Abdominal CT studies can help clinicians accurately evaluate the lumbar spine.
Abdominal CT studies are a feasible method for obtaining an accurate evaluation of the lumbar spine, according to a study published in the British Journal of Radiology.
Researchers from Milwaukee VA Medical Center in Wisconsin sought to determine if the lumbar spine can be accurately evaluated on an abdominal CT.
The researchers obtained the records of all consecutive patients who underwent an abdominal CT within 12 months of a lumbar spine MRI between November 1, 2010 and October 31, 2015. The abdominal CT studies were retrospectively reviewed in a blinded fashion for the presence of any significant lumbar spine abnormalities. The prospective lumbar spine MRI reports were used as the standard of reference.
A total of 144 patients met the inclusion criteria of the study; 107 patients had 256 abnormal findings on the lumbar spine MRI studies.
The researchers concluded that while there were several limitations, which included spinal cord assessment, bone marrow assessment, and quantum mottle, compared with evaluation of the lumbar spine using MRI, evaluation of the lumbar spine on abdominal CT studies can be accurately performed with current state-of-the-art CT scanners. They do suggest that additional prospective studies are needed for a more definitive analysis.
New Study Assesses Benefits of High-Resolution Photon-Counting for Computed Tomography Angiography
October 10th 2024Researchers found that ultra-high resolution photon-counting significantly enhanced visualization of small vessels and facilitated improved reduction of blooming artifacts for head and neck computed tomography angiography (CTA) scans.
The Reading Room: Racial and Ethnic Minorities, Cancer Screenings, and COVID-19
November 3rd 2020In this podcast episode, Dr. Shalom Kalnicki, from Montefiore and Albert Einstein College of Medicine, discusses the disparities minority patients face with cancer screenings and what can be done to increase access during the pandemic.
FDA Clears Software for Enhancing CCTA Assessment of Atherosclerosis
October 1st 2024Through analysis of coronary computed tomography angiography (CCTA) images, the PlaqueIQ software provides quantification and classification of atherosclerosis, a common cause of myocardial infarction (MI) and ischemic stroke.
CT Study Links Pleural Effusion and Higher 30-Day Mortality Rates in Patients with COVID-19
October 1st 2024In a multicenter study of over 1,100 patients with COVID-19, pleural effusion was detected on CT scans in nearly a third of patients, who also had significantly higher ICU admission and 30-day mortality rates.