Radiologic clinics of North America
-
Appendicitis is the most common cause of acute abdominal pain requiring surgery. Early diagnosis is crucial to the success of therapy. ⋯ MR imaging is emerging as an alternative to CT in pregnant patients and in patients who have an allergy to iodinated contrast material. This article reviews the current imaging methods and diagnostic features of appendicitis.
-
Venous thromboembolic disease is composed of two disease entities: pulmonary thromboembolism/pulmonary embolism and deep venous thrombosis. Clinical signs and symptoms of venous thromboembolic disease often are nonspecific and, as a result, the diagnosis may be difficult. If left untreated, pulmonary embolism can lead to a potentially fatal outcome. This article focuses on CT angiography as the diagnostic modality for thromboembolic pulmonary embolism and briefly discusses nonthromboembolic pulmonary embolism.
-
Cancers of the oral cavity and pharynx are the most common head and neck cancers in the United States, and squamous cell carcinoma is the most frequent histologic type. The clinical behavior and outcome of tumors in the oral cavity is distinct from those of the oropharynx. As a general rule, surgical resection is the primary treatment for oral cavity squamous cell carcinoma, whereas oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinomas are treated with radiation with or without chemotherapy. A clear understanding of the anatomy and knowledge of clinical behavior and spread patterns of oral cavity and oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma are essential for radiologists to make a meaningful contribution to the treatment of these patients.
-
Radiol. Clin. North Am. · Nov 2006
ReviewImaging of pelvic pain in the first trimester of pregnancy.
Pelvic pain during the first trimester of pregnancy can pose a challenge to the clinician. The noninvasive nature, safety, and reliability of ultrasonography make it the diagnostic method of choice for pregnant patients who have pelvic pain. Sonography provides information that allows for diagnosis of both pregnancy-related pain, such as a ruptured ectopic pregnancy, miscarriage, or threatened abortion; and may be useful in the diagnosis of pain unrelated to pregnancy, such as that seen in appendicitis and nephrolithiasis.
-
Spinal instrumentation techniques have expanded dramatically during the past several decades, but the search for the perfect operative approach and fixation system continues. Fixation devices are designed for the cervical, thoracic, lumbar, and sacral segments using anterior, posterior, transverse, videoarthroscopic, and combined approaches. ⋯ Radiologists must understand the operative and instrumentation options. Knowledge of expected results, appearance of graft material, and different forms of instrumentation is critical for evaluating position of implants and potential complications associated with operative approaches and spinal fixation devices.