Checklist: Neck computed tomography in non-traumatic emergencies.

Patients attending the emergency department (ED) with cervical inflammatory/infectious symptoms or presenting masses that may involve the aerodigestive tract or vascular structures require a contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CT) scan of the neck. Its radiological interpretation is hampered by the anatomical complexity and pathophysiological interrelationship between the different component systems in a relatively small area. Recent studies propose a systematic evaluation of the cervical structures, using a 7-item checklist, to correctly identify the pathology and detect incidental findings that may interfere with patient management. As a conclusion, the aim of this paper is to review CT findings in non-traumatic pathology of the neck in the ED, highlighting the importance of a systematic approach in its interpretation and synthesis of a structured, complete, and concise radiological report.

Traumatic Injury of the Petrous Part of the Temporal Bone: Keys for Reporting a Complex Diagnosis. / Patología traumática de peñascos, un diagnóstico complejo. Claves para el informe.

Fractures of the petrous part of the temporal bone are a common lesion of the base of the skull; most of these fractures result from high-energy trauma. In patients with multiple trauma, these injuries can be detected on CT scans of the head and neck, where the direct and indirect signs are usually sufficient to establish the diagnosis. It is important to these fractures because the temporal bone has critical structures and the complexity of this region increases the risk of error unless special care is taken. This article reviews the key anatomical points, the systematization of the imaging findings, and the classifications used for temporal bone fracture. We emphasize the usefulness of identifying and describing the findings in relation to important structures in this region, of looking for unseen fractures suspected through indirect signs, and of identifying anatomical structures that can simulate fractures. We point out that the classical classifications of these fractures are less useful, although they continue to be used for treatment decisions.

Radiographic patterns in the diagnostic approach to organizing pneumonia.

A 56-year-old woman, non-smoker, who complained of dry cough and dyspnea during the last month came to the emergency department due to increased dyspnea. The chest X-ray showed areas of poorly defined, bilateral alveolar opacities, leading to the diagnosis of bronchopneumonia with partial respiratory failure. During admission, she experienced an exacerbation of the dyspnea. A high-resolution computed tomography scan was performed, showing areas of ground glass opacities with interlobular septal thickening ("crazy-paving" pattern), predominantly in lower lobes. She required mechanical ventilation and she was admitted to the intensive care unit. Subsequently, an open lung biopsy was performed. The following questions should be proposed:

Lista de verificación: tomografía computarizada de cuello en urgencias no traumáticas / Checklist: Neck computed tomography in non-traumatic emergencies

A los pacientes que acuden a urgencias con síntomas inflamatorio/infecciosos a nivel cervical o con masas que pueden comprometer el tracto aerodigestivo o las estructuras vasculares, es necesario hacerles una tomografía computarizada (TC) de cuello con contraste. Su interpretación radiológica se ve dificultada por la complejidad anatómica y la interrelación fisiopatológica entre los diferentes sistemas que lo componen, en un área de estudio relativamente pequeña. Estudios recientes proponen realizar una evaluación sistemática de las estructuras cervicales, utilizando para ello un listado de verificación de 7 elementos, para identificar correctamente la patología, y detectar los hallazgos incidentales que pueden interferir en el manejo del paciente. El objetivo de este trabajo es revisar los hallazgos de la TC en la patología no traumática del cuello en urgencias siguiendo una lectura sistemática, tras la cual se pueda realizar un informe radiológico estructurado, completo y conciso.(AU)

Patients attending the emergency department (ED) with cervical inflammatory/infectious symptoms or presenting masses that may involve the aerodigestive tract or vascular structures require a contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CT) scan of the neck. Its radiological interpretation is hampered by the anatomical complexity and pathophysiological interrelationship between the different component systems in a relatively small area. Recent studies propose a systematic evaluation of the cervical structures, using a 7-item checklist, to correctly identify the pathology and detect incidental findings that may interfere with patient management. As a conclusion, the aim of this paper is to review CT findings in non-traumatic pathology of the neck in the ED, highlighting the importance of a systematic approach in its interpretation and synthesis of a structured, complete, and concise radiological report.(AU)

Patología traumática de peñascos, un diagnóstico complejo. Claves para el informe / Traumatic injury of the petrous part of the temporal bone: keys for reporting a complex diagnosis

La fractura de peñascos constituye una lesión común de la base del cráneo, y la mayoría son el resultado de traumatismos de alta energía. Su reconocimiento en politraumatizados puede realizarse en las tomografías computarizadas de cráneo y cervicales. Los hallazgos directos e indirectos suelen ser suficientes para establecer el diagnóstico. Su identificación es importante debido a que el hueso temporal contiene estructuras críticas, y es posible errar debido a la complejidad de esta región, y su insuficiente vigilancia. Este trabajo revisa los puntos clave anatómicos, la sistematización de los hallazgos radiológicos y las clasificaciones usadas en fracturas de hueso temporal. Cobra relevancia la identificación y descripción de los hallazgos relativos a estructuras importantes de esta región, la búsqueda de fracturas no visibles sospechadas por signos indirectos, y la identificación de estructuras anatómicas que pueden simular fracturas. Pierden valor las clasificaciones clásicas, aunque siguen condicionando el manejo terapéutico

Fractures of the petrous part of the temporal bone are a common lesion of the base of the skull; most of these fractures result from high-energy trauma. In patients with multiple trauma, these injuries can be detected on CT scans of the head and neck, where the direct and indirect signs are usually sufficient to establish the diagnosis. It is important to these fractures because the temporal bone has critical structures and the complexity of this region increases the risk of error unless special care is taken. This article reviews the key anatomical points, the systematization of the imaging findings, and the classifications used for temporal bone fracture. We emphasize the usefulness of identifying and describing the findings in relation to important structures in this region, of looking for unseen fractures suspected through indirect signs, and of identifying anatomical structures that can simulate fractures. We point out that the classical classifications of these fractures are less useful, although they continue to be used for treatment decisions

Patrones radiológicos en la aproximación diagnóstica a la neumonía organizativa / Radiographic patterns in the diagnostic approach to organizing pneumonia

Una mujer de 56 años, no fumadora, que presentaba tos irritativa y disnea de medianos esfuerzos desde hacía un mes acudió a urgencias por aumento de su disnea. En la radiografía de tórax se apreciaban zonas de incremento de densidad mal definidas, bilaterales, por lo que fue diagnosticada de bronconeumonía con insuficiencia respiratoria parcial. Durante el ingreso empeoró su disnea y se realizó una tomografía computarizada torácica donde se observaron áreas de atenuación en vidrio deslustrado con engrosamiento de septos interlobulillares («patrón en empedrado»), de predominio en lóbulos inferiores. Requirió ventilación mecánica en la Unidad de Cuidados Intensivos. Posteriormente se realizó una biopsia pulmonar abierta. Se plantean las cuestiones siguientes: ¿Es posible realizar el diagnóstico de neumonía organizativa (NO) exclusivamente mediante las manifestaciones clínicas?. ¿Son patognomónicos los hallazgos en las pruebas de imagen?. ¿Se requiere la realización de una biopsia pulmonar para confirmar el diagnóstico de NO?. ¿Es necesario esperar a la confirmación histológica para iniciar el tratamiento ante la sospecha de NO? (AU)

A 56-year-old woman, non-smoker, who complained of dry cough and dyspnea during the last month came to the emergency department due to increased dyspnea. The chest X-ray showed areas of poorly defined, bilateral alveolar opacities, leading to the diagnosis of bronchopneumonia with partial respiratory failure. During admission, she experienced an exacerbation of the dyspnea. A high-resolution computed tomography scan was performed, showing areas of ground glass opacities with interlobular septal thickening («crazy-paving» pattern), predominantly in lower lobes. She required mechanical ventilation and she was admitted to the intensive care unit. Subsequently, an open lung biopsy was performed. The following questions should be proposed: Is it possible to make the diagnosis of Organizing Pneumonia (OP) only by clinical findings?. Are the imaging test findings pathognomonic?. Is a lung biopsy required to confirm the diagnosis of OP?. Is it necessary to wait for histologic confirmation to start treatment when OP is suspected? (AU)