Optimal Abdominal CT Image Quality in Non-Lean Patients: Customization of CM Injection Protocols and Low-Energy Acquisitions.

We compared the image quality of abdominopelvic single-energy CT with 100 kVp (SECT-100 kVp) and dual-energy CT with 65 keV (DECT-65 keV) obtained with customized injection protocols to standard abdominopelvic CT scans (SECT-120 kVp) with fixed volumes of contrast media (CM). We retrospectively included 91 patients (mean age, 60.7 ± 15.

Bluetooth-Enabled Implantable Cardiac Monitors and Two-Way Smartphone Communication for Patients With Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy.

Background: Sudden cardiac death (SCD) risk stratification in hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) currently relies on arrhythmic burden quantification by 24 or 48-hour Holter monitoring. Whether this approach adequately captures arrhythmic burden, compared with longer-term continuous monitoring, is unclear. We sought to assess the long-term incidence of nonsustained ventricular tachycardia (NSVT) in HCM patients at low or moderate SCD risk, using implantable cardiac monitors (ICMs) paired with a novel Bluetooth-enabled 2-way communication platform.

Plaque progression: Where, why, and how fast? A review of what we have learned from the analysis of patient data from the PARADIGM registry.

Ischemic heart disease is the most common cause of mortality worldwide. The pathophysiology of myocardial infarction relates to temporal changes of atherosclerotic plaque culminating in plaque rupture, erosion or hemorrhage and the subsequent thrombotic response. Coronary computed tomographic angiography (CCTA) provides the ability to visualize and quantify plaque, and plaque progression can be measured on a per-patient basis by comparing findings of serial CCTA.

Association of Tube Voltage With Plaque Composition on Coronary CT Angiography: Results From PARADIGM Registry.

Objectives: This study sought to investigate the impact of low tube voltage scanning heterogeneity of coronary luminal attenuation on plaque quantification and characterization with coronary computed tomography angiography (CCTA).

Background: The impact of low tube voltage and coronary luminal attenuation on quantitative coronary plaque remains uncertain.

Methods: A total of 1,236 consecutive patients (age: 60 ± 9 years; 41% female) who underwent serial CCTA at an interval of ≥2 years were included from an international registry.

Virtual monochromatic reconstructions of dual energy CT in abdominal trauma: optimization of energy level improves pancreas laceration conspicuity and diagnostic confidence.

Purpose: Pancreatic injury is associated with significant morbidity and mortality. Pancreatic lacerations can be challenging to identify as the pancreas is not scanned at peak enhancement in most trauma CT protocols. This study qualitatively and quantitively assessed pancreatic lacerations with virtual monoenergetic dual-energy CT (DE CT) to establish an optimal energy level for visualization of pancreatic lacerations.

Postmortem CT in Trauma: An Overview.

As forensic radiology sees an exponential gain in popularity, postmortem computed tomography (PMCT) is increasingly being used in the appropriate setting, either as preautopsy guidance or as part of complementary virtual autopsy protocol. Many articles have expounded the value it adds to forensic pathology in the general setting and the appropriate technical parameters to be used for optimum benefit. We aim to put forth a concise review on the role of PMCT specifically in trauma and the pitfalls to be aware of.

Minor Blunt Thoracic Trauma in the Emergency Department: Sensitivity and Specificity of Chest Ultralow-Dose Computed Tomography Compared With Conventional Radiography.

Study Objective: To evaluate the diagnostic performance of chest ultralow-dose computed tomography (CT) compared with chest radiograph for minor blunt thoracic trauma.

Methods: One hundred sixty patients with minor blunt thoracic trauma were evaluated first by chest radiograph and subsequently with a double-acquisition nonenhanced chest CT protocol: reference CT and ultralow-dose CT with iterative reconstruction. Two study radiologists independently assessed injuries with a structured report and subjective image quality and calculated certainty of diagnostic confidence level.

Ultrasound-guided vacuum-assisted breast biopsy with a small-caliber device: A multicenter consecutive study of 162 biopsied lesions.

Objective: In this study, we aimed to analyze technical and diagnostic potential, and safety of the small-caliber vacuum-assisted biopsy (SCVAB) device in a multicenter consecutive study taking into consideration the type and location of breast lesion.

Methods: We collected data from 5 breast imaging centers where radiologists used the SCVAB device for biopsies in 162 patients. We analyzed the conditions for using the SCVAB device according to the characteristics of the lesions, the volume of excision, and the analyzability obtained by biopsy samples.

Value of ultra-low-dose chest CT with iterative reconstruction for selected emergency room patients with acute dyspnea.

Objective: To compare the diagnostic confidence between low-dose computed-tomography (LDCT) and ultra-low-dose CT (ULDCT) of the chest on a single source CT system (SSCT) for patients with acute dyspnoea.

Materials And Methods: One hundred thirty-three consecutive dyspnoeic patients referred from the emergency room (ER) were selected to undergo two sequential non-enhanced chest CT acquisitions: LDCT first acquisition (100kVp and 60mAs), followed by ULDCT (100kVp±20 and 10mAs). Images were reconstructed with sinogram affirmed reconstruction (SAFIRE).