Computed Tomography Imaging (computed + tomography_imaging)

Distribution by Scientific Domains


Selected Abstracts


Role of Computed Tomography Imaging in Predicting Response of Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma to Definitive Radiation Therapy

THE LARYNGOSCOPE, Issue 12 2006
Xuejun Ma MD
Abstract Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate the role of posttreatment computed tomography (CT) scans in assessing response of nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) to definitive radiotherapy. Material and Methods: Between March 1999 and October 2003, a total of 132 consecutive patients with newly diagnosed NPC were studied. Sixty-one patients with AJCC stage I or II NPC were treated with radiation only; 71 patients with stage III or IV disease but no evidence of distant metastasis were treated with concurrent chemoradiotherapy. All patients received CT scans of the head and neck, nasopharyngoscopy, and biopsies of primary sites at 4 to 6 months after completion of radiotherapy. Clinical response of the primary tumor as determined by comparison of pre- and posttreatment CT scans was correlated to pathology results. Results: The median follow-up time for all patients was 25 months (range, 9,40 months). Radiologic progression was seen in five patients, stable disease in 18 patients, and radiographic partial (rPR) and complete responses (rCR) were seen in 67 and 42 patients, respectively, at 4 to 6 months of follow up. Biopsies of the nasopharynx were positive in six patients. For patients with rCR, two patients (4.8%) had positive biopsies. Four patients with residual disease (rPR, stable, or progressive disease) after treatment had positive biopsies. The positive and negative predictive values, sensitivity, and specificity of CT scans in evaluating the NPC response to radiotherapy were 0.04, 0.95, 0.67, and 0.32, respectively. Conclusions: Pathologic CR for nasopharyngeal carcinoma is usually evident at 4 to 6 months after definitive radiotherapy; however, there is no correlation between pathologic and radiographic response. Although longer follow up is required to define the relationship between radiographic and pathologic responses with respect to disease control, we find CT scan at 4 to 6 months after radiotherapy to be neither sensitive nor specific in predicting the response of primary NPC to radiotherapy. [source]


Purely vertical upbeat nystagmus in bilateral posterior canal benign paroxysmal positional vertigo: A case report

THE LARYNGOSCOPE, Issue 1 2010
Jason A. Beyea MD
Abstract Vertical nystagmus occurs in patients with central vestibular system pathology. Lesions of the pons, medulla, and cerebellum lead to vertical nystagmus. Given this association, vertical nystagmus is considered pathognomonic in nature. We present a case of benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV) with positive Dix-Hallpike bilaterally, but also with upbeat purely vertical nystagmus in the straight back head hanging position. Computed tomography imaging of the typically pathologic structures in vertical nystagmus (brainstem/posterior fossa) revealed normal anatomy. We propose this case as an instance of peripheral-associated purely vertical nystagmus without central pathology, while building on our previous understanding of BPPV physiology. Laryngoscope, 2010 [source]


Extradural haematoma secondary to brown snake (Pseudonaja species) envenomation

AUSTRALIAN VETERINARY JOURNAL, Issue 4 2009
RKC Ong
A 4-year-old Siberian Husky dog was treated with brown snake antivenom by his regular veterinarian after a witnessed episode of brown snake envenomation. The dog was discharged 5 hours post presentation despite an ongoing coagulopathy. The dog was presented to the emergency centre 2 hours later because the owner believed the dog to be in pain. Initial examination revealed an ambulatory but neurologically normal patient with thoracolumbar pain and laboratory evidence of a coagulopathy. Despite correction of the coagulopathy, the signs progressed to bilateral hind limb paresis after approximately 3 hours of hospitalisation, and continued to deteriorate over the next 56 hours to loss of deep pain perception in the right hind limb. Computed tomography imaging identified the presence of an extradural haematoma which was subsequently removed via a hemilaminectomy. Surgical decompression was successful in treating the spinal compression and the dog recovered with minimal complications. To our knowledge this is the first report of extradural haematoma secondary to coagulopathy induced by brown snake envenomation. [source]


Analysis of the mechanical behavior of a titanium scaffold with a repeating unit-cell substructure

JOURNAL OF BIOMEDICAL MATERIALS RESEARCH, Issue 2 2009
Garrett Ryan
Abstract Titanium scaffolds with controlled microarchitecture have been developed for load bearing orthopedic applications. The controlled microarchitecture refers to a repeating array of unit-cells, composed of sintered titanium powder, which make up the scaffold structure. The objective of this current research was to characterize the mechanical performance of three scaffolds with increasing porosity, using finite element analysis (FEA) and to compare the results with experimental data. Scaffolds were scanned using microcomputed tomography and FEA models were generated from the resulting computer models. Macroscale and unit-cell models of the scaffolds were created. The material properties of the sintered titanium powders were first evaluated in mechanical tests and the data used in the FEA. The macroscale and unit-cell FEA models proved to be a good predictor of Young's modulus and yield strength. Although macroscale models showed similar failure patterns and an expected trend in UCS, strain at UCS did not compare well with experimental data. Since a rapid prototyping method was used to create the scaffolds, the original CAD geometries of the scaffold were also evaluated using FEA but they did not reflect the mechanical properties of the physical scaffolds. This indicates that at present, determining the actual geometry of the scaffold through computed tomography imaging is important. Finally, a fatigue analysis was performed on the scaffold to simulate the loading conditions it would experience as a spinal interbody fusion device. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part B: Appl Biomater 2009 [source]


Midazolam as a sole sedative for computed tomography imaging in pediatric patients

PEDIATRIC ANESTHESIA, Issue 9 2009
RANJU SINGH MD
Summary Objective:, To evaluate the efficacy and adverse effects of i.v. midazolam as a sole agent for sedation in children for computed tomography (CT) imaging. Materials and Methods:, Prospective clinical trial in which 516 children under ASA classification II,IV (273 boys and 243 girls) in the age group of 6 months to 6 years for elective CT scan were enrolled over a 17-month period. Patients were administered i.v. midazolam 0.2 mg·kg,1 and further boluses of 0.1 mg·kg,1 (total 0.5 mg·kg,1) if required. Measurements included induction time, efficacy, side effects, complications, and degree of sedation. Sedation was graded on the basis of Ramsay sedation score (RSS) as over sedated (RSS 5,6), adequately sedated (AS, RSS 3,4), under sedated (RSS 1,2), or failed if the procedure could not be completed or another agent had to be administered. Results:, Of the 516 procedures, 483 brains, 16 chests, and 17 abdomens were scanned with a mean duration of 4.75 ± 1.75 min with a mean dose of 0.212 mg·kg,1 of i.v. midazolam. Four hundred and sixty-five (90.12%) patients were AS in 5.9 ± 0.7 min while 40 (7.75%) patients required additional boluses. Of these 40 patients, 24 (4.65%) required a single bolus, 12 (2.32%) required two boluses, whereas the remaining four (0.78%) required three boluses. In 11 (2.13%; P < 0.0001) patients, the scan could not be completed satisfactorily. Side effects were seen in 46 (9.11%) patients in the form of desaturation, hiccups (seven patients, 1.38%), and agitation (four patients, 0.79%). Desaturation (SpO2 90,95%) was seen in 35 (6.93%) patients, which was corrected by topical application of oxygen. None of the patients exhibited any complications such as pulmonary aspiration or need to maintain airway. The patients were kept under observation for 1 h after the procedure. Conclusion:, The level of sedation achieved in children with midazolam 0.2 mg·kg,1 is adequate for imaging with minimal side effects, no airway complications, and fast recovery. It can be recommended as the sole agent for sedation in pediatric patients for CT imaging. [source]