MRI Chest Without and With IV Contrast Although MRI can readily detect pulmonary and pleural infection, there are no data to support the use of MRI chest without and with IV contrast as an initial diagnostic imaging study in the diagnosis of sepsis. MRI Chest Without IV Contrast Although MRI can readily detect pulmonary and pleural infection, there are no data to support the use of MRI chest without IV contrast as an initial diagnostic imaging study in the diagnosis of sepsis. Nuclear Medicine Scan Gallbladder There are no data to support the use of nuclear medicine scan gallbladder as an initial diagnostic imaging study in the diagnosis of sepsis. Radiography Abdomen Although abdominal radiography is portable and rapidly acquired (which is of obvious benefit for a suspected or confirmed septic patient), it rarely provides a definitive diagnosis in the setting of sepsis. It may provide information that increases the probability of an abdominal source such as pneumoperitoneum, but these findings would be suspected by physical examination and would still necessitate further evaluation with CT or US regardless [15,16]. Radiography Chest Chest radiography is a commonly obtained study in the ED because of its portability and rapid acquisition. Additionally, it has the potential of providing valuable information as an initial screening tool for pneumonia, particularly in patients with sepsis who may not be able to provide a history. Furthermore, chest radiography is commonly obtained in septic patients for the evaluation of adequate placement of external devices such as endotracheal tubes and central venous catheters at which time radiologists can concurrently evaluate for an underlying source of infection. Capp et al [8] performed a retrospective study of ED patients admitted to the ICU with the diagnosis of severe sepsis or septic shock over a 12 month period and evaluated the accuracy of chest radiography in the diagnosis of pneumonia.
Sepsis. MRI Chest Without and With IV Contrast Although MRI can readily detect pulmonary and pleural infection, there are no data to support the use of MRI chest without and with IV contrast as an initial diagnostic imaging study in the diagnosis of sepsis. MRI Chest Without IV Contrast Although MRI can readily detect pulmonary and pleural infection, there are no data to support the use of MRI chest without IV contrast as an initial diagnostic imaging study in the diagnosis of sepsis. Nuclear Medicine Scan Gallbladder There are no data to support the use of nuclear medicine scan gallbladder as an initial diagnostic imaging study in the diagnosis of sepsis. Radiography Abdomen Although abdominal radiography is portable and rapidly acquired (which is of obvious benefit for a suspected or confirmed septic patient), it rarely provides a definitive diagnosis in the setting of sepsis. It may provide information that increases the probability of an abdominal source such as pneumoperitoneum, but these findings would be suspected by physical examination and would still necessitate further evaluation with CT or US regardless [15,16]. Radiography Chest Chest radiography is a commonly obtained study in the ED because of its portability and rapid acquisition. Additionally, it has the potential of providing valuable information as an initial screening tool for pneumonia, particularly in patients with sepsis who may not be able to provide a history. Furthermore, chest radiography is commonly obtained in septic patients for the evaluation of adequate placement of external devices such as endotracheal tubes and central venous catheters at which time radiologists can concurrently evaluate for an underlying source of infection. Capp et al [8] performed a retrospective study of ED patients admitted to the ICU with the diagnosis of severe sepsis or septic shock over a 12 month period and evaluated the accuracy of chest radiography in the diagnosis of pneumonia.