Focal arterial injuries of the proximal extremities: helical CT arteriography as the initial method of diagnosis.

PURPOSE: To present our experience with helical computed tomographic (CT) arteriography as the initial diagnostic examination in patients suspected to have focal arterial injuries of the proximal extremities. MATERIALS AND METHODS: During 19 months, 142 arterial segments in the proximal portions of the extremities of 139 patients with trauma were evaluated with helical CT arteriography. CT arteriograms were interpreted on site by the radiologist in charge of emergency procedures and retrospectively with consensus interpretation between two radiologists. CT study quality and the presence of arterial injuries were noted. CT arteriographic findings were compared with those of surgery, conventional arteriography, and/or clinical follow-up. RESULTS: Five (3.6%) patients had nondiagnostic studies and underwent conventional arteriography. In the remaining 137 arterial segments in 134 patients, helical CT arteriography demonstrated arterial injuries in 61 segments and normal arteries in 76 segments. These segments were treated initially with surgery (55 segments) or endovascular intervention (four segments) or were observed (78 segments); 77 of the 78 observed segments remained stable at 3-18 months (mean follow-up, 5.2 months). There were no differences between the on-site and consensus interpretations (kappa = 1.0). The sensitivity of CT arteriography was 95.1%, and the specificity was 98.7%. CONCLUSION: Helical CT arteriography can be performed as the initial diagnostic method in most patients suspected to have focal arterial injuries of the proximal portions of the extremities.

Diagnostic performance of helical CT angiography in trauma to large arteries of the extremities.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this work was to assess the performance of helical CT angiography (CTA) in the diagnosis of injuries to large arteries of the extremities. METHOD: We performed helical CTA on 45 consecutive patients referred for conventional angiography for evaluation of suspected arterial injuries after sustaining trauma to the extremities (13 upper, 32 lower). Two radiologists interpreted the helical CTA studies independently. Diagnostic performance parameters evaluated included sensitivity, specificity, receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves, and interobserver agreement (kappa statistics). Conventional angiography was used as the standard of reference for determination of final diagnoses. RESULTS: Forty-three of 45 patients (96%) had diagnostic helical CTA examinations. Final diagnoses in these 43 patients were arterial occlusion (n = 7), partial obstruction (n = 3), pseudoaneurysm (n = 5), arteriovenous fistula (n = 1), pseudoaneurysm and arteriovenous fistula (n = 3), and normal findings (n = 24). Sensitivity and specificity were 90% [95% confidence interval (CI), 80-99] and 100% (95% CI, 99-100), respectively, for Reader 1 and 100% (95% CI, 99-100) and 100% (95% CI, 99-100), respectively, for Reader 2. ROC curve analysis revealed high diagnostic performance, with areas under the curve of >0.9 for both readers. Interobserver agreement was 0.9. CONCLUSION: The diagnostic performance of helical CTA for detection of major injuries of large arteries of the extremities is high.

Prevalence of hepatitis B surface antigen among women receiving prenatal care at the Palm Beach County Health Department.

Pregnant women receiving prenatal care at the maternity clinics of the Palm Beach County Health Department were tested for hepatitis B surface antigen. Routine screening of pregnant women for the antigen is discussed. The results of this study indicate the need for routine screening of our medically indigent pregnant population.