I. What every physician needs to know. Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is an autoimmune disease that can present with a constellation of symptoms, most commonly including arthritis, rash, hematologic disease, kidney disease, and inflammation of the serosal surfaces of the heart and lungs. However, SLE may target nearly any tissue in the body and mimic…
Preliminary Diagnosis: Intracerebral Hemorrhage I. What imaging technique is first-line for this diagnosis Noncontrast CT of the brain II. Describe the advantages and disadvantages of this technique for diagnosis of an intracerebral hemorrhage. Advantages Relatively inexpensive and more efficient and faster imaging modality compared to MR imaging Very specific and sensitive in evaluating for intracerebral…
Preliminary Diagnosis: Zollinger-Ellison Syndrome I. What imaging technique is first-line for this diagnosis? The first line imaging modality is ultrasound of the pancreas and surrounding abdominal organs. (Endoscopic sonography offers better evaluation than transabdominal sonography). II. Describe the advantages and disadvantages of this technique for diagnosing Zollinger Ellison-Syndrome. Advantages Highly portable. Does not expose patients…
Preliminary Diagnosis: Vertebrobasilar insufficiency I. What imaging technique is first-line for this diagnosis Non-contrast CT of the head with CTA of the head and neck is the first-line imaging modality. II. Describe the advantages and disadvantages of this technique for diagnosis of vertebrobasilar insufficiency. Advantages Relatively fast and inexpensive imaging modality compared with companion MR/MRA…
Preliminary Diagnosis: Vasculitis I. What imaging technique is first-line for this diagnosis? MR imaging (with and without contrast) of the area of concern. MRA (with and/or without contrast) imaging may additionally be performed. II. Describe the advantages and disadvantages of this technique for diagnosing vasculitis. Advantages Highly sensitive and specific in detecting, detailing, and characterizing…
Preliminary Diagnosis: Varicose Veins I. What imaging technique is first-line for this diagnosis? Ultrasound of the vessel of concern. II. Describe the advantages and disadvantages of this technique for diagnosing varicose veins. Advantages Highly portable imaging modality. Does not expose patients to ionizing radiation. Highly adept in detailing the velocity and directionality of the flow…
Preliminary Diagnosis: Trigeminal neuralgia I. What imaging technique is first-line for this diagnosis Contrast MR of the brain according to trigeminal protocol with thin axial cuts II. Describe the advantages and disadvantages of this technique for diagnosis of trigeminal neuralgia. Advantages Able to exquisitely detail the trigeminal nerves from the root entry zone distally through…
Preliminary Diagnosis: Tricuspid stenosis I. What imaging technique is first-line for this diagnosis? Echocardiography (transesophageal offers better resolution compared with transthoracic) II. Describe the advantages and disadvantages of this technique for diagnosis of tricuspid stenosis. Advantages Highly portable, fast, and relatively inexpensive imaging modality. Does not expose patients to ionizing radiation. Offers exquisite visualization of…
Preliminary Diagnosis: Tricuspid regurgitation I. What imaging technique is first-line for this diagnosis Transthoracic 2-D echocardiography II. Describe the advantages and disadvantages of this technique for diagnosis of tricuspid regurgitation. Advantages Offers exquisite anatomical and functional imaging. Does not expose patients to ionizing radiation. Detects pressure gradients and velocities across a diseased valve and helps…
Preliminary Diagnosis: Tracheomalacia I. What imaging technique is first-line for this diagnosis Dynamic airway fluoroscopy. II. Describe the advantages and disadvantages of this technique for diagnosis of tracheomalacia. Advantages Highly portable, inexpensive, and fast imaging modality. Highly sensitive for tracheomalacia Exposes patients to minimal ionizing radiation. Disadvantages Low specificity for detailing findings of tracheomalacia and…
