Helical CT in Emergency Radiology

Abstract

Today, a wide range of traumatic and nontraumatic emergency conditions are quickly and accurately diagnosed with helical computed tomography (CT). Many traditional emergency imaging procedures have been replaced with newer helical CT techniques that can be performed in less time and with greater accuracy, less patient discomfort, and decreased cost. The speed of helical technology permits CT examination of seriously ill patients in the emergency department, as well as patients who might not have been taken to CT previously because of the length of the examinations of the past. Also, helical technology permits multiple, sequential CT scans to be quickly obtained in the same patient, a great advance for the multiple-trauma patient. Higher quality CT examinations result from decreased respiratory misregistration, enhanced intravenous contrast material opacification of vascular structures and parenchymal organs, greater flexibility in image reconstruction, and improved multiplanar and three-dimensional reformations. This report summarizes the role and recommended protocols for the helical CT diagnosis of thoracic aortic trauma; aortic dissection; pulmonary embolism; acute conditions of the neck soft tissues; abdominal trauma; urinary tract stones; appendicitis; diverticulitis; abdominal aortic aneurysm; fractures of the face, spine, and extremities; and acute stroke.

Satisfaction of Search in Multitrauma Patients: Severity of Detected Fractures

“…Major added fractures of our second experiment involved potential major morbidity (such as a cervical spine fracture), usually involving computed tomography (CT). Multidetector CT has revolutionized the diagnostic evaluation of trauma and emergency room patients (6)(7)(8)(9)(10), particularly for spinal injury. Patients with life threatening spinal or pelvic injuries are usually examined using multidetector CT rather than with radiography.…”

Coronal thick CT reconstruction: an alternative for initial chest radiography in trauma patients

“…CT is nowadays a widely used and versatile imaging modality for emergency patient management [8][9][10][13][14][15]. Major recent developments have led to the introduction of MDCT in the emergency setting, with fast data acquisition and tailored MDCT protocols, allowing even severely injured and hemodynamically unstable patients to have a CT [13,14].…”

Circumcaval Ureter - MDCT & Retrograde Pyelography Features

“…A RGP done in conjunction with an inferior vena cavogram has been advocated in the past for making the diagnosis. MDCT is preferred over IVU by physicians because of its high sensitivity (96%), specificity (99%), and accuracy (96%) for the detection of ureteric calculus [13]. MDCT scan may define the ureter and inferior vena cava anomalies obviating the need for a RGP and is considered an investigation of choice [14].…”