ABSTRACT
AIM: The aim of this study is to determine the impact of foot and ankle single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) CT on patient management. METHOD AND MATERIALS: A retrospective review over a 7-year period investigating whether the study identified or confirmed a source of symptoms. The electronic patient record was reviewed to see whether the test was helpful to the onward management of the patient. RESULTS: In total 44 patients were included and pathology was identified in 40 of the 44 patients, with four having normal studies. SPECT CT was deemed helpful in the management of 39 of the patients with the positive usefulness overall calculated as 89%. The remaining five patients where the test was not helpful have been discussed. CONCLUSION: SPECT-CT is a helpful imaging test in the diagnosis of foot and ankle disorders with 89% of studies being diagnostically useful.
Subject(s)
Tomography, Emission-Computed, Single-PhotonABSTRACT
Computed tomography (CT) is a valuable tool in the workup of patients under investigation for pulmonary hypertension (PH) and may be the first test to suggest the diagnosis. CT parenchymal lung changes can help to differentiate the aetiology of PH. CT can demonstrate interstitial lung disease, emphysema associated with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, features of left heart failure (including interstitial oedema), and changes secondary to miscellaneous conditions such as sarcoidosis. CT also demonstrates parenchymal changes secondary to chronic thromboembolic disease and venous diseases such as pulmonary venous occlusive disease (PVOD) and pulmonary capillary haemangiomatosis (PCH). It is important for the radiologist to be aware of the various manifestations of PH in the lung, to help facilitate an accurate and timely diagnosis. This pictorial review illustrates the parenchymal lung changes that can be seen in the various conditions causing PH.
