Advances in chest imaging in acute medicine

• Autores: Caroline Patterson, Simon P.G. Padley
• Localización: Medicine, ISSN-e 1357-3039, Vol. 41, Nº. 3, 2013, págs. 142-145
• Idioma: inglés
• Texto completo no disponible (Saber más ...)
• Resumen

  • Chest radiography is the most commonly performed diagnostic imaging test, but in unselected acute medical admissions it offers low diagnostic yield and high case-finding costs. There has been a trend towards the use of targeted radiological investigation. Advances in computed tomography technology, with improvements in spatial and temporal resolution, have facilitated detailed cardio-pulmonary imaging within a single breath hold. Advances in ultrasound technology have improved the accurate delineation of small thoracic structures with the added advantages of portability, repeatability. Real-time, dynamic ultrasound imaging is particularly useful for ‘point-of-care’ testing. The targeted use of radiological investigations early in clinical assessment has the potential to reduce diagnostic time and costs, improve diagnostic yield and facilitate prompt treatment.