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Robust international data support the effectiveness of stroke unit (SU) care. Despite this, most stroke care in Ireland are provided outside of this setting. Limited data currently exist on the quality of care provided. The aim of this study is to examine the quality of care for patients with stroke in two care settings—Regional General Hospital (RGH) and Stroke Rehabilitation Unit (SRU). A retrospective analysis of the stroke records of consecutive patients admitted to the SRU between May–November 2002 and April–November 2004 was performed applying the UK National Sentinel Audit of Stroke (NSAS) tool. The results of the study reveal that while SRU processes of care was 74% compliant with standards; compliance with stroke service organisational standards was only 15 and 43% in the RGH and SRU, respectively. The quality of stroke care in our area is deficient. Comprehensive reorganisation of stroke services is imperative. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Robust international data supports the effectiveness of stroke unit (SU) care. Despite this, most stroke care in Ireland is provided outside of this setting. Limited data currently exist on the quality of care provided. The aim of this study is to examine the quality of care for patients with stroke in two care settings—regional general hospital (RGH) and stroke rehabilitation unit (SRU). A retrospective analysis of the stroke records of consecutive patients admitted to the SRU between May–November 2002 and April–November 2004 was performed applying the UK National Sentinel Audit of Stroke (NSAS) tool. The results of the study reveal that while SRU processes of care was 74% compliant with standards; compliance with stroke service organisational standards was only 15 and 43% in the RGH and SRU respectively. The quality of comprehensive organised stroke care in our area is deficient. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The quality of magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography (MRCP) images is frequently degraded by high signal from the gastrointestinal tract. The aim of this study is to evaluate pineapple juice (PJ) as an oral negative contrast agent in MRCP. Preliminary in vitro evaluation demonstrated that PJ shortened T(2) relaxation time and hence decreased T(2) signal intensity on a standard MRCP sequence to a similar degree to a commercially available negative contrast agent (ferumoxsil). Electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometry assay demonstrated a high manganese concentration in PJ of 2.76 mg dl(-1), which is likely to be responsible for its T(2) imaging properties. MRCP was subsequently performed in 10 healthy volunteers, before and at 15 min and 30 min following ingestion of 400 ml of PJ. Images were assessed blindly by two Consultant Radiologists using a standard grading technique based on contrast effect (degree of suppression of bowel signal), and image effect (diagnostic quality). There were statistically significant improvements in contrast and image effect between pre and post PJ images. There was particularly significant improvement in visualization of the pancreatic duct, but no significant difference between 15 min and 30 min post PJ images. Visualization of the ampulla, common bile duct, common hepatic and central intrahepatic ducts were also significantly improved at 15 min following PJ. Our results demonstrate that PJ, may be used as an alternative to commercially available negative oral contrast agent in MRCP. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: To investigate whether resorption of tungsten coils occurs in patients with varicoceles treated by endovascular embolization of the spermatic vein.Methods: Patients who had previously had varicocele embolization were requested by letter to attend the radiology department. Blood levels of tungsten were compared with a group of controls. Fluoroscopic images of the coils were taken and compared with those obtained during the original procedures.Results: Nineteen patients attended, whose procedure had been done 19-57 months previously (mean 40 months). Blood levels of tungsten were raised in 18 patients compared with the controls. Radiographic evidence of loss of substance of the coils was seen in four patients.Conclusion: Tungsten coil resorption occurs in varicocele embolization. In view of the unknown long-term effects of raised blood tungsten levels and the availability of alternative embolization agents, we feel that it is unwise to persist in the use of tungsten coils in this application. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Intramural haematoma of the oesophagus is an uncommon and under-recognized condition. It may mimic other causes of chest pain, haematemesis, or dysphagia, and hence pose a diagnostic challenge. We report a case of an unusual presentation of intramural haematoma of the oesophagus occurring as a presumed complication of endotracheal intubation. It was disguised as acute onset post-operative chest pain, and resolved with conservative management. Awareness of this uncommon complication is important to allow rapid and timely diagnosis and management. We review the literature, causes and imaging features of this condition. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]