Incidence and underreporting of osseous wrist and hand injuries on whole-body computed tomographies at a level 1 trauma center

Background To investigate the incidence of osseous wrist and hand injuries on whole-body computed tomographies (WBCT) at an urban maximum-care trauma center, to report the number of missed cases in primary radiology reports, and to develop an algorithm for improved detection of these injuries. Methods Retrospective analysis reviewing all WBCT for a period of 8 months for osseous wrist and hand injuries. (1) Reconstruction of hands/wrists in three planes (thickness 1–2 mm) and analysis by a blinded musculoskeletal radiologist. (2) Scanning of primary radiology reports and comparison to the re-evaluation. (3) Calculation of the diagnostic accuracy of WBCT during primary reporting. (4) Search for factors potentially influencing the incidence (trauma mechanism, associated injuries, Glasgow Coma Scale, artifacts). (5) Development of an algorithm to improve the detection rate. Results Five hundred six WBCT were included between 01/2020 and 08/2020. 59 (11.7%) WBCT showed 92 osseous wrist or hand injuries. Distal intra-articular radius fractures occurred most frequently (n = 24, 26.1%); 22 patients (37.3%) showed multiple injuries. The sensitivity of WBCT in the detection of wrist and hand fractures during primary evaluation was low with 4 positive cases identified correctly (6.8%; 95% CI 1.9 to 16.5), while the specificity was 100% (95% CI 99.2 to 100.0). Forty-three cases (72.9%) were detected on additional imaging after clinical reassessment. Twelve injuries remained undetected (20.3%). Motorcycle accidents were more common in positive cases (22.0% vs. 10.1%, p = 0.006). 98% of positive cases showed additional fractures of the upper and/or lower extremities, whereas 37% of the patients without osseous wrist and hand injuries suffered such fractures (p < 0.001). The remaining investigated factors did not seem to influence the occurrence. Conclusion Osseous wrist and hand injuries are present in 11.7% on WBCT after polytrauma. 93.2% of injuries were missed primarily, resulting in a very low sensitivity of WBCT during primary reporting. Motorcycle accidents might predispose for these injuries, and they often cause additional fractures of the extremities. Clinical re-evaluation of patients and secondary re-evaluation of WBCT with preparation of dedicated multiplanar reformations are essential in polytrauma cases to detect osseous injuries of wrist and hand reliably. Trial registration The study was registered prospectively on November 17th, 2020, at the German register for clinical trials (DRKS-ID: DRKS00023589).

Multidetector computed tomography in diagnosing peritoneal metastases in ovarian carcinoma

Multidetector computed tomography (MDCT) of the abdomen is currently the imaging examination of choice for the staging and follow-up of ovarian carcinoma (OC). Peritoneal metastases (PMs) represent the most common pathway for the metastatic spread of OC. MDCT scanners, due to several advantages—including increased volume coverage, reduced scanning time, acquisition of thin slices and creation of multiplanar reformations, and three-dimensional reconstructions—provide useful information regarding the early and accurate detection of PMs. Detailed mapping of peritoneal carcinomatosis is feasible, with improved detection of sub-centimeter peritoneal implants and thorough evaluation of curved peritoneal surfaces.

The possibilities of computed tomography using heart-axis-oriented multiplanar reformations in diagnostics of the great arteries transposition

This article contents the results of computed tomography with intravenous bolus contrast media administration data analysis in children with transposition and congenitally corrected transposition of the great arteries with the consequental performing of the multiplanar heart-axis-oriented reformations. Among 148 examined children transposition of great arteries was detected in 13 patients (9 boys and 4 girls aged 1-144 day of life); congenitally corrected transposition was found in 4 cases of children aged from 6 months to 15 years and 6 months (2 boys and 2 girls). In this article comprehensive anatomical criteria of each heart chamber morphology are presented and reformations where these criteria can be seen are shown. Also in the article is given comparative characterization of heart and great arteries structures in transposition and congenitally corrected transposition in every certain heart-axis-oriented reformation. By the results of consequently performed heart-axis-oriented reformations data analysis the peculiar anatomical signs of transposition and congenitally corrected transposition are determined. The results of data analysis show that from the list of offered reformations the peculiar anatomical signs of both kinds of transposition are significantly determined in long-axis of right ventricle inflow tract reformation, left heart chambers reformation, supply ventricle division reformation, short-axis reformation at the level of great arteries. Computed tomographic angiocardiography heart-axis-oriented multiplanar reformations permit full and correct assessment of heart and main vessels, which is important for planning of surgical treatment in congenital heart diseases.

The possibilities of computed tomography heart-axis-oriented multiplanar reformations in diagnostics of common arterial trunk

The possibility of using multiplanar reformations oriented on the axis of heart in diagnosing the common arterial trunk with X-ray computed tomography is substantiated. Examination data of 140 patients aged 1-19 days of life, 3030-3890 g body weight with conotruncal congenital heart diseases was analyzed, and common arterial trunk was detected in 7 patients (4 - boys, 3 - girls). In 5 (72%) patients, it developed mainly from the morphological right ventricle, 1 (14%) - completely from the morphologically right ventricle, and 1 more (14%) - evenly located above the ventricles. In four (57%) cases, the trunk valve had three leaflets, in two (28,5%) cases - two, in one (14,5%) case - four. All the patients had mitral-semilunar fibrous prolongation, intraventricular septal defects, doubled coronary arteries system, and the pulmonary arteries had their origin from ascendant part of common trunk. Pulmonary arteries had also their own common trunk in 4 (57%) cases, separate estuary in 3 (43%) cases. Aortic arc abnormalities included dextral aortic arc (2 cases), discontinuity of aortic arc (1 case), discontinuity of fourth aortic arc with persistence of fifth left aortic arc (2 cases). In general, computed tomographic angiocardiography heart-axis-oriented multiplanar reformations permit full and correct assessment of heart and main vessels, which is important for surgical treatment planning in congenital heart diseases.

Multislice computer tomography in detection of pseudocapsule of renal cell carcinoma

In order to evaluate the diagnostic efficiency of MDCT with bolus contrast enhancement in the visualization of renal cancer pseudocapsule a retrospective study, included 74 patients with histologically confirmed renal-cell cancer, was performed. Images were acquired in native, arterial, portal and nephrographic - excretory phase on a 64-detector CT scanner. The accuracy of MDCT in detecting pseudocapsule was determined by comparison with histological findings. Native axial images and multiplanar reformations were analyzed. According to the results of the study there was obtained high diagnostic efficiency of MDCT in detecting of the tumor pseudocapsule, that allows to use this method for the preoperative evaluation, assessment of the possibility ofperforming organ-saving surgery.