ABSTRACT
UNLABELLED: Because of the centralization of neurosurgical services, many head-injured patients who are initially evaluated in district general hospitals need to be transferred to a high technology centre for neurosurgical assessment. However, after assessment, many of these patients are sent back to the original hospital. Establishing a teleradiological system between the two hospitals would eliminate these unnecessary transfers. OBJECTIVES: 1) to describe our initial experience and the results of a pilot study of the teleradiological link between a district general hospital and a tertiary hospital for neurosurgical assessment of head-injured patients, 2) to describe the infrastructure and the technological support required for this project, 3) to analyse the effects of the teleradiological link in both centers (referring and receiving), 4) to evaluate the effectiveness of the system in avoiding unnecessary transfers, and 5) to assess its effectiveness in improving the speed and the quality of transfers in head-injured patients. MATERIAL AND METHODS: In January 1998, the Neurotraumatology Unit of Vall d'Hebron University Hospital established a teleradiological link with the General Hospital of Vic for the neurosurgical evaluation of headinjured patients. The General Hospital of Vic sent the patients' clinical information by fax. CT scan images were digitalized, compressed and prepared for transmission with the StatView program, and were then transmitted by modem to the receiving center. The duty neurosurgeon viewed the images on a PC screen using MutiView software. After evaluating this clinical and radiological information the neurosurgeon sent a report back to the referring center recommending transfer or management (admission, observation, etc.). RESULTS: We analyse the results of our experience 5 years after the implantation of the teleradiological link. CONCLUSIONS: The use of teleradiology in the daily management of head-injured patients provides clear benefits and leads to a more rational use of resources, thus significantly reduces costs. The effectiveness of the system in reducing the interval between the injury and treatment in severe cases depends more on the infrastructure of the health system in each geographical area than on sophisticated telemedicine systems. These methods should be accompanied by other measures designed to hasten the transfer of selected patients.
Subject(s)
Craniocerebral Trauma/diagnostic imaging , Craniocerebral Trauma/surgery , Teleradiology , Adolescent , Adult , Aged , Aged, 80 and over , Child , Child, Preschool , Female , Hospitals, General , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Neurosurgery , Pilot Projects , Radiography , Referral and ConsultationABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the radiologic findings of sclerosing mesenteritis and to describe certain signs that suggest the diagnosis. CONCLUSION: Sclerosing mesenteritis represents a single disease with two radiologically different variants. In an appropriate clinical setting, radiologic features can suggest the diagnosis, delineate the extent of the process, and prescribe or limit surgical procedures. The "fat ring" sign and the presence of a tumoral pseudocapsule are important findings for the diagnosis of the disease.
Subject(s)
Mesentery/diagnostic imaging , Panniculitis, Peritoneal/diagnostic imaging , Female , Humans , Male , Mesentery/pathology , Middle Aged , Retrospective Studies , Sclerosis , Tomography, X-Ray ComputedABSTRACT
The sonographic findings of 76 patients with tuberculosis and HIV infection are described. These findings were compared with a control group of 76 HIV-positive patients without associated pathology. Those patients with tuberculosis and positive HIV titers commonly (p = 0.05) showed retroperitoneal and mesenteric adenopathies with node diameters greater than 1.5 cm (n = 27), and multiple, splenic, hypoechoic nodules between 0.5 cm and 1 cm (n = 11). Additional findings include hepatic hyperechoic nodules (n = 1) and retroperitoneal abscess (n = 1). The combination of ultrasound features can help in the diagnosis of abdominal tuberculosis in HIV-positive patients with non-specific clinical infections.
