Publications (2)2.11 Total impact
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Article: Multidetector CT imaging of pleura: comparison of two contrast infusion protocols.
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ABSTRACT: Imaging of the pleura by multidetector CT (MDCT) can be challenging. There is no clear evidence or guidelines on contrast infusion parameters for imaging pleura. We compared two contrast protocols for assessing pleural pathology on MDCT. This was a prospective study in which consecutive patients with MDCT for suspected pleural disease on chest radiograph were randomised into two groups. The first group received 150 ml of intravenous contrast at a rate of 2.5 ml s(-1) and the second group received 100 ml at 2 ml s(-1). Images were acquired after a 60 s delay. Hounsfield units of the pleura, thoracic aorta, main pulmonary artery, portal vein and superior mesenteric artery were measured and analysed by two independent readers. Results: 40 patients (20 in each group) who had pleural enhancement on MDCT were included for final analysis. The mean pleural enhancement value was 83 HU (Group A) vs 59 HU (Group B) (p = 0.0004). The mean aortic enhancement was 241 HU (A) vs 141 HU (B) (p<0.0001); main pulmonary artery enhancement was 208 HU (A) vs 139 HU (B) (p<0.0002); portal venous enhancement was 169 HU (A) vs 115 HU (B) (p<0.0001); and the superior mesenteric artery enhancement was 215 HU (A) vs 128 HU (B) (p<0.0001). Enhancement of the pleura and major vessels was significantly higher in the group receiving more contrast at a greater infusion rate. This technique of a single scan through the entire pleural surface with a delayed acquisition is promising. When pleural disease is suspected, contrast infusion protocols should be modified to achieve the best results and clinicians should be encouraged to specifically request a "pleural CT".The British journal of radiology 09/2011; 84(1005):796-9. · 2.11 Impact Factor -
Article: Characteristics of general practices associated with emergency-department attendance rates: a cross-sectional study.
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ABSTRACT: Strategies are needed to contain emergency-department attendance. Quality of care in general practice might influence the use of emergency departments, including management of patients with chronic conditions and access to consultations. The aim was to determine whether emergency-department attendance rates are lower for practices with higher quality and outcomes framework performance and lower for practices with better patient reported access. A cross-sectional study. Two English primary-care trusts, Leicester City and Leicestershire County and Rutland, with 145 general practices. Using data on attendances at emergency departments in 2006/2007 and 2007/2008, a practice attendance rate was calculated for each practice. In a hierarchical negative binomial regression model, practice population characteristics (deprivation, proportion of patients aged 65 or over, ethnicity, gender) and practice characteristics (total list size, distance from the emergency department, quality and outcomes framework points, and variables measuring satisfaction with access) were included as potential explanatory variables. In both years, greater deprivation, shorter distance from the central emergency department, lower practice list size, white ethnicity and lower satisfaction with practice telephone access were associated with higher emergency-department attendance rates. Performance as indicated by the quality and outcomes framework did not predict rates of attendance at emergency departments, but satisfaction with telephone access did. Consideration should be given to improving access to some general practices to contain the use of emergency departments.BMJ quality & safety 06/2011; 20(11):953-8.
