ABSTRACT
Background: prospectively electrocardiography [ECG]-triggered high-pitch spiral coronary computed tomography angiography [CCTA] is a unique scan mode for dual -source CT [DSCT]. Our reports aim to compare image quality and radiation dose of CCTA using high-pitch spiral or sequential acquisition mode in patients with low and stable heart rates
Materials and Methods: patients with low and stable heart rates [HR] [HR >/= 70 beats per minute [bpm]; heart rate variability [HRV] < 10 bpm] were randomly assigned to high-pitch spiral mode [group A; n = 80] or sequential acquisition mode [group B; n = 80]. Image quality scores, image noise, effective radiation dose and influencing factors on image quality were assessed
Results: mean image quality scores were 1.51 +/- 0.32 and 1.70 +/- 0.38 for groups A and B [P < 0.05], respectively. Image noises of the two groups were 19.05 +/- 4.70 Hu and 27.21 +/- 8.88 Hu [P < 0.05]. Contrast media cost in-group A was lower than group B [P < 0.05]. No statistical difference was found in the rate of diagnostic patients between the two groups [P = 0.416]. The estimated radiation dose of group A was 26.0% reduced compared with group B [0.74 +/- 0.34 mSv vs. 1.00 +/- 0.48 mSv, P < 0.05]
Conclusion: in patients with regular and low heart rates, the prospectively high-pitch spiral acquisition mode can reduce radiation dose and contrast media cost while maintaining image quality compared with the prospectively sequential mode
ABSTRACT
In Korea, the incidence of malaria has been increasing in the civilian population and in the areas previously considered as noninfected. Malaria can be suspected based on the patient's symptoms and the physical findings at examination. However, for a definitive diagnosis to be made, the malaria parasites or their components must be demonstrated by laboratory tests, which will take time and require expertise. Since general screening tests, such as a complete blood cell count, are always done for patients with a fever, it can be expected that the attention of laboratory hematologists drawn to any abnormalities found in automated hematology analyzers can help reduce delays in the diagnosis of malaria even if such a diagnosis was not initially considered. We report three cases of malaria that had thrombocytopenia and pseudoeosinophilia shown in the Sysmex XE-2100 (TOA Medical Electronics, Kobe, Japan) automated hematology analyzer. It is feasible that the pseudoeosinophilia presented as a result of hemozoin-containing white blood cells may contribute to the diagnosis of malaria, especially for patients unsuspected of the disease.