Utility of Longitudinal Measurement of the Liver With Ultrasound in Comparison to Computed Tomography Liver Volume in Assessing Hepatomegaly.

ABSTRACT: The purpose of the study is to retrospectively compare the longitudinal measurement of the liver on ultrasound (US) with liver volume as measured on computed tomography (CT). This institutional review board-approved retrospective study with prospective image analysis included adult patients with US examinations of the liver and CT examinations of the abdomen performed within 2 weeks of each other from January 1, 2010, to April 30, 2016. We recorded the dome-to-tip longitudinal length measurement of the right lobe of the liver on the US study. The liver volume was calculated using manual 3-dimensional segmentation of the CT data set. Additional linear liver measurements and qualitative assessments were retrospectively made on the US and CT images. Hepatomegaly was defined as a liver volume 2000 mL or greater. The sample had 302 patients including 140 males and 162 females. Liver length measured on US had a moderate positive correlation with liver volume measured on CT, with a Pearson correlation coefficient of 0.7078. The optimum cutoff of liver length (US) was found to be 17 cm by Youden index, with a sensitivity of 76.0% and specificity of 73.4% for hepatomegaly. Additional linear measurements and qualitative assessments of the liver did not significantly improve the diagnosis of hepatomegaly. In conclusion, liver length measured with US has only a moderate correlation with liver volume. Commonly used US liver length maximum values of 16 to 18 cm produce a significant number of false-negatives and false-positives for the diagnosis of hepatomegaly.

Incidence of Bleeding Complications With Flexible Bronchoscopy in Cancer Patients With Thrombocytopenia.

BACKGROUND: Bronchoscopy is a safe procedure, but current guidelines recommend transfusion for platelets <20 K/µL. Studies of bronchoscopy in thrombocytopenia are limited. OBJECTIVES: Our objective was to evaluate the incidence of bleeding with flexible bronchoscopy in those with thrombocytopenia especially those <20 K/µL. METHOD: We performed a retrospective review of all flexible bronchoscopies between June 1, 2008 and December 31, 2010. Biopsies and therapeutic procedures were excluded. The χ, Fisher exact, and Rank-sum test were conducted to evaluate associations of clinically significant bleeding. RESULTS: There were 1711 patients who underwent 2053 flexible bronchoscopies. Cancer diagnosis included hematologic (61.3%) and solid organ malignancy (34.9%). Half of the bronchoscopies had moderate to severe thrombocytopenia (<100 K/µL) with the following ranges: 14.7% with 50 to <100 K/µL, 20.6% with 20 to <50 K/µL, 10.6% with 10 to <20 K/µL, 4.1% with <10 K/µL. Platelet transfusion was given in 90.6% of those with platelets <10 K/µL and 55.5% of those with platelets 10 to <20 K/µL. The nasal route for bronchoscopy was used in 92.4%. Bleeding complication rate however was 1.1% (0.2% major) and not affected by platelets. CONCLUSION: Bronchoscopy with lavage can be safely performed without platelet transfusion in those with platelets of ≥10 K/µL. In the absence of nasal bleeding, trauma, or deformity, the nasal route can be used for bronchoscopy.

Pediatric Central Nervous System Imaging of Nonaccidental Trauma: Beyond Subdural Hematomas.

Infants and children under 2 years of age are at greatest risk for devastating neurologic complications following nonaccidental trauma. While a subdural hematoma (SDH) is the most common finding and is often enough to raise suspicion for abuse, no single injury is pathognomonic for abusive head trauma (AHT). Rather, the combination of imaging and physical findings and the clinical presentation help confirm the diagnosis of AHT. Familiarity with the spectrum of findings and proper identification of the imaging abnormalities is important for the radiologist to facilitate treatment and removal of the patient from the abusive environment. Injury is usually a result of shaking, which includes hyperflexion, hyperextension, and rotational forces, and less commonly impact trauma or a combination of both. Key anatomic features unique to the infant's head, neck, and spine and associated biomechanical forces are responsible for entities such as hypoxic ischemic injury, bridging vein thrombosis, SDH, parenchymal lacerations, and spinal and retinal injuries. Although the association of subpial hemorrhage with AHT has not been investigated, it warrants attention in very young infants who endure accidental or inflicted trauma. A combination of CT of the head and MRI of the brain and cervical spine aids in the accurate diagnosis, appropriate management, and subsequent protection of these patients. ©RSNA, 2018.

Navigating air travel and cardiovascular concerns: Is the sky the limit?

As the population ages and our ability to care for patients with cardiac disease improves, an increasing number of passengers with cardiovascular conditions will be traveling long distances. Many have had cardiac symptoms, recent interventions, devices, or surgery. Air travel is safe for most individuals with stable cardiovascular disease. However, a thorough understanding of the physiologic changes during air travel is essential given the potential impact on cardiovascular health and the risk of complications in passengers with preexisting cardiac conditions. It is important for clinicians to be aware of the current recommendations and precautions that need to be taken before and during air travel for passengers with cardiovascular concerns.