MATERIALS AND METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed ultrasound and CT images for 146 patients with clinical suspicion of cholecystitis from January 2013 until December 2018. Ultrasound criteria reviewed included calculus, wall thickening, pericholecystic fluid, gallbladder distension and presence of echogenic material within the gallbladder. For CT, criteria reviewed were wall thickening, gallbladder distension, mucosal enhancement, pericholecystic fluid and hyperdense bile with an attenuation value of more than 20 HU. Association of these findings was made with intraoperative and pathological findings of 85 patients with proven gallbladder empyema.
RESULTS: Sonographic signs that were statistically significantly associated with gallbladder empyema (p < 0.05) were thickened gallbladder wall (mean 5.4 versus 3.0 mm), distended gallbladder (mean 8.5 versus 6.4cm), pericholecystic fluid and echogenic material within the gallbladder. No significant association between gallstones and gallbladder empyema. Scores of two and more out of four significant sonographic findings were found to have an association with higher chances of developing gallbladder empyema (p < 0.05, odds ratio: 10). None of the CT features was found to be significant with gallbladder empyema (p > 0.05).
CONCLUSION: A combination of few ultrasound features has a high significant association with gallbladder empyema. Thus, in the proper clinical setting, these findings should alarm the sonographic operator on the possibility of gallbladder empyema.
METHOD: This was a retrospective study in which high-resolution computed tomography images of paediatric patients with severe-to-profound sensorineural hearing loss were reviewed. A cochlear nerve canal diameter of 1.5 mm or less in the axial plane was classified as stenotic. Semicircular canals and other bony labyrinth morphology and abnormality were evaluated.
RESULTS: Cochlear nerve canal stenosis was detected in 65 out of 265 ears (24 per cent). Of the 65 ears, 17 ears had abnormal semicircular canals (26 per cent). Significant correlation was demonstrated between cochlear nerve canal stenosis and semicircular canal abnormalities (p < 0.01). Incomplete partition type II was the most common accompanying abnormality of cochlear nerve canal stenosis (15 out of 65, 23 per cent).
CONCLUSION: Cochlear nerve canal stenosis is statistically associated with semicircular canal abnormalities. Whenever a cochlear nerve canal stenosis is present in a patient with sensorineural hearing loss, the semicircular canal should be scrutinised for presence of abnormalities.
METHODS: CT scans of the neck of two hundred patients were analysed by two groups of raters. For thyrohyoid approach, mean distance from the superior border of the thyroid cartilage to the laryngeal cavity (THd) and mean angle from the superior border of the thyroid cartilage to mid-true cords (THa) were measured. For transthyroid approach, mean distance from mid-thyroid cartilage to mid-true cords (TTd) and Hounsfield unit (HU) at mid-thyroid cartilage (TTc) were measured. For cricothyroid approach, mean distance from the inferior border of the thyroid cartilage to the laryngeal cavity (CTd) and mean angle from the inferior border of the thyroid cartilage to mid-true cords (CTa) were measured.
RESULTS: There were statistically significant differences between males and females for all measurements except for CTa (p 0.05). There was a significant fair positive correlation between age and TTc (p = 0.0002). For all measurements obtained, there were moderate to excellent inter-group consistency and intra-rater reliability.
CONCLUSION: This study demonstrated a significant sex dimorphism that may influence the three TIL approaches except for needle angulation in the cricothyroid approach. The knowledge of laryngeal dimension is important to increase success in TIL procedure.