Explore the vast range of titles available.

ObjectivesTo evaluate the diagnostic performance of a dual-energy computed tomography (DECT)-based technique using iodine quantification and fat fraction analysis for the diagnosis of early acute pancreatitisMethodsIn this retrospective study, 45 patients (35 men and 10 women; mean age, 54.9 ± 14.0 years) with early acute pancreatitis were included. Serum lipase levels and follow-up examinations served as the reference standard. A matched control group (n = 45) was assembled for evaluation of material decomposition values of normal pancreatic parenchyma. Three blinded radiologists independently interpreted all cases on conventional grayscale DECT series. In addition, readers re-evaluated all cases by manually performing region-of-interest (ROI) measurements on pancreatic-phase DECT material density images of the head, body, and tail of each patient’s pancreas. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis was performed to estimate the optimal threshold for discriminating between inflammatory and normal pancreas parenchyma.ResultsDECT-based iodine density values showed significant differences between inflammatory (1.8 ± 0.3 mg/mL) and normal pancreatic parenchyma (2.7 ± 0.7 mg/mL) (p ≤ 0.01). Fat fraction measurements showed no significant differences (p = 0.08). The optimal iodine density threshold for the diagnosis of acute pancreatitis was 2.1 mg/mL with a sensitivity of 96% and specificity of 77%. Iodine quantification revealed an area under the curve (AUC) of 0.86, significantly higher compared to standard image evaluation of the radiologists (AUC, 0.80; sensitivity, 78%; specificity, 82%) (p < 0.01).ConclusionDECT using iodine quantification allows for diagnosis of early acute pancreatitis with higher sensitivity compared to standard image evaluation.Key Points• Iodine density values showed significant differences between inflammatory and normal pancreatic parenchyma.• DECT using iodine quantification allows for diagnosis of early acute pancreatitis.• An iodine density of ≤ 2.1 mg/mL optimizes the diagnosis of acute pancreatitis.

Ectopic pregnancy (EP) is a life-threatening condition requiring a high clinical suspicion. This diagnosis must be considered in all female patients of reproductive age presenting with abdominal pain or discomfort who may possibly be pregnant. Ectopic pregnancies occur in a small percentage of all pregnancies and are a significant cause of maternal morbidity and mortality. Abdominal ectopic pregnancy (AEP) is a rare and potentially fatal form of ectopic pregnancy where the implantation occurs in the abdominal cavity. We present the following case of a 23-year-old female who was transferred following an initial workup for abdominal pain and subsequently found to have an abdominal ectopic pregnancy at 37 weeks gestation. After transferring to our emergency department, the patient continued to have abdominal pain and her presenting FAST exam was positive for free fluid concerning for active hemorrhage and hematoma. Her clinical presentation was consistent with ruptured abdominal ectopic pregnancy, and she was taken to the operating room for emergent exploratory laparotomy and delivery. Her clinical course was complicated by adherent placenta and re-bleeding with significant hemoperitoneum requiring re-entry laparotomy and transfusion. We present the details of this case along with the diagnostic imaging and management of the rarely seen and life-threatening condition of secondary abdominal ectopic pregnancy (AEP).