Biliary Tree Primary imaging of the biliary tree depends increasingly on CT, ultrasonography, magnetic resonance imaging, and magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography, and with diminishing reliance on invasive endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography. Multidetector…
Technical Considerations In general, the pleura and chest wall are adequately evaluated with routine thoracic CT techniques. Contrast medium infusion is helpful in showing pleural thickening and in allowing its…
Aortic Abnormalities Computed tomography (CT) is commonly used to diagnose abnormalities of the aorta or its branches when they are suspected clinically or because of radiographic abnormalities. Congenital Anomalies Congenital…
Introduction Patients presenting with undifferentiated shortness of breath can be challenging because their presentations can have many potential etiologies: pulmonary, cardiac, mixed cardiopulmonary, gastrointestinal, neurologic, or other noncardiopulmonary reasons. It…
Lymph Node Groups Mediastinal lymph nodes are generally classified by location. Most descriptive systems are based on a modification of Rouvière’s classification of lymph node groups. The names used in…
Pericardiocentesis Introduction Performing a pericardiocentesis in an unstable patient with cardiac tamponade is a lifesaving procedure. Pericardial fluid is a common finding on point-of-care echocardiography examination and can occur from…
Despite marked advances in limiting image times for magnetic resonance imaging, CT remains the primary modality for most indications for imaging the abdomen and pelvis. The technology of multidetector CT…
Computed tomography (CT) is commonly used in patients suspected of having a mediastinal mass or vascular abnormality (e.g., an aortic aneurysm). In general, CT is performed in two situations. First,…
S piral (helical) computed tomography (CT) allows the entire chest to be imaged in a few seconds or less (i.e., during a single breath hold), with volumetric acquisition of scan…
Peripheral Artery Disease Patients may present with acute or chronic lower extremity arterial insufficiency. Chronic lower extremity arterial insufficiency is typically secondary to atherosclerosis. Atherosclerosis is a gradual, degenerative disease…
