Preliminary Diagnosis: Abdominal Fistulas I. What imaging technique is first-line for this diagnosis? CT with oral and intravenous contrast II. Describe the advantages and disadvantages of this technique for diagnosis of abdominal fistulas. Advantages Quick examination after allowing oral contrast to migrate through the bowel Specific examination in identifying a particular place of bowel abnormality…
Preliminary Diagnosis: Chronic Venous Insufficiency I. What imaging technique is first-line for this diagnosis? Ultrasound with Gray Scale, pulsed Doppler, and Color Doppler imaging. II. Describe the advantages and disadvantages of this technique for diagnosis of chronic venous insufficiency. Advantages Gray-scale Imaging defines vein lumen, valve leaflets, and vein wall; assesses vein compressibility; and evaluates…
Preliminary Diagnosis: Acromioclavicular arthritis I. What imaging technique is first-line for this diagnosis? AP radiographs of the acromioclavicular joint May need additional axillary films (shows posterior dislocation), Zanka (10- to 15-degree cephalad angulation), and/or stress views (10-15 pounds suspended by straps at the wrists) II. Describe the advantages and disadvantages of this technique for diagnosis…
Preliminary Diagnosis: Chondrocalcinosis I. What imaging technique is first-line for this diagnosis? Plain radiographs II. Describe the advantages and disadvantages of this technique for diagnosis of chondrocalcinosis. Advantages May be diagnostic Arthropathy related to long-standing disease can be shown with peculiar patterns of structural joint damage that suggest the diagnosis Quick imaging procedureContinue Reading Requires…
Preliminary Diagnosis: Fractures I. What imaging technique is first-line for this diagnosis? Plain radiography. II. Describe the advantages and disadvantages of this technique for diagnosing fractures. Advantages Diagnostic of fractures when radiologically evident step-off disruption of the cortex (cortices) is noted. Quick imaging procedure.Continue Reading Requires minimal patient cooperation. Low cost procedure. Readily available. Disadvantages…
Preliminary Diagnosis: Choriocarcinoma/Molar Preganancy I. What imaging technique is first-line for this diagnosis? Ultrasound with Doppler interrogation II. Describe the advantages and disadvantages of this technique for diagnosis of choriocarcinoma/molar pregnancy. Advantages Quick Inexpensive Fairly specific and sensitiveContinue Reading Requires no ionizing radiation Disadvantages Difficult to assess for extrauterine and extrapelvic metastases Not as specific…
Preliminary Diagnosis: Plantar Fasciitis I. What imaging technique is first-line for this diagnosis? MRI of the foot without contrast II. Describe the advantages and disadvantages of this technique for diagnosing plantar fasciitis. Advantages Diagnostic modality to evaluate the anatomy of the plantar fascia, including the medial, central, and lateral cords. Diagnostic modality to evaluate for…
Preliminary Diagnosis: Hepatomegaly I. What imaging technique is first-line for this diagnosis Ultrasound with measurement of the liver in the longitudinal plane. II. Describe the advantages and disadvantages of this technique for diagnosis of hepatomegaly. Advantages Quick, inexpensive No ionizing radiation Disadvantages Operator dependent to obtain accurate longitudinal measurements of the liverContinue Reading III. What…
Preliminary Diagnosis: Cholecystitis I. What imaging technique is first-line for this diagnosis? Ultrasound II. Describe the advantages and disadvantages of this technique for diagnosis of cholecystitis. Advantages Relatively inexpensive Quick Does not use ionizing radiationContinue Reading Disadvantages Difficult to assess gallbladder if patient just ate or gallbladder is contracted Difficult to assess if patient has…
Preliminary Diagnosis: Constrictive Pericarditis I. What imaging technique is first-line for this diagnosis? Echocardiogram. II. Describe the advantages and disadvantages of this technique for diagnosing constrictive pericarditis. Advantages Does not require ionizing radiation. Inexpensive.Continue Reading Allows for dynamic assessment of the heart and the left ventricle. Can identify pericardial effusion. May be semi-invasive if transesophageal…
