Preliminary Diagnosis: Small Cell Lung Cancer I. What imaging technique is first-line for this diagnosis? CT of the chest with IV contrast. II. Describe the advantages and disadvantages of this technique for diagnosing small cell lung cancer. Advantages Can adequately assess the T stage of the tumor. Useful for identifying pleural nodules, pleural plaques, pleural/…
Preliminary Diagnosis: Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer I. What imaging technique is first-line for this diagnosis? CT of the chest with intravenous contrast II. Describe the advantages and disadvantages of this technique for diagnosis of non-small cell lung cancer. Advantages Can adequately assess the T stage of the tumor Useful for identifying pleural nodules, pleural plaques,…
Preliminary Diagnosis: Thyroid Masses I. What imaging technique is first-line for this diagnosis? Ultrasonography of the thyroid II. Describe the advantages and disadvantages of this technique for diagnosis of thyroid masses. Advantages Can detect nonpalpable nodules and sub-centimeter nodules, and differentiate between cystic and solid masses. Inexpensive and non-invasive. Can adequately assess the rest of…
Preliminary Diagnosis: Teratoma I. What imaging technique is first-line for this diagnosis Transabdominal or transvaginal ultrasound of the abdomen and pelvis. II. Describe the advantages and disadvantages of this technique for diagnosis of teratoma. Advantages Well-validated and well-investigated sonographic features that are diagnostic for teratomas. High sensitivity and very high positive predictive value (100%) when…
Preliminary Diagnosis: Solitary Pulmonary Nodule I. What imaging technique is first-line for this diagnosis? CT of the chest with IV contrast (preferably with thin sections through nodule) is the first-line imaging technique when a solitary pulmonary nodule is identified on CXR. II. Describe the advantages and disadvantages of this technique for diagnosing solitary pulmonary nodule.…
Preliminary Diagnosis: Cardiac tumors I. What imaging technique is first-line for this diagnosis? Cardiac MRI with administration of IV contrast is the first-line imaging technique for optimal characterization and definition of cardiac masses already visualized by 2D echocardiography. II. Describe the advantages and disadvantages of this technique for diagnosis of cardiac tumors. Advantages High sensitivity…
Preliminary Diagnosis: Thymoma I. What imaging technique is first-line for this diagnosis CT of the chest with IV contrast II. Describe the advantages and disadvantages of this technique for diagnosis of thymoma. Advantages Can help distinguish thymomas from other anterior mediastinal abnormalities. Can help determine extent of involvement including invasion into surrounding vasculature, pleural involvement,…
