Optimal abdominal CT protocol for obese patients.

INTRODUCTION: This study investigated the impact of different protocols on radiation dose and image quality for obese patients undergoing abdominal CT examinations. METHODS: Five abdominal/pelvis CT protocols employed across three scanners from a single manufacturer in a single centre used a variety of parameters (kV: 100/120, reference mAs: 150/190/218/250/300, image reconstruction: filtered back projection (FBP)/iterative (IR)). The routine protocol employed 300 reference mAs and 120 kV. Data sets resulting from obese patient examinations (n = 42) were assessed for image quality using visual grading analysis by three experienced radiologists. Objective assessment (noise, signal/contrast-noise ratios) and radiation dose was compared to determine optimal protocols for prospective testing on a further sample of patients (n = 47) for scanners using FBP and IR techniques. RESULTS: Compared to the routine protocol, mean radiation dose was reduced by 60% when using 100 kV and SAFIRE technique strength 3 (p = 0.001). Reduction of up to 30% in radiation dose was noted for the FBP protocol: 120 kV and 190 reference mAs (p = 0.008). Subjective and objective image quality for both protocols were comparable to that of the routine protocol (p > 0.05). An overall improvement in image quality with increasing strength of SAFIRE was noted. Upon clinical implementation of the optimal dose protocols, local radiology consensus deemed image quality to be acceptable for the participating obese patient cohort. CONCLUSION: Radiation dose for obese patients can be optimised whilst maintaining image quality. Where iterative reconstruction is available relatively low kV and quality reference mAs are also viable for imaging obese patients at 30-60% lower radiation doses.

Medical management of early pregnancy failure with misoprostol with rupture of the cesarean section scar pregnancy.

PURPOSE: To report a case of ruptured uterus in the first trimester with the use of misoprostol for early pregnancy tailure in a woman with unrecognized cesarean section scar pregnancy. CASE: A 27-year-old woman, gravida 5 para 3+1, presented with abdominal pain and vaginal bleeding. Transvaginal ultrasonography revealed a fetus without fetal heart activity at nine weeks gestation, making the diagnosis of early pregnancy failure. Her previous deliveries were by cesarean section. She was managed medically with misoprostol. Seven hours after misoprostol administration, she developed sudden onset of severe abdominal pain. Repeat transvaginal ultrasonography diagnosed cesarean section scar pregnancy. Laparotomy revealed hemoperitoneum with rupture of cesarean section scar pregnancy. Subtotal hysterectomy was performed. CONCLUSIONS: Failure to recognize cesarean section scar pregnancy can result in a ruptured uterus in the first trimester with the use of misoprostol for early pregnancy failure. Increased awareness of the unexpected consequences of cesarean section is of paramount importance.

Urinary catheterization as a successful treatment option for post-cesarean section vesicouterine fistula.

Surgery, the usual treatment option for vesicouterine fistula (VUF), is often delayed to allow involution of the uterus. The authors report a case of successful treatment with urinary catheterization. A 39-year-old, gravida 7, para 6, woman presented at term with obstructed labor. She had one previous cesarean section followed by a vaginal birth before. She underwent emergency cesarean section. She was readmitted after one week because of pelvic collection. Aspiration revealed pus and urine. Retrograde cystogram and pelvic MRI confirmed the presence of VHF. Urinary bladder catheterization for six weeks resulted in the successful treatment of the fistula. Urinary catheterization in the early postpartum period can result in resolution of post-cesarean section VUF, without delaying surgical intervention if it becomes necessary.

Sonographic target sign and rim enhancement on magnetic resonance imaging in metastatic melanoma to the breast.

We report a target sign on ultrasound and peripheral rim enhancement on gadolinium (Gd)-enhanced MRI images in metastasis to the breast from melanoma. These classic signs, as reported in the liver (ultrasound target sign) and in primary breast cancers (Gd rim enhancement), are probably also of value in cases of metastatic lesions to the breast.