Biomedical subjects

E C Kavanagh

Publications and source records attributed to E C Kavanagh.

5 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed2007

MRI of rupture of the spring ligament complex with talo-cuboid impaction.

The spring ligament complex is essential for the stability of the longitudinal arch of the foot and includes the ligaments between the calcaneus and the talus at the superomedial to inferoplantar aspect of the foot. Tears of the spring ligament complex are most commonly degenerative in etiology and secondary to concomitant abnormality of the posterior tibial tendon. We report MRI findings in a 30-year-old man who presented with traumatic rupture of the spring ligament complex, seen following dislocation of the talonavicular joint. We also describe the previously unreported MRI features of talo-cuboid impaction secondary to disruption of the spring ligament complex.

Accidental Falls↗

PubMed2006

Diagnosis of pulmonary emboli and image quality at CT pulmonary angiography: influence of imaging direction with multidetector CT.

AIM: To determine whether there was a significant difference in the prevalence of emboli detected when patients underwent computed tomography pulmonary angiography (CTPA) in a craniocaudal direction versus a caudocranial direction. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This was a prospective study of 203 consecutive patients attending for CTPA for suspected pulmonary embolus. Imaging was performed on a multisection Siemens Volume Zoom CT machine, with bolus tracking centred on the main pulmonary artery after intravenous administration of contrast at 3 ml/s. Patients were examined in a single breath-hold, from the top of the aortic arch to the highest point of the diaphragm, in a randomly assigned cranio-caudal (group A), or caudo-cranial (group B) direction. Images were reviewed on a workstation in a cranio-caudal direction jointly by two radiologists unaware of the original imaging direction. The presence, number and position of arterial emboli were noted, and a subjective assessment of overall image quality and opacification of upper and lower lobe vessels (grade 1, 2, 3, or 4) was made. RESULTS: Emboli were detected in 46 patients. There was no significant difference in the prevalence of emboli detected in the two groups [group A craniocaudal direction n=22, group B caudocranial direction n=24 (p=0.76)]. Imaging direction did not significantly influence overall image quality (p=0.07), however, there was a significantly greater proportion of patients in group A with grade 1 opacification of the upper lobe arteries (p=0.02). CONCLUSION: Imaging direction does not significantly influence the diagnosis of pulmonary emboli but it does significantly improve the upper lobe pulmonary arterial enhancement with fewer non-diagnostic images, and on that basis we recommend that craniocaudal direction be used for CTPA studies.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2006

Diffusion-weighted imaging findings in Balo concentric sclerosis.

Balo concentric sclerosis is a rare demyelinating disease. Pathognomonic features have been previously described. Diffusion-wighted imaging findings have not been previously described in Balo concentric sclerosis. We describe the diffusion-weighted imaging findings in a 45-year-old lady with Balo concentric sclerosis. Diffusion-weighted imaging offers insight into the possible pathophysiology of this rare disease.

Diffuse Cerebral Sclerosis of Schilder↗

PubMed2006

Calcified cerebral emboli.

Intracranial calcifications may represent calcified cerebral emboli. Calcified emboli may be overlooked even though cerebral CT is widely used as a stroke assessment. We report 4 cases of calcified cerebral emboli and demonstrate the value of CT in the diagnosis and temporal evaluation of such emboli.

Aged↗

PubMed2004

Risk of pulmonary embolism after negative MDCT pulmonary angiography findings.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of our study was to determine the risk of pulmonary embolism in patients who have negative MDCT pulmonary angiography findings. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: In this prospective study, one hundred two consecutive patients with suspected pulmonary embolism underwent MDCT pulmonary angiography. Scans were reviewed jointly by two observers and findings recorded by consensus. Observers noted whether pulmonary embolism or other disease was present. No pulmonary embolism was seen in 85 patients (52 men and 33 women; age range, 20-94 years; mean age, 60 years) who were followed up for a mean of 9 months (range, 4-13 months) for evidence of subsequent pulmonary embolism. RESULTS: One patient had a diagnosis of pulmonary embolism made within 3 weeks of undergoing CT pulmonary angiography. MDCT pulmonary angiography showed additional potentially significant findings in 76% of patients; 47% of these findings were not suspected on chest radiography. CONCLUSION: The risk of pulmonary embolism at a mean of 9 months after negative MDCT pulmonary angiography findings is 1%. In our study of patients without pulmonary embolism, MDCT pulmonary angiography revealed other causes for individual patients' signs or symptoms in most cases.

Adolescent↗