Low-dose clinically indicated CTs were performed on 79 Crohn's patients(35 = PC, 1 L 2% gastrografin; 44 = NC, 1.5 L polyethylene glycol). Scanner settings for both acquisitions were identical apart from 25 s difference in intravenous contrast timing. Body mass index(BMI), scan-ranges, dose-length product and size-specific dose estimated were recorded. Data was reconstructed with pure model-based iterative reconstruction. Image quality was objectively and subjectively analysed. Data analysis was performed with Statistical Package for Social Scientists.RESULTS Higher doses were seen in neutral contrast CTs(107.60 ± 78.7 m Gy.cm, 2.47 ± 1.21 m Gy vs 85.65 ± 58.2 m Gy.cm, 2.18 ± 0.96 m Gy). The differencehad both NC and PC investigations. Image-quality assessment yielded 6952 datapoints. NC image quality was significantly superior(P < 0.001)(objective noise, objective signal to noise ratio, subjective spatial resolution, subjective contrast resolution, diagnostic acceptability) at all levels. NC bowel distension was significantly(P < 0.001) superior.CONCLUSION The use of polyethylene glycol as a neutral OC agent leads to higher radiation doses than standard positive contrast studies, in low dose abdominal CT imaging. This is possibly related to the osmotic effect of the agent resulting in larger intraluminal fluid volumes and resultant increased overall beam attenuation.展开更多
文摘AIM To evaluate the association between C-reactive protein(CRP) and radiological evidence of lower respiratory tract infection(LRTI) in infants.METHODS All patients aged less than 4 years who presented with suspected lower respiratory tract infection,who received a peri-presentation chest radiograph and CRP blood measurement over an 18-mo period were included in the study.Age,gender,source of referral,CRP,white cell count,neutrophil count along with the patients' symptoms and radiologist's report were recorded.RESULTS Three hundred and eleven patients met the inclusioncriteria.Abnormal chest radiographs were more common in patients with elevated CRP levels(P < 0.01).Radiologic signs of LRTI were identified in 73.7% of chest radiographs when a patient had a CRP level between 50-99 mg/L.CRP levels were a better predictor of positive chest radiograph findings for those aged greater than I year compared to those 1 year or less.CONCLUSION CRP may be used in patients with suspected LRTI diagnosis to select those who are likely to have positive findings on chest radiograph,thus reducing unnecessary chest radiographs.
文摘AIM To assess the effect of neutral(NC) and positive(PC) oral contrast use on patient dose in low-dose abdominal computed tomography(CT).METHODS Low-dose clinically indicated CTs were performed on 79 Crohn's patients(35 = PC, 1 L 2% gastrografin; 44 = NC, 1.5 L polyethylene glycol). Scanner settings for both acquisitions were identical apart from 25 s difference in intravenous contrast timing. Body mass index(BMI), scan-ranges, dose-length product and size-specific dose estimated were recorded. Data was reconstructed with pure model-based iterative reconstruction. Image quality was objectively and subjectively analysed. Data analysis was performed with Statistical Package for Social Scientists.RESULTS Higher doses were seen in neutral contrast CTs(107.60 ± 78.7 m Gy.cm, 2.47 ± 1.21 m Gy vs 85.65 ± 58.2 m Gy.cm, 2.18 ± 0.96 m Gy). The differencehad both NC and PC investigations. Image-quality assessment yielded 6952 datapoints. NC image quality was significantly superior(P < 0.001)(objective noise, objective signal to noise ratio, subjective spatial resolution, subjective contrast resolution, diagnostic acceptability) at all levels. NC bowel distension was significantly(P < 0.001) superior.CONCLUSION The use of polyethylene glycol as a neutral OC agent leads to higher radiation doses than standard positive contrast studies, in low dose abdominal CT imaging. This is possibly related to the osmotic effect of the agent resulting in larger intraluminal fluid volumes and resultant increased overall beam attenuation.
