MIA 2012: Hoffmann U et al. Coronary CT angiography versus standard evaluation in acute chest pain. N Engl J Med. 2012 Jul 26;367(4):299-308.

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ROMICAT-II study: Coronary CT angiography (CCTA) is a safe and faster diagnostic strategy than the standard evaluation of low-to-intermediate risk chest pain patients. CCTA, however, results in higher radiation exposure and more downstream testing.

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By Michelle Lin, MD|2016-11-11T18:38:52-08:00Jan 1, 2013|Cardiovascular|

MIA 2012: Backes D, et al. Time-dependent test characteristics of head computed tomography in patients suspected of nontraumatic subarachnoid hemorrhage. Stroke. 2012 Aug;43(8):2115-9

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100% sensitive and specific if < 6 hours from headache onset
90% sensitive if after 6 hours

A noncontrast head CT can effectively rule out atraumatic subarachnoid hemorrhage (aSAH) in patients who present with acute headache within six hours after ictus. Those who present outside this time window or present atypically for SAH (ie neck pain) require further workup, including a lumbar puncture.

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By Michelle Lin, MD|2016-11-11T18:42:23-08:00Jan 1, 2013|Neurology, Radiology|

MIA 2012: Pearce MS et al. Radiation exposure from CT scans in childhood and subsequent risk of leukaemia and brain tumours: a retrospective cohort study. Lancet. 2012 Aug 4;380(9840):499-505.

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Interpret this data how you will: Exposure to 2-3 CT scans of the head will triple the risk of brain tumors; 5-10 head CT scans will triple the risk of leukemia. In absolute terms, this translates into approximately 1 excess case of leukemia and 1 excess brain tumor per 10,000 patients.

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By Michelle Lin, MD|2016-11-11T18:42:23-08:00Jan 1, 2013|Pediatrics, Radiology|

MIA 2012: IST-3 collaborative group et al. The benefits and harms of intravenous thrombolysis with recombinant tissue plasminogen activator within 6 h of acute ischaemic stroke (the third international stroke trial [IST-3]): a randomised controlled trial. Lancet. 2012 Jun 23;379(9834):2352-63.

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Giving tPA to stroke patients within 6 hrs of symptom onset does not improve mortality or independence at 6 months. However, patients might be a little “less disabled” while they are alive. Maybe.

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By Michelle Lin, MD|2016-11-11T18:42:29-08:00Jan 1, 2013|Neurology|

MIA 2012: Weingart SD, Levitan RM. Preoxygenation and prevention of desaturation during emergency airway management. Ann Emerg Med. 2012 Mar;59(3):165-75.e1.

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By Michelle Lin, MD|2016-11-11T18:42:29-08:00Jan 1, 2013|Pulmonary|

MIA 2012: Than M et al. 2-Hour accelerated diagnostic protocol to assess patients with chest pain symptoms using contemporary troponins as the only biomarker: the ADAPT trial. J Am Coll Cardiol. 2012 Jun 5;59(23):2091-8.

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For ED patients presenting with undifferentiated chest pain, a TIMI score of 0, together with a non-ischemic EKG, and a negative cTnI at 0 hours and 2 hours, can identify patients at very low-risk for having a major adverse cardiac event (MACE) in 30 days.

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By Michelle Lin, MD|2016-11-11T18:42:29-08:00Jan 1, 2013|Cardiovascular|

Trick of the Trade: Ossification centers of the elbow

Fracture or a normal ossification center?

This is a common question heard when viewing an xray of a pediatric elbow. How do you remember the timing of normal ossification centers? FYI, the xray images above are normal and have no fractures.

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By Michelle Lin, MD|2019-01-28T22:09:10-08:00Jan 1, 2013|Pediatrics, Radiology, Tricks of the Trade|

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