Preliminary Diagnosis: Pneumonia
I. What imaging technique is first-line for this diagnosis?
Chest x-ray, PA, and lateral.
II. Describe the advantages and disadvantages of this technique for diagnosing pneumonia.
Advantages
- Highly portable and inexpensive imaging modality.
- Relatively fast imaging modality.
- Exposes the patient to minimal ionizing radiation.
- Sensitive in diagnosing pneumonia.
Disadvantages
- Less adept in diagnosing or detailing an underlying primary parenchymal or pleural process or any secondary complication than other imaging modalities.
- Less specific than other imaging modalities.
III. What are the contraindications for the first-line imaging technique?
No specific contraindications to plain radiography exist.
IV. What alternative imaging techniques are available?
CT imaging of the chest with intravenous contrast.
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V. Describe the advantages and disadvantages of the alternative techniques for diagnosing pneumonia.
Advantages
- This is the gold standard for diagnosing pneumonia and any underlying primary processes, i.e., neoplasm or foreign body, and any secondary complications.
- More sensitive and specific in diagnosing a pneumonic process than plain radiography.
Disadvantages
- Exposes the patient to ionizing radiation.
- Less portable than plain radiography.
VI. What are the contraindications for the alternative imaging techniques?
- May be contraindicated in pregnant patients.
- Relative contraindication in patients with renal failure and those with contrast allergy.
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