18F-FDG PET/CT superior to serum CEA in detection of colorectal cancer and its recurrence.

The aim of this study was to examine whether positron emission tomography (PET)/computed tomography (CT) can detect more cases of colorectal cancer (CRC) than serum carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA), both at initial staging and during surveillance for recurrence. A retrospective review of 639 CRC patients imaged with PET/CT was performed. PET/CT was superior to serum CEA in detecting CRC, identifying 2.5 times as many CRC at initial staging compared to serum CEA and 1.5 times as many CRC recurrences. The current guideline recommendations of utilizing PET/CT only in the context of a rising serum CEA will miss more than one third of all CRC recurrences.

Measuring the anterior cruciate ligament's footprints by three-dimensional magnetic resonance imaging.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to compare 3D MR imaging and open cadaveric measurements of the ACL's footprints to see whether 3D MR imaging measurements are accurate enough to be used for preoperative templating in anatomic ACL reconstruction. METHODS: Eight formalin-injected cadaveric knees were scanned by rapid acquisition isotropic 3D MR imaging. The femoral and tibial footprints were measured on MR imaging and compared with cadaveric dissection. Bland-Altman plots were used to assess the level of agreement. RESULTS: The AM and PL bundles were clearly appreciated in each specimen by 3D MR imaging and cadaveric dissection. The average paired difference in the femoral and tibial footprint measurements was 2, 1, 2, and 2 mm for the femoral footprint length, femoral footprint width, tibial footprint length, and tibial footprint width, respectively. The individual paired measurements were all within the mean difference ± two standard deviations of the difference in the Bland-Altman plot showing strong agreement. CONCLUSION: Measuring the ACL's footprint by 3D MR imaging or open cadaveric dissection has strong agreement and can be used interchangeably. 3D MR imaging has the potential to allow surgeons to: (1) tailor ACL reconstruction technique or graft choice based on ACL footprint size, (2) plan for selective bundle ACL reconstruction for partial tears, and (3) preoperatively template tunnel position according to the patient's individual anatomy.

The role of abdominal radiography in the evaluation of the nontrauma emergency patient.

PURPOSE: To characterize the utility of abdominal radiography for nontrauma emergency patients in a single-institution setting. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Following approval from the Director of Professional Services, a retrospective review of radiography and of patient records was conducted for patients who presented to a nontrauma emergency department over a period of 6 months and who were imaged by using abdominal radiography. Only the first radiograph per patient was used for analysis. The interpretations were sorted as normal, nonspecific, or abnormal. The patients' medical records were reviewed to determine whether further imaging was performed (computed tomography, ultrasonography, or upper gastrointestinal imaging) and results were compared with abdominal radiography. Chart reviews were conducted to identify patients in whom abdominal radiography alone influenced treatment. RESULTS: In 874 patients, interpretation of abdominal radiography was normal in 34% (n = 300), nonspecific in 46% (n = 406), and abnormal in 19% (n = 168). Further imaging was performed for 50% (436) of all patients. Of 300 patients whose abdominal radiography results were normal, 42% (n = 125) had follow-up imaging; 72% (n = 90) of these showed abnormal, 78% (165 of 212) showed nonspecific, and 87% (86 of 99) showed abnormal findings. Of 438 patients who did not undergo follow-up imaging, 75% (n = 327) were discharged. For all indications other than catheter placement, abdominal radiography helped confirm the suspected diagnosis in 2%-8% of cases. In 37 (4%) of 874 patients, abdominal radiography was possibly helpful in changing patient treatment without a follow-up study. CONCLUSION: Abdominal radiography is often requested; however, its results contribute to patient treatment in a small percentage of cases. With the exception of catheter placement, if a patient requires investigation beyond clinical history, physical examination, and lab results, the emergency physician should be encouraged to request more definitive imaging.

Cardiac medical therapy among patients undergoing abdominal aortic aneurysm repair.

Open abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) repair is a common surgical procedure associated with high mortality rates. Our objective was to describe the use of in-hospital cardiac medical therapy among patients undergoing open AAA repair and to examine the effect of perioperative cardiac medical therapy on in-hospital mortality. We examined clinical data and in-hospital medication use among 223 patients who underwent open AAA repair at three North American hospitals, all of which used the Transition resource and cost accounting system. Medication use was described [angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors, aspirin, ss-blockers, and statins] within the cohort at five specific periods of time: presurgery, day of surgery, 1 day after surgery, postsurgery, and discharge. We then performed a matched case-control study where cases were defined as patients who died in-hospital. We compared medication use between cases and controls to assess its impact on in-hospital mortality. Most patients were elderly (mean age 72.5 +/- 9.8 years), 70.4% were male, and in-hospital mortality within the cohort was 10.8%. Medication use in all periods of administration was low. ss-Blocker use was highest among all classes on the day of surgery, with 20.6% of patients undergoing AAA repair receiving the medication. Less than 50% of patients received any of the medications at discharge. After adjusting for baseline differences, perioperative ACE inhibitor use showed a trend toward a protective effect [odds ratio (OR) = 0.09, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.01-1.31, p = 0.08], and perioperative ss-blocker use was significantly associated with a decrease in mortality (OR = 0.07, 95% CI 0.01-0.87, p = 0.04). Cardiac medical therapy among patients undergoing AAA repair is low throughout all periods of hospitalization. ACE inhibitor and ss-blocker use may be associated with decreased in-hospital mortality.