Primary Care Nurse Practitioner Wage Differences by Employment Setting

Background: Previous studies reported that primary care nurse practitioners working in primary care settings may earn less than those working in specialty care settings. However, few studies have examined why such wage difference exists.Purpose: This study used human capital theory to determine the degree to which the wage differences between dingsPCNPs working in primary care versus specialty care settings is driven by the differences in PCNPs’ characteristics. Feasible generalized least squares regression was used to examine the wage differences for PCNPs working in primary care and specialty care settings.Methods: A cross-sectional, secondary data analysis was conducted using the restricted file of 2012 National Sample Survey of Nurse Practitioners.Findings: Oaxaca-Blinder decomposition technique was used to explore the factors contributing to wage differences.The results suggested that hourly wages of PCNPs working in primary care settings were, on average, 7.1% lower than PCNPs working in specialty care settings, holding PCNPs’ socio-demographic, human capital, and employment characteristics constant. Approximately 4% of this wage difference was explained by PCNPs’ characteristics; but 96% of these differences were due to unexplained factors.Discussion: A large, unexplained wage difference exists between PCNPs working in primary care and specialty care settings.     

Choosing wisely in emergency medicine: Early results and insights from the ACEP emergency quality network (E-QUAL)

PurposeTo characterize performance among ED sites participating in the Emergency Quality Network (E-QUAL) Avoidable Imaging Initiative for clinical targets on the American College of Emergency Physicians Choosing Wisely list.MethodsThis was an observational study of quality improvement (QI) data collected from hospital-based ED sites in 2017–2018. Participating EDs reported imaging utilization rates (UR) and common QI practices for three Choosing Wisely targets: Atraumatic Low Back Pain, Syncope, or Minor Head Injury.Results305 ED sites participated in the initiative. Among all ED sites, the mean imaging UR for Atraumatic Low Back Pain was 34.7% (IQR 26.3%–42.6%) for XR, 19.1% (IQR 11.4%–24.9%) for CT, and 0.09% (IQR 0%–0.9%) for MRI. The mean CT UR for Syncope was 50.0% (IQR 38.0%–61.4%). The mean CT UR for Minor Head Injury was 72.6% (IQR 65.6%–81.7%). ED sites with sustained participation showed significant decreases in CT UR in 2017 compared to 2018 for Syncope (56.4% vs 48.0%; 95% CI: −12.7%, −4.1%) and Minor Head Injury (76.3% vs 72.1%; 95% CI: −7.3%, −1.1%). There was no significant change in imaging UR for Atraumatic Back Pain for XR (36.0% vs 33.3%; 95% CI: −5.9%, −0;5%), CT (20.1% vs 17.7%; 95% CI: −5.1%, −0.4%) or MRI (0.8% vs 0.7%, 95% CI: −0.4%, −0.3%).ConclusionsEarly data from the E-QUAL Avoidable Imaging Initiative suggests QI interventions could potentially improve imaging stewardship and reduce low-value care. Further efforts to translate the Choosing Wisely recommendations into practice should promote data-driven benchmarking and learning collaboratives to achieve sustained practice improvement.     

比较两种低剂量CT迭代重建法与常规剂量滤波反投影重建法的图像质量

目的 对比低剂量腹部和盆腔增强扫描自适应统计迭代重建（ASIR）和基于模型的迭代重建（MBIR）与常规剂量下传统的滤波反投影（FBP）重建的图像质量和剂量减低率。方法 31例患者接受腹部和盆腔增强常规剂量CT扫描、FBP重建;复查时,接受增强低剂量扫描、40%ASIR和MBIR。由2名医师通过锐利度、噪声、伪影和诊断接受度对图像进行评分,并测量噪声值和CT值,计算SNR。记录每例患者每次检查的剂量长度乘积（DLP）和CT剂量指数（CTDIvol）,计算剂量减低率。结果 低剂量扫描的DLP值和CTDI值分别为（328.95±206.35）mGy/cm和（7.96±4.30）mGy,而常规剂量FBP重建的DLP值和CTDI分别为（689.27±339.63） mGy/cm和（16.81±7.19） mGy。对于腹部和盆腔脏器,低剂量MBIR图像比低剂量40%ASIR图像和常规剂量FBP图像有更低噪声值和更高SNR （P均<0.0167）。低剂量40%ASIR图像和常规剂量FBP图像的客观评价结果相似（P>0.0167）。MBIR和40%ASIR可以提高图像的密度分辨力,降低硬化伪影,且MBIR比40%ASIR图像有更低噪声和伪影,主观评价结果更佳。结论 在保证图像质量的前提下,相比常规剂量扫描、FBP重建,低剂量扫描MBIR和ASIR可以明显降低扫描剂量;相比ASIR法,MBIR法能提供更佳图像质量,具有进一步降低扫描剂量的潜力。     

Assessing Appropriateness of CT and MRI Referrals for Headache and Lumbar: A Canadian Perspective on Patient-Centered Referrals

BackgroundInappropriate diagnostic imaging is a burgeoning problem within the Canadian healthcare system and imposes considerable burdens to efficiency and timeliness of care. Low back pain and headaches affect an immense portion of the general population and have become exceedingly common complaints from patients seeking diagnostic imaging from primary care physicians.MethodsA total of 399 magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and computed tomography (CT) requisitions for lumbar and head scans were reviewed and assessed for appropriateness in concordance with published Choosing Wisely guidelines for head and lumbar diagnostic imaging. Requisitions were classified as appropriate, inappropriate, or incomplete. Baseline data collection showed 51.6% appropriateness, 12.0% inappropriateness, and 36.3% incompleteness. New patient-centered referral forms containing evidence-based red flags by Choosing Wisely Canada were created for head and lumbar MRI and CT. The aim was to increase awareness and consideration of the guidelines during the referral process. The new referrals were distributed among 149 local family physicians in addition to information pamphlets summarizing the need to reduce unnecessary diagnostic imaging for head and lower back pain.Results and conclusionAfter collection and review of 251 requisitions in the postintervention period, incomplete referrals dropped from 36.3% to 13.15%. Despite insignificant changes in appropriateness, it is promising that the intervention educated local physicians on the information required to complete the CT or MRI forms as further evidence is provided showing the efficacy of the patient-centered referrals. This study provides insight on the importance of appropriate diagnostic imaging and what methods can be used at the primary care level.     

Can language enhance physical therapists’ willingness to follow Choosing Wisely recommendations? A best-worst scaling study

BackgroundChoosing Wisely recommendations could reduce physical therapists’ use of low-value care.ObjectiveTo investigate whether language influences physical therapists’ willingness to follow the Australian Physiotherapy Association's (APA) Choosing Wisely recommendations.DesignBest-worst Scaling surveyMethodsThe six original APA Choosing Wisely recommendations were modified based on four language characteristics (level of detail, strength- qualified/unqualified, framing, and alternatives to low-value care) to create 60 recommendations. Physical therapists were randomised to a block of seven choice tasks, which included four recommendations. Participants indicated which recommendation they were most and least willing to follow. A multinomial logistic regression model was used to create normalised (0=least preferred; 10=most preferred) and marginal preference scores.Results215 physical therapists (48.5% of 443 who started the survey) completed the survey. Participants' mean age (SD) was 38.7 (10.6) and 47.9% were female. Physical therapists were more willing to follow recommendations with more detail (marginal preference score of 1.1) or that provided alternatives to low-value care (1.3) and less willing to follow recommendations with negative framing (−1.3). The use of qualified (‘don't routinely’) language (vs. unqualified - ‘don't’) did not affect willingness. Physical therapists were more willing to follow recommendations to avoid imaging for non-specific low back pain (3.9) and electrotherapy for low back pain (3.8) vs. recommendation to avoid incentive spirometry after upper abdominal and cardiac surgery.ConclusionPhysical therapists were more willing to follow recommendations that provided more detail, alternatives to low-value care, and were positively framed. These findings can inform the development of future Choosing Wisely recommendations and could help reduce low-value physical therapy.     

肾上腺肿瘤的CT、MRI诊断

目的探讨和比较CT、MRI对肾上腺肿瘤的诊断及鉴别诊断价值.方法回顾性分析204例经手术病理及临床证实的肾上腺肿瘤的CT、MRI表现.结果 CT、MRI对肾上腺肿瘤定位、定性(区分良、恶性肿瘤)及判断肿瘤组织学类型的准确性分别为94.02%、91.85%、89.13%和98.15%、95.15%、90.74%.CT像素矩阵图上,25例(75.76%)肾上腺腺瘤内有轻度负CT值区域,非腺瘤无此征象.13例腺瘤在MRI反相位(OP)图像上的信号强度(SI)都有明显下降,SI指数平均(52.65±18.01)%;非腺瘤的信号强度无明显下降.结论结合临床表现和生化检查,CT、MRI能诊断大部分肾上腺肿瘤,两者的诊断价值相似,MRI对较大肿瘤的定位、定性及判断肿瘤组织学类型有优越性.     

双能CT单能谱70keV图像与常规CT120kVp图像的等效性

目的 探讨双能CT单能谱70 keV图像与常规CT 120 kVp图像的等效性。方法 采用CTU-41型头颈躯干仿真体模,行DECT虚拟单能谱和常规CT成像,联合原始数据迭代重建法SAFIRE(3)和FBP重建算法得到70 keV/FBP、70 keV/SAFIRE(3)、120 kVp/FBP、120 kVp/SAFIRE(3)共4组图像,按部位采用配对t检验比较各组织和器官CT值和噪声。结果 丘脑、颅骨外空气、胆囊、肝实质、脾脏、前列腺在70 keV与120 kVp图像上CT值的差异均无统计学意义(P均>0.0083);70 keV图像上侧脑室、小脑、胸腺、心脏、肺、胃泡和直肠肠管内空气的CT值低于120 kVp 图像,下颌骨、胸椎、腰椎、股骨头中央部70 keV图像CT值高于120 kVp 图像,差异均有统计学意义(P<0.006);SAFIRE(3)与FBP算法的70 keV单能谱图像、120 kVp 图像CT值的差异无统计学意义(P均>0.0083)。70 keV图像与120 kVp图像噪声的差异无统计学意义(P均>0.0083);SAFIRE(3)算法单能谱70 keV图像、常规CT 120kVp图像与其FBP重建算法相比较,噪声降低约(25.29±9.39)%和(27.93±8.39)%(P均<0.0083)。结论 70 keV与120 kVp图像的CT值在部分组织器官不等效; 70 keV 与120 kVp图像的噪声水平无明显差异;迭代算法对DECT单能谱成像和常规CT成像均能明显降低图像噪声,提高图像质量。     

滑膜肉瘤CT及MRI特征

目的 探讨滑膜肉瘤CT及MRI特征。方法 回顾性分析18例经手术病理证实的滑膜肉瘤患者的CT （16例）和MRI（10例）特征。结果 14例邻近关节,4例远离关节。18例中,8例发生转移。CT表现：16例肿瘤边界均清晰,其中2例（2/16,12.50%）见瘤周水肿;9例（9/16,56.25%）密度均匀,7例（7/16,43.75%）密度不均,肿瘤实性成分呈等或稍低密度;6例（6/16,37.50%）肿瘤内见钙化;3例（3/3,100%）增强扫描肿瘤轻度强化。MRI：10例肿瘤边界均清晰、见瘤周水肿;8例（8/10,80.00%）T1WI呈等信号,2例（2/10,20.00%）等信号内散在稍高信号;10例（10/10,100%）T2WI均呈高低混杂信号,7例（7/10,70.00%）见“三信号征”;9例（9/10,90.00%）见线状低信号分隔。结论 滑膜肉瘤CT和MRI表现具有一定特征性,有助于术前诊断。     

Cardiac motion and strain detection using 4D CT images: comparison with tagged MRI,and echocardiography

Ischemic heart disease is a leading cause of death in the modern world. Coronary obstruction is the basis for ischemic heart disease and leads to decreased cardiac supply and decreased contractility of the myocardium. Recently, high quality 4D computed tomography (CT) has become available for cardiac imaging and provides the clinician with high quality anatomical images. In this article, a new method is proposed to detect 3D motion and strain from 4D cardiac CT images by constraining intensity constancy, myocardial volume changes and motion smoothness assumptions. The proposed method is validated by using manual tracking of the cardiac CT landmarks. The average error for the manual tracking, by an expert, was 2.9 ± 0.9 mm. As an additional validation, the cardiac CT strain values were compared to the cardiac tagged magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and 2D B-mode echocardiography strain values of the same patients. The correlation ratio was significantly high for CT and tagged MRI radial strain values (r = 0.76, 95 % confidence interval, P < 0.001). The correlation ratio was meaningful for CT and echocardiography radial strain values as well (r = 0.67, 95 % confidence interval, P < 0.001). The correlation ratio for CT and tagged MRI circumferential strain values was acceptable (r = 0.73, 95 % confidence interval, P < 0.001), while the correlation ratio for CT and echocardiography circumferential strain values was good as well (r = 0.61, 95 % confidence interval, P < 0.001). In general, motion and strain values computed from cardiac CT images agree with motion and strain values computed from tagged MRI and echocardiography images.     

Trends in advanced imaging and hospitalization for emergency department syncope care before and after ACEP clinical policy

ObjectivesTo describe recent trends in advanced imaging and hospitalization of emergency department (ED) syncope patients, both considered “low-value”, and examine trend changes before and after the publication of American College Emergency Physician (ACEP) syncope guidelines in 2007, compared to conditions that had no changes in guideline recommendations.MethodsWe analyzed 2002–2015 National Hospital Ambulatory Medical Care Survey data using an interrupted-time series with comparison series design. The primary outcomes were advanced imaging among ED visits with principal diagnosis of syncope and headache and hospitalization for ED visits with principal diagnosis of syncope, chest pain, dysrhythmia, and pneumonia. We adjusted annual imaging and hospitalization rates using survey-weighted multivariable logistic regression, controlling for demographic and visit characteristics. Using adjusted outcomes as datapoints, we compared linear trends and trend changes of annual imaging and hospitalization rates before and after 2007 with aggregate-level multivariable linear regression.ResultsFrom 2002 to 2007, advanced imaging rates for syncope increased from 27.2% to 42.1% but had no significant trend after 2007 (trend change: ?3.1%; 95%CI ?4.7, ?1.6). Hospitalization rates remained at approximately 37% from 2002 to 2007 but declined to 25.7% by 2015 (trend change: ?2.2%; 95%CI ?3.0, ?1.4). Similar trend changes occurred among control conditions versus syncope, including advanced imaging for headache (difference in trend change: ?0.6%; 95%CI ?2.8, 1.6) and hospitalizations for chest pain, dysrhythmia, and pneumonia (differences in trend changes: 0.1% [95%CI ?1.9, 2.0]; ?0.9% [95%CI ?3.1, 1.3]; and ?1.2% [95%CI ?5.3, 2.9], respectively).ConclusionsBefore and after the release of 2007 ACEP syncope guidelines, trends in advanced imaging and hospitalization for ED syncope visits had similar changes compared to control conditions. Changes in syncope care may, therefore, reflect broader practice shifts rather than a direct association with the 2007 ACEP guideline. Moreover, utilization of advanced imaging remains prevalent. To reduce low-value care, policymakers should augment society guidelines with additional policy changes such as reportable quality measures.     

3.0T MRI和能谱CT对食管癌术前分期的比较

目的 探讨3.0T MRI及能谱CT在食管癌术前T、N分期中的应用价值。方法 对经病理证实的33例食管癌患者于术前行3.0T MR及能谱CT检查。MR行常规平扫(T2W、T2W脂肪抑制)、DWI及屏气快速三维扰相梯度回波(LAVA-Flex)平扫+三期增强扫描。CT行常规平扫及能谱模式动、静脉期增强扫描。2名高年资影像科医师双盲法对CT及MRI图像分别进行T、N分期,以术后病理为金标准,对照分析T、N分期的结果。结果 MRI和能谱CT诊断T分期的敏感度及特异度分别为68.42%(13/19)、85.71%(12/14)和78.95%(15/19)、42.86%(6/14)。MRI和能谱CT诊断N分期的敏感度及特异度分别为86.67%(13/15)、55.56%(10/18)和93.33%(14/15)、61.11%(11/18)。对于识别T₃及T₄期肿瘤,MRI的准确率(12/14,85.71%)明显高于CT(5/14,35.71%,P=0.02),而二者判断食管癌术前N分期的整体准确率差异无统计学意义[MRI:54.55%(18/33);CT:57.58%(19/33),P=1.00]。结论 3.0T MRI对食管管壁分层结构的显示优于能谱CT,而能谱CT判断N分期准确率有优势,二者结合有助更准确地判断食管癌术前T、N分期。     

多排CT诊断肥厚型心肌病：与MRI对照

目的 观察多排CT（MDCT）评价肥厚型心肌病（HCM）患者的心脏形态、功能和心肌纤维化等的准确性。方法 对临床诊断为HCM的60例患者行CT动脉期、延迟期扫描及心脏MR形态、延迟强化检查。比较二者在左心室室壁厚度、射血分数（EF）、每搏输出量（SV）、左心室心肌质量（LVM）、心输出量（CO）、心脏指数（CI）、舒张末期左心室容积（EDV）、收缩末期左心室容积（ESV）、延迟强化病灶定性及定量诊断方面的异同。结果 60例患者共1020个心肌节段,CT与MRI所测左心室室壁厚度的相关性好（r=0.895,P<0.001）,且CT测量的心功能参数均与MRI结果呈正相关。延迟增强检查证实CT与MR在检出心肌纤维化病灶方面具有高度相关性（r=0.98,P<0.01）。结论 心脏CT检查可提供HCM患者心肌冠状动脉的形态及功能信息。     

双源CT双能量扫描显示胃癌的图像质量及迭代重建算法降低图像噪声的能力

目的评价不同管电压条件下双源CT(DECT)双能量扫描显示胃癌的图像质量及迭代重建成像(IRIS)技术降低图像噪声的能力。方法采用双源CT双能模式对60例经胃镜活检证实的胃癌患者行上腹平扫及双期增强扫描,获取不同管电压下的图像及融合图像;分别以FBP算法和IRIS算法重建图像,对不同算法下的CT值的差值和SNR进行统计学分析。结果动脉期和静脉期FBP-80kVp与FBP-DE图像中,胃癌与正常胃壁CT值差异有统计学意义(Z=-2.02、-2.29,P=0.04、0.02)。动脉期和静脉期FBP-80kVp与IRIS-80kVp图像的胃癌噪声、肝脏噪声差异均有统计学意义(P均<0.01)。动脉期FBP融合图像(FBP-DE)与IRIS-80kVp图像中的肝脏SNR差异无统计学意义(Z=-0.33,P=0.75),而动脉期FBP-DE与IRIS-80kVp图像中的胃癌SNR和静脉期胃癌及肝脏SNR差异均有统计学意义(P均<0.01)。结论 80kVp图像显示胃癌与正常胃壁间的CT值差异较好,有利于显示病变;利用IRIS技术可降低图像噪声,低电压与IRIS重建相结合可提高图像SNR。     

Application value analysis of magnetic resonance imaging and computed tomography in the diagnosis of intracranial infection after craniocerebral surgery

BACKGROUNDIntracranial infection is a common clinical disease. Computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) have certain sensitivity and have good diagnostic efficacy.AIMTo study the application value of MRI and CT in the diagnosis of intracranial infection after craniocerebral surgery. METHODSWe selected 82 patients who underwent craniocerebral surgery (including 40 patients with intracranial infection and 42 patients without infection) during the period from April 2016 to June 2019 in our hospital. All 82 patients received CT and MRI examinations, and their clinical data were reviewed. A retrospective analysis was performed, and the coincidence rate of positive diagnosis and the overall diagnosis coincidence rate of different pathogenic infection types were measured with the two examination methods. The diagnostic sensitivity and specificity as well as the positive and negative predictive values of the two examination methods were compared.RESULTSFor all types of pathogenic infections (Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus hemolyticus, Staphylococcus epidermidis, and others), MRI scans had higher positive diagnostic coincidence rates than CT scans; the overall diagnostic coincidence rate, sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, and negative predictive values were significantly higher with MRI examinations than with CT examinations, and the differences were statistically significant (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONMRI examination can accurately diagnose intracranial infection after clinical craniocerebral surgery. Compared with CT, MRI had higher diagnostic efficiency. The diagnostic sensitivity and specificity, the diagnostic coincidence rate, and the positive and negative predictive values were significantly higher with MRI than with conventional CT, which can be actively promoted.     

粒细胞肉瘤影像学特征

目的观察粒细胞肉瘤(GS)的影像学特征。方法回顾性分析27例经病理证实的GS患者的影像学资料,11例接受CT检查,其中4例接受增强扫描;9例接受MR平扫,其中7例接受动态增强扫描;6例接受超声检查;4例接受FDG PET/CT检查。结果 27例GS中,14例为白血病性GS,5例孤立性GS,8例未知分型;15例多发,12例单发,共计40个病灶,其中软组织GS 13个,淋巴结GS 12个,胸腹膜及胃肠道GS 5个,生殖系统GS 4个,中枢神经系统GS 3个,骨及骨膜GS 3个。40个病灶中,29个形态不规则,27个边界不清;CT扫描11例,呈等或略低密度,病灶中心CT值均较外周稍低,4例增强后均明显强化;MR扫描9例,DWI显示均明显弥散受限,8例呈等T1等T2信号,T2WI上病灶中心信号强度较外周稍低,7例动态增强中6例呈速升缓降型。PET/CT检查4例,病灶均代谢活跃,2例见全身骨髓弥漫性代谢活跃;超声检查6例,均呈低回声,2例可见血流信号。结论 GS的影像学表现具有一定特征性,结合临床病史有助于做出初步诊断。     

黏液性脂肪肉瘤的CT、MRI表现

目的 探讨黏液性脂肪肉瘤的CT、MRI表现特征。 方法 回顾性分析经手术病理证实的24例黏液性脂肪肉瘤的CT、MRI表现特点。18例术前接受CT平扫,其中9例同时接受增强扫描;6例接受MR平扫,其中5例同时接受增强检查。 结果 24例黏液性脂肪肉瘤均表现为单发结节或肿块;发生于下肢(n=12)尤其大腿(n=9)最为多见,其次是腹膜后(n=7);发生于四肢的14例患者中,病变位于肌间隙10例(n=10),肌肉内2例(n=2),皮下脂肪层内2例(n=2);15例肿瘤形态规则,边界尚清,9例形态不规则,边界不光整,可见分叶等征象;病灶最大径2.0~38.0 cm,平均(12.5±8.0)cm。18例CT平扫CT值11.0~30.0 HU,平均(19.4±6.8)HU;6例MR平扫T1WI病变与肌肉相比以等或稍低信号为主,2例内见云絮状高信号;4例T2WI病变与皮下脂肪相比以明显高信号为主,内有稍高信号区和(或)线样低信号分隔,2例呈均匀显著高信号;14例CT和MR增强后病变均表现为明显不均匀强化;CT强化最显著区CT值35.0~112.0 HU,平均(62.7±27.0)HU。 结论 黏液性脂肪肉瘤的CT、MRI表现有一定特征,CT平扫多为囊样低密度影,MRI以T1WI低信号、T2WI显著高信号为主,T2WI可伴稍高信号区和(或)线样低信号分隔,增强后多呈显著不均匀强化。     

Preoperative assessment of local tumor extent in advanced rectal cancer: CT or high-resolution MRI?

Background: We compared high-resolution magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) with computed tomography (CT) in the assessment of tumor infiltration in surrounding structures for locally advanced primary and recurrent rectal cancer. Methods: Twenty-six patients with operable, locally advanced rectal cancer (15 recurrent and 11 primary) were evaluated with conventional pelvic CT and 1.5-T high-resolution MRI with a quadrature phased-array coil. The images were scored for invasion of nine neighboring pelvic structures, and the results were compared with surgical and histologic findings. Results: A total of 234 structures in 26 patients was evaluated for tumor invasion. For MRI the, sensitivity was 97% and the specificity 98%; for CT, the sensitivity was 70% and the specificity was 85%. The difference in performance was statistically significant (p < 0.001). The failure most frequently made on CT was the false-positive prediction of pelvic floor and piriform muscle invasion (14), whereas MRI showed only four false-positive predictions. MRI correctly predicted all four cases of sacral bone invasion, three of which were missed by CT. MRI was accurate in 20 patients (80%) and CT in only five patients (19%). Conclusion: High-resolution MRI using a quadrature phased-array coil is highly accurate and superior to CT in predicting tumor infiltration in surrounding structures for locally advanced primary or recurrent rectal cancer and is recommended in the preoperative work-up of these tumors. Received: 21 September 1999/Revision accepted: 26 January 2000     

高血压脑病的影像学分析

目的 探讨高血压脑病(HE)的CT和MRI特点. 方法 回顾性分析65例临床诊断为HE患者的影像学资料,其中38例接受CT检查,5例接受MR检查,22例同时接受CT和MR检查. 结果 20例患者未发现异常;45例患者发现异常,其中26例表现为典型的顶枕部水肿,19例为弥漫性水肿. 结论 HE患者的头部CT、MRI可表现为无明显异常改变或典型的顶枕叶水肿及弥漫性脑水肿.CT、MR头部扫描及定期复查对HE的诊断和疗效评价具有重要意义.     

Early colonoscopy and urgent contrast enhanced computed tomography for colonic diverticular bleeding reduces risk of rebleeding

BACKGROUNDColonoscopy within 24 h of hospital admission for colonic diverticular bleeding (CDB) is recommended. However, little is known about rates of rebleeding within 30 d. We posited that a group of patients who underwent contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CT) within 4 h of the last hematochezia and colonoscopy within 24 h would experience fewer incidences of rebleeding.AIMTo evaluate the outcomes of early colonoscopy for CDB among different groups of patients.METHODSData from 182 patients with CDB who underwent contrast-enhanced CT and colonoscopy between January 2011 and December 2018 at the study site were retrospectively reviewed. Patients were divided into groups based on the timing of the CT imaging, within or at 4 h were defined as urgent CTs (n = 100) and those performed after 4 h were defined as elective CTs (n = 82). Main outcomes included rebleeding within 30 d and the identification of stigmata of recent hemorrhage (SRH) (i.e., active bleeding, non-bleeding visible vessels, or adherent clots).RESULTSIn total, 182 patients (126 men and 56 women) with median ages of 68.6 (range, 37-92) and 73.7 (range, 48-93) years, respectively, underwent CT imaging and colonoscopy within 24 h of the last hematochezia. Patients for whom CT was performed within 4 h of the last hematochezia were included in the urgent CT group (n = 100) and patients for whom CT was performed after 4 h were included in the elective CT group (n = 82). SRH were identified in 35.0% (35/100) of the urgent CT cases and 7.3% (6/82) of the elective CT cases (P < 0.01). Among all patients with extravasation-positive images on CT, SRH was identified in 31 out of 47 patients (66.0%) in the urgent CT group and 4 out of 20 patients (20.0%) in the elective CT group (P < 0.01). Furthermore, rates of rebleeding within 30 d were significantly improved in the urgent CT and extravasation-positive cases (P < 0.05). Results from the evaluation of early colonoscopy did not show a difference in the ability to detect SRH identification or rebleeding rates. Only cases by urgent CT reduced risk of rebleeding due to the evidence of active bleeding on the image.CONCLUSIONTo improve rates of rebleeding, colonoscopy is recommended within 24 h in patients with extravasation-positive CT images within 4 h of the last hema-tochezia. Otherwise, elective colonoscopy can be performed.