Preliminary Diagnosis: Bronchiectasis I. What imaging technique is first-line for this diagnosis? Chest radiograph: PA and lateral views II. Describe the advantages and disadvantages of this technique for diagnosis of bronchiectasis. Advantages Relatively inexpensive and fast imaging modality Highly portable Exposes the patient to minimal ionizing radiation Disadvantages Less sensitive and specific in locating the…
Preliminary Diagnosis: Bronchiolitis I. What imaging technique is first-line for this diagnosis? Chest radiographs: PA and lateral views II. Describe the advantages and disadvantages of this technique for diagnosis of bronchiolitis. Advantages Relatively inexpensive, fast imaging modality Highly portable Exposes the patient to negligible radiation Disadvantages Highly sensitive but less specific in detailing any underlying…
Preliminary Diagnosis: Amyloidosis I. What imaging technique is first-line for this diagnosis? Amyloidosis is a histological diagnosis. However, some imaging modalities may suggest amyloidosis in the correct clinical setting. A first-line imaging modality is CT imaging of the area of interest with IV and oral contrast. II. Describe the advantages and disadvantages of this technique…
Preliminary Diagnosis: Ectopic Pregnancy I. What imaging technique is first-line for this diagnosis? The first line imaging modality is a Gray Scale and Color Doppler sonographic evaluation of the pelvis (transvaginal and/or transabdominal). II. Describe the advantages and disadvantages of this technique for diagnosing ectopic pregnancy. Advantages Sonographic imaging does not expose patients to ionizing…
Preliminary Diagnosis: Testicular Cancer I. What imaging technique is first-line for this diagnosis? Ultrasound of the scrotum and bilateral testicles. II. Describe the advantages and disadvantages of this technique for diagnosing testicular cancer. Advantages Highly portable and does not expose patients to ionizing radiation. Details the velocity and direction of vascular flow. May help guide…
Preliminary Diagnosis: Prostate Cancer I. What imaging technique is first-line for this diagnosis? Prostatic ultrasound. II. Describe the advantages and disadvantages of this technique for diagnosing prostate cancer. Advantages Moderately sensitive and specific in detecting, detailing, and characterizing prostate abnormalities, such as cancer. May help guide biopsy. Highly specific in characterizing the vascularity of a…
Preliminary Diagnosis: Appendicitis I. What imaging technique is first-line for this diagnosis? CT scan of the abdomen and pelvis with IV and without oral contrast II. Describe the advantages and disadvantages of this technique for diagnosis of appendicitis. Advantages CT scanning is diagnostic for appendicitis and can detail any secondary complications such as periappendiceal abscesses,…
Preliminary Diagnosis: Sinusitis I. What imaging technique is first-line for this diagnosis? CT sinuses with and without contrast with coronal and sagittal reconstructions. II. Describe the advantages and disadvantages of this technique for diagnosing sinusitis. Advantages Relatively inexpensive and fast imaging modality. Evaluates the adjacent osseous structures for underlying erosion and can date the chronicity…
Preliminary Diagnosis: Mastoiditis I. What imaging technique is first-line for this diagnosis CT of the brain without contrast. CT Temporal Bone without contrast may additionally be performed for more coned down views of the mastoid air cells and associated temporal bone structures. II. Describe the advantages and disadvantages of this technique for diagnosis of mastoiditis.…
Preliminary Diagnosis: Peritonsillar abscess I. What imaging technique is first-line for this diagnosis? CT soft tissue neck with contrast II. Describe the advantages and disadvantages of this technique for diagnosis of peritonsillar abscess. Advantages Relatively inexpensive, fast imaging modality. Able to differentiate neck pathology from adjacent vascular structures, lymph nodes, and osseous structures with great…
