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Review
. 2009 Jan;55(1):32-7.

Role of radiology in geriatric care: a primer for family physicians

Jeremy O'Brien  1 , Mark O Baerlocher, Murray Asch, Andy Myers
Affiliations
Review

Role of radiology in geriatric care: a primer for family physicians

Jeremy O'Brien et al. Can Fam Physician. 2009 Jan.

Abstract
in English, French

Objective: To present family physicians with the options available for diagnosing and treating a selection of common diseases in the elderly using diagnostic and interventional radiology.

Quality of evidence: Articles providing level I or II evidence were included in our review. Most articles presented results from randomized or other case-controlled studies.

Main message: Geriatric care has become a complicated, multidisciplinary effort, with the family physician often leading the team. The expanding cohort of patients is not only better informed than their predecessors, but also more demanding of better care through cutting-edge technology and treatment. Specifically, the role of radiology has expanded quickly in geriatric medicine. Because of complex clinical presentations and rising costs, it is essential for primary care physicians to understand the appropriate use of imaging and radiological intervention.

Conclusion: There are a number of new and innovative radiological techniques and procedures available for elderly patients. This review aims to inform primary care physicians of a selected number of these techniques.

OBJECTIF: Présenter aux médecins de famille les options disponibles pour diagnostiquer et traiter un certain nombre de maladies fréquentes chez les personnes âgées à l’aide de la radiologie diagnostique et d’intervention.

QUALITÉ DES PREUVES: Notre revue comporte des articles contenant des preuves de niveau I ou II. Dans la plupart des articles, les résultats provenaient d’essais cliniques randomisés ou d’études cas-témoin.

PRINCIPAL MESSAGE: Les soins gériatriques exigent maintenant des interventions complexes d’une équipe multidisciplinaires dont le médecin de famille est souvent le chef. La cohorte grandissante de ces patients est non seulement mieux informée que les précédentes, mais elle exige aussi de meilleurs soins basés sur les plus récents développements technologiques et thérapeutiques. Ainsi, le rôle de la radiologie a connu un essor rapide en médecine gériatrique. Compte tenu de la complexité des cas et de l’augmentation des coûts, il est essentiel que le médecin de première ligne connaisse l’utilisation appropriée de l’imagerie et des interventions radiologiques.

CONCLUSION: Il existe maintenant un certain nombre de techniques radiologiques nouvelles et innovatrices pour les patients âgés. Cette revue vise à faire connaître certaines de ces techniques aux médecins de première ligne.

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Computed tomographic angiography of the lower extremities
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Gastrojejunal tube placement
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Inferior vena cava filter with large filling defect
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Duodenal stent (preplacement)
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Figure 5
Duodenal stent (postplacement)
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