Ultra-low-dose computed tomography and its utility in wrist trauma in the emergency department.

BACKGROUND: The use and frequency of computed tomography (CT) are increasing day by day in emergency departments (ED). This increases the amount of radiation exposed. PURPOSE: To evaluate the image quality obtained by ultra-low-dose CT (ULDCT) in patients with suspected wrist fractures in the ED and to investigate whether it is an alternative to standard-dose CT (SDCT). MATERIAL AND METHODS: This is a study prospectively examining 336 patients who consulted the ED for wrist trauma. After exclusion criteria were applied, the patients were divided into the study and control groups. Then, SDCT (120 kVp and 100 mAs) and ULDCT (80 kVp and 5 mAs) wrist protocols were applied simultaneously. The images obtained were evaluated for image quality and fracture independently by a radiologist and an emergency medical specialist using a 5-point scale. RESULTS: The effective radiation dose calculated for the control group scans was 41.1 ± 2.1 µSv, whereas the effective radiation dose calculated for the study group scans was 0.5 ± 0.0 µSv. The effective radiation dose of the study group was significantly lower than that of the control group (P < 0.01). The CT images in the study group showed no significant differences in the mean image quality score between observer 1 and observer 2 (3.4 and 4.3, respectively; P = 0.58). Both observers could detect all fractures using the ULDCT images. CONCLUSION: ULDCT provides high-quality images in wrist traumas while reducing the radiation dose by approximately 98% compared to SDCT without any changes in diagnostic accuracy.

The new ultralow dose CT protocol for the diagnosis of fractures of the ankle: A prospective comparative study with conventional CT.

PURPOSE: Computerized tomography (CT) imaging is increasingly being used to evaluate patients with ankle trauma. However, conventional CT (C CT) has a significantly higher radiation dose (RD) than plain radiography. This study aimed to evaluate the diagnostic accuracy and reliability of ultra-low-dose CT (ULDCT) protocol for ankle fractures. METHODS: Ninety-eight consecutive patients who had ankle CT for suspected ankle fracture were included in our prospective study. C CT and ULDCT protocols were simultaneously performed on these 98 patients. Two observers independently evaluated ULDCT and C CT images. The effective RD of the ULDCT and C CT groups was calculated. RESULTS: The interobserver agreement was 1 (perfect). ULDCT and C CT group images showed no significant difference in image quality. The effective RD of the ULDCT was significantly lower than the C CT (p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: By evaluating the results of this study, ULDCT proved to be a reliable diagnostic imaging method for fractures of the ankle. The satisfactory diagnostic image quality of the ULDCT protocol provides promising results. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level II/lesser quality RCT or prospective comparative study.

Radiation dose to breasts from a cardiac computed tomography angiographyscanogram can be reduced by switching tube position.

BACKGROUND/AIM: In a computed tomography (CT) examination, scanogram images are used to determine the range of the area to be imaged before scanning. The importance of scanogram image exposure has increased since total examination radiation has decreased due to technological advancements. The purpose of this study was to determine and compare radiation doses delivered to patients while the tube was in anterior-posterior (AP) and posterior-anterior (PA) positions during a CT angiography scanogram. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The radiation doses absorbed by the breast tissue of 55 female patients who underwent cardiac dual-source computed tomography (DSCT) angiography were determined using thermoluminescent dosimeters (TLD-100, Harshaw, MA, USA). Four patients were excluded from the study for various reasons. RESULTS: Radiation doses absorbed by the breasts were significantly lower when the tube position was switched during the scanogram. The absorbed doses, calculated from scanogram exposures, were 520 ± 50 µSv for the AP projection and 410 ± 45 µSv for the PA projection. Total skin doses from the DSCT examinations were 18.9 ± 2.3 mSv. CONCLUSION: We attributed the approximately 20% lower doses to the position of the scanogram tube, which was in the PA position.

How to close open choledochotomy: primary closure, primary closurewith T-tube drainage, or choledochoduodenostomy?

BACKGROUND/AIM: Although common bile duct stones are generally treated endoscopically, surgery is required if endoscopic removal is impossible. The aim of this study was to compare the surgical options in such patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 282 patients with common bile duct stones underwent open choledochotomy; primary closure was applied in 48 (17.0%), primary closure with T-tube drainage in 81 (28.7%), and choledochoduodenostomy in 153 (54.3%) patients. RESULTS: Postoperative complications were seen in 8 (16.7%) patients in the primary closure, 33 (40.7%) patients in the primary closure with T-drainage, and 37 (24.2%) patients in the choledochoduodenostomy group. No significant differences were observed among the groups (P > 0.05). The mean postoperative hospital stays in the primary closure, primary closure with T-tube drainage, and choledochoduodenostomy groups were 5.5, 13.5, and 8.9 days, respectively. The mean postoperative hospitalization was significantly shorter in the primary closure group than in the other groups (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Primary closure is a safe and feasible method in selected patients.