Basic Radiology 2nd(ID:5)

 


Preface

Our main goal in this book was the creation of a concise text on current radiologic imaging for medical students and residents interested in radiology. After two introductory chapters, an organ-system approach is followed. Applicable imaging techniques and their use and indications are discussed in each organ-related chapter. Question-oriented exercises targeting common diseases in each organ system are included.

The first chapter describes the various diagnostic imaging techniques that are available: conventional radiography, nuclear medicine, ultrasonography, computed tomography, and magnetic resonance imaging. In recent years, many new techniques such as CT angiography, CT colonography, MR angiography, and MR cholangiopancreatography have emerged as new generations of CT and MR equipment have been developed. The second chapter introduces the physics of radiation and its related biological effects and basic technical considerations for ultrasound and magnetic resonance imaging. The remaining chapters focus on individual organ systems, including the heart, lungs, breast, bones, joints, abdomen, urinary tract, alimentary tract, liver, biliary system, pancreas, brain, and spine. These organ-based chapters are similarly structured for consistency. Each chapter first briefly describes the relevant recent imaging developments within each organ system and then the imaging techniques that are applicable for evaluating each organ system are reviewed and the normal anatomy is illustrated. Commonly used radiologic techniques in all areas are described in the first chapter so that repetition is avoided. Then each chapter discusses the selection of appropriate techniques with an emphasis on the proper sequencing of imaging examinations. These choices are based on the clinical presentation, the need for patient preparation and potential conflicts between techniques. The final section of these chapters is the imaging exercises with questions. Each exercise consists of 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 match for clarity. A short list of recent pertinent general readings and 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 understand and select the many imaging modalities now available for examining their patients. Our further hope is that the interactive exercises presented will familiarize our readers with the more common diseases that current radiologic imaging can most effectively 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 also not have been possible without the able support of Martin J. Wonsiewicz, Marc Strauss, Shelley Reinhardt, and their fine associates at Lange Medical Books/McGraw-Hill and Jackie Henry at Techbooks.