Preliminary Diagnosis: Transient Ischemic Attack I. What imaging technique is first-line for this diagnosis? Non-contrast CT of the brain with CTA of the head and neck. II. Describe the advantages and disadvantages of this technique for diagnosis of transient ischemic attack. Advantages Relatively inexpensive, fast imaging modality. Highly specific for hemorrhage.Continue Reading CTA of the…
Preliminary Diagnosis: Normal Pressure Hydrocephalus I. What imaging technique is first-line for this diagnosis? Non-contrast CT of the brain II. Describe the advantages and disadvantages of this technique for diagnosis of normal pressure hydrocephalus. Advantages Relatively inexpensive, fast imaging modality compared with companion MR imaging Able to evaluate osseous structures Disadvantages Exposes the patient to…
Preliminary Diagnosis: Cerebellar Degeneration 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 cerebellar degeneration. Advantages Less expensive than MRI Faster to peform than MRI Disadvantages Exposes patients to ionizing radiation.Continue Reading III. What are the contraindications for…
Preliminary Diagnosis: Mycotic Aneurysm I. What imaging technique is first-line for this diagnosis? The first-line imaging modality is CTA imaging with IV contrast of the area of concern II. Describe the advantages and disadvantages of this technique for diagnosis of mycotic aneurysm. Advantages May help guide and plan percutaneous intervention Offers exquisite visualization of the…
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…
Preliminary Diagnosis: Carotid Stenosis I. What imaging technique is first-line for this diagnosis? Ultrasound with Doppler interrogation and spectral waveform imaging II. Describe the advantages and disadvantages of this technique for diagnosis of carotid stenosis. Advantages Relatively inexpensive Does not use ionizing radiation Can compare both left and right carotid vasculatureContinue Reading Useful for detecting…
Preliminary Diagnosis: Basal Cell Carcinoma I. What imaging technique is first-line for this diagnosis? Most lesions are superficial and are not imaged. II. Describe the advantages and disadvantages of this technique for diagnosis of basal cell carcinoma. Not applicable III. What are the contraindications for the first-line imaging technique? Not applicableContinue Reading IV. What alternative…
Preliminary Diagnosis: Squamous cell carcinoma of the skin I. What imaging technique is first-line for this diagnosis CT with contrast II. Describe the advantages and disadvantages of this technique for diagnosis of squamous cell carcinoma of the skin. Advantages Relatively quick and inexpensive imaging modality. Offers exquisite detail of the surrounding osseous structures. Disadvantages Exposes…
Preliminary Diagnosis: Ascites I. What imaging technique is first-line for this diagnosis The first line imaging technique is a plain radiograph of the abdomen. II. Describe the advantages and disadvantages of this technique for diagnosis of Ascites. Plain radiography is a quick and relative portable imaging modality. Plain radiography exposes patients to minimal ionizing radiation.…
Preliminary Diagnosis: Portal Hypertension I. What imaging technique is first-line for this diagnosis? Ultrasound of the liver utilizing gray scale, Color Doppler, and spectrum wave form analysis sonographic imaging. II. Describe the advantages and disadvantages of this technique for diagnosing portal hypertension. Advantages Highly portable and quick imaging modality. Does not expose patients to ionizing…
