Computed tomography (CT), ultrasound, and 111In-labeled leukocyte scans are all used in the evaluation of abdominal abscesses. In this study, 170 patients in whom one, two, or all three of these modalities were used retrospectively reviewed. Diagnostic accuracy of 96% for CT, 90% for ultrasound, and 92% for 111In leukocyte scans was achieved. It was often necessary to use more than one modality to arrive at a correct diagnosis. The advantages and disadvantages as well as the causes for false positive or false negative interpretations of each of these modalities are reviewed. Analysis of the different examinations resulted in a suggested sequence by which patients can be examined, based upon their clinical condition. Patients who are not critically ill and/or who have no localizing signs should be studied first with 111In-labeled leukocyte scans. If, however, localizing signs should or the patient's condition necessitates prompt intervention, CT or ultrasound should be the first study performed.

No abstract

Abstract:Brain Scanning in Cerebral Vascular Disease: A Reappraisal• The frequency of abnormal brain scans in patients with cerebral vascular disease admitted to a stroke intensive care unit has been evaluated in relation to diagnosis, time after onset of symptoms, effect of delayed imaging and the degree of clinical neurological recovery. In patients with completed thromboembolic infarction, 33% had abnormal scans including 39% of those with hemispheric lesions and 14% with posterior fossa lesions. Completed hemorrhagic infarction occurred in seven patients, and three (43%) had abnormal brain scans. Of 14 patients with either transient ischemic attacks or reversible ischemic neurological deficit, two (14%) had abnormal scans. Twenty-seven percent of brain scans in patients with completed thromboembolic infarction were abnormal in the first two days after infarction, a higher frequency than previously reported. Delayed images confirmed the initial interpretation that the scan was either normal or abnormal in 71 % of the cases while in 10% of the cases only the delayed views were abnormal. The frequency of abnormal scans was significantly greater in patients who died or had a large neurological deficit at discharge than in patients with lesser residual deficit.

No abstract

No abstract