The primary goal of this book was to create a concise text on current
radiologic imaging for medical students and residents not specializing in
radiology. After the first two introductory chapters, subsequent chapters
employ an organ-system approach. Imaging techniques pertinent to the organ
system, including their appropriate indications and use, are presented.
Question-oriented exercises highlight the most commonly encountered diseases
for each organ system.
The first chapter
describes the various diagnostic imaging techniques that are available:
conventional radiography, nuclear medicine, ultrasonography, computed
tomography (CT), and magnetic resonance (MR) imaging. In recent years, many
new techniques, such as CT angiography, CT colonography, MR angiography, MR
cholangiopancreatography, and positron emission tomography (PET)/CT have
emerged with new generations of CT and MR equipment. The second chapter
gives an overview of the physics of radiation and its related biological
effects, ultrasound, and magnetic resonance imaging. The remaining chapters
focus on the individual organ systems of the heart, lungs, breast, bones,
joints, abdomen, urinary tract, gastrointestinal tract, liver, biliary
system, pancreas, brain, and spine. The chapters have a similar format to
provide a consistent presentation. Each chapter briefly describes recent
developments in the radiologic imaging of these organ systems. This is
followed by a description of the normal anatomy and a discussion of the most
appropriate and rational imaging techniques for evaluating each organ
system. Each chapter stresses the proper selection of each imaging
examination based on clinical presentation, need for patient preparation,
and potential conflicts between techniques. Finally, all chapters end with
questions and imaging exercises to enhance and reinforce the principles of
each chapter. All exercises include numerous images and specific questions
focusing on common diseases or symptoms. One question per case is used in
all exercises, and the case and question numbers are matched for clarity. A
short list of suggested readings and general references is included at the
end of each chapter.
We hope that this book will
help medical students and residents not specializing in radiology to better
comprehend the basics of each imaging technique. Ideally, this book will
also aid them in selecting and requesting the most appropriate imaging
modality for each patient's presenting symptoms. Our further hope is that
the interactive exercises presented will familiarize readers with the more
common diseases that current radiologic imaging can best evaluate.
We wish to thank Allen D. Elster, MD, Director of the
Division of Radiologic Sciences and Professor and Chairman of the Department
of Radiology of the Wake Forest University School of Medicine, and C.
Douglas Maynard, MD, now retired former Director of Division of Radiologic
Sciences and Professor and Chairman of the Department of Radiology of the
Wake Forest University School of Medicine, who have provided us with the
supportive environment needed to complete this endeavor. This book would not
have been possible without the able support of Michael Weitz, Karen
Edmonson, Laura Libretti, and their fine associates at Lange Medical
Books/McGraw-Hill.