The use of computed tomography (CT) in emergency departments has increased over several decades, as physicians increasingly depend on imaging for diagnoses. Patients and medical personnel are put at risk due to frequent exposure to and higher levels of radiation, with very little evidence of improvements in outcomes. Here, we explore why CT imaging has a tendency to be overused in emergency departments and the obstacles that medical personnel face in ensuring patient safety. The solution requires cooperation from all emergency care stakeholders as well as the continuous education of doctors on how CT scans help in particular cases.
Vascular air embolism (VAE) is a known complication of contrast-enhanced CT (CECT) scan occurring in venous or arterial circulation with a wide spectrum of presentations. We report a case of a 44-year-old woman with endometrial adenocarcinoma stage IVB complicated with liver abscess and pulmonary embolism who developed VAE following a routine CECT scan after the sixth cycle of chemotherapy. This was an incidental finding and the patient remained asymptomatic throughout. As such, she was treated conservatively and gradually recovered. This case report serves as a reminder that VAE should be considered in patients presenting with unexplained symptoms following this procedure.
Computed tomography (CT) is a widely used imaging modality. Although hyponatremia after CT imaging is rare, its effects can be devastating. Hyperosmolar radiocontrast acts as effective osmoles and causes fluid migration from intracellular into extracellular compartment. Dilutional hyponatremia will ensue if translocation of fluid is in excess of diuresis. This case report detailed an unusual case of acute symptomatic hyponatremia after CT renal protocol and the treatments given after its recognition.