Preliminary Diagnosis: Endometriosis I. What imaging technique is first-line for this diagnosis? Pelvic ultrasound. II. Describe the advantages and disadvantages of this technique for diagnosing endometriosis. Advantages Does not use ionizing radiation. Can easily evaluate the involved structures. Disadvantages Cannot exam all parts of the lower abdomen and pelvis. Requires a skilled technician. May be…
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…
Preliminary Diagnosis: Pneumothorax I. What imaging technique is first-line for this diagnosis? Chest X-ray II. Describe the advantages and disadvantages of this technique for diagnosing pneumothorax. Advantages Inexpensive. Quick. Minimal Ionizing radiation. Disadvantages Difficult to see small pneumothorax or an apical bleb. III. What are the contraindications for the first-line imaging technique? Relative contraindications include…
Preliminary Diagnosis: Gout I. What imaging technique is first-line for this diagnosis? Plain radiographs II. Describe the advantages and disadvantages of this technique for diagnosis of gout. Advantages Clearly visualizes dense gouty tophi and osseous erosions Clearly visualizes overhanging cortical edges and juxtaarticular erosions extending perpendicularly from the underlying bone Disadvantages Radiographs often normal in…
Preliminary Diagnosis: Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm I. What imaging technique is first-line for this diagnosis? CT with contrast/CT angiogram II. Describe the advantages and disadvantages of this technique for diagnosis of abdominal aortic aneurysm. Advantages Distinguishes residual lumen from mural thrombus, leaking or ruptured aneurysm Delineates branch vessel anatomy Good for evaluation after endovascular repair Disadvantages…
Preliminary Diagnosis: Rectovaginal Fistulas I. What imaging technique is first-line for this diagnosis? Contrast enema with barium or water-soluble contrast. II. Describe the advantages and disadvantages of this technique for diagnosing rectovaginal fistulas. Advantages Specific examination as entry point with contrast near the diseased segment of bowel. Can easily and quickly identify the location, length,…
Preliminary Diagnosis: Chylothorax I. What imaging technique is first-line for this diagnosis? Plain radiographs II. Describe the advantages and disadvantages of this technique for diagnosis of chylothorax. Advantages Sensitive for a pleural effusion often found on the left side Quick InexpensiveContinue Reading Minimal exposure to ionizing radiation Disadvantage Cannot assess contents of pleural fluid or…
Preliminary Diagnosis: Cholesterol Emboli Syndrome I. What imaging technique is first-line for this diagnosis? CT with intravenous contrast II. Describe the advantages and disadvantages of this technique for diagnosis of cholesterol emboli syndrome. Advantages Specific to identify calcified and soft plaque using thin slices and reconstructions Relatively inexpensive Quick procedureContinue Reading Can visualize complications including…
Preliminary Diagnosis: Cardiomyopathy I. What imaging technique is first-line for this diagnosis? 2-D echocardiography II. Describe the advantages and disadvantages of this technique for diagnosis of cardiomyopathy. Advantages Can assess for chamber dilatation, myocardial wall thinning or thickening, abnormal ejection fraction and increased end-diastolic volume, systolic obstruction DiagnosticContinue Reading Disadvantages Imaging may be limited by…
Preliminary Diagnosis: Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome I. What imaging technique is first-line for this diagnosis? CT of the chest without contrast II. Describe the advantages and disadvantages of this technique for diagnosising Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome. Advantages Identifies features associated with ARDS, including intense pulmonary (parenchymal) opacification, ground glass opacities, plueral effusions, lobar atelectasis, lung…
