Preliminary Diagnosis: Pericarditis I. What imaging technique is first-line for this diagnosis? Transthoracic echocardiography II. Describe the advantages and disadvantages of this technique for diagnosis of pericarditis. Advantages Does not use ionizing radiation Can determine life-threatening consequences such as pericardial tamponade Useful to diagnose myocarditis and ventricular dysfunction, which could change the management approach Disadvantages…
Preliminary Diagnosis: Congestive Heart Failure I. What imaging technique is first-line for this diagnosis? Chest radiography. II. Describe the advantages and disadvantages of this technique for diagnosing congestive heart failure. Advantages Vascular distribution can indicate increased left-ventricular filling pressure. Kerley lines, peribronchial cuffing, and ill-defined vessel margins sugget interstitial edema.Continue Reading A “batwing” pattern of…
Preliminary Diagnosis: Superior vena cava syndrome I. What imaging technique is first-line for this diagnosis CT with IV contrast II. Describe the advantages and disadvantages of this technique for diagnosis of superior vena cava syndrome. Advantages Will establish the level and extent of obstruction Can guide therapeutic options by mapping collaterals and patent vasculature Can…
