Highly effective as a minimally invasive diagnostic and screening tool, CT colonography (CTC) is an important part of today's clinical armamentarium. In this concise, step-by-step guidebook, written by specialists who also run training courses in CT colonography, readers will find a wealth of information for everyday practice. From examination methods and image interpretation, to screening and reporting issues, to common mistakes and pitfalls to avoid, this compact book is all-inclusive, ideal for both beginners and more experienced examiners who want to deepen their knowledge of this powerful technique. Special Features: Full discussion of how to begin, including indications and contraindications, patient preparation, CT examination techniques, and patient risk profile Strategies for data analysis and clinical interpretation, including 2D and 3D applications ("virtual" visualization), polyp measurement, and computer-assisted detection of polyps Informative, point-by-point sections on clinical findings, starting with normal anatomy of the colon and moving on to common diseases, postoperative conditions, pitfalls and artifacts, and incidental extracolonic findings More than 500 top-quality, fully labeled illustrations (245 in full color), including normal CT scans and 2D and 3D reconstructions that demonstrate diagnostic criteria, possible differential diagnoses, and disease states Guidelines for standardizing reports and documenting findings Tips on how to train for CT colonography in your clinical practice With all methods and techniques following current international guidelines and consensus statements, this book offers easy-to-implement, standardized clinical protocols that can be applied in both the clinic and the out-patient setting. It is essential for all radiologists and gastroenterologists who are interested in learning about the fundamentals of CT colonography and how to interpret and report findings, as well as for physicians who need a reliable overview of this robust and useful detection and screening tool.

Highly effective as a minimally invasive diagnostic and screening tool, CT colonography (CTC) is an important part of todays clinical armamentarium. In this concise, step-by-step guidebook, written by specialists who also run training courses in CT colonography, readers will find a wealth of information for everyday practice. From examination methods and image interpretation, to screening and reporting issues, to common mistakes and pitfalls to avoid, this compact book is all-inclusive, ideal for both beginners and more experienced examiners who want to deepen their knowledge of this powerful technique. Special Features: Full discussion of how to begin, including indications and contraindications, patient preparation, CT examination techniques, and patient risk profile Strategies for data analysis and clinical interpretation, including 2D and 3D applications (virtual visualization), polyp measurement, and computer-assisted detection of polyps Informative, point-by-point sections on clinical findings, starting with normal anatomy of the colon and moving on to common diseases, postoperative conditions, pitfalls and artifacts, and incidental extracolonic findings More than 500 top-quality, fully labeled illustrations (245 in full color), including normal CT scans and 2D and 3D reconstructions that demonstrate diagnostic criteria, possible differential diagnoses, and disease states Guidelines for standardizing reports and documenting findings Tips on how to train for CT colonography in your clinical practice With all methods and techniques following current international guidelines and consensus statements, this book offers easy-to-implement, standardized clinical protocols that can be applied in both the clinic and the out-patient setting. It is essential for all radiologists and gastroenterologists who are interested in learning about the fundamentals of CT colonography and how to interpret and report findings, as well as for physicians who need a reliable overview of this robust and useful detection and screening tool.

Colorectal Cancer Screening provides a complete overview of colorectal cancer screening, from epidemiology and molecular abnormalities, to the latest screening techniques such as stool DNA and FIT, Computerized Tomography (CT) Colonography, High Definition Colonoscopes and Narrow Band Imaging. As the text is devoted entirely to CRC screening, it features many facts, principles, guidelines and figures related to screening in an easy access format. This volume provides a complete guide to colorectal cancer screening which will be informative to the subspecialist as well as the primary care practitioner. It represents the only text that provides this up to date information about a subject that is continually changing. For the primary practitioner, information on the guidelines for screening as well as increasing patient participation is presentedd. For the subspecialist, information regarding the latest imaging techniques as well as flat adenomas and chromoendoscopy are covered. The section on the molecular changes in CRC will appeal to both groups. The text includes up to date information about colorectal screening that encompasses the entire spectrum of the topic and features photographs of polyps as well as diagrams of the morphology of polyps as well as photographs of CT colonography images. Algorithms are presented for all the suggested guidelines. Chapters are devoted to patient participation in screening and risk factors as well as new imaging technology. This useful volume explains the rationale behind screening for CRC. In addition, it covers the different screening options as well as the performance characteristics, when available in the literature, for each test. This volume will be used by the sub specialists who perform screening tests as well as primary care practitioners who refer patients to be screened for colorectal cancer.

This open access book deals with imaging of the abdomen and pelvis, an area that has seen considerable advances over the past several years, driven by clinical as well as technological developments. The respective chapters, written by internationally respected experts in their fields, focus on imaging diagnosis and interventional therapies in abdominal and pelvic disease; they cover all relevant imaging modalities, including magnetic resonance imaging, computed tomography, and positron emission tomography. As such, the book offers a comprehensive review of the state of the art in imaging of the abdomen and pelvis. It will be of interest to general radiologists, radiology residents, interventional radiologists, and clinicians from other specialties who want to update their knowledge in this area.

This User’s Guide is intended to support the design, implementation, analysis, interpretation, and quality evaluation of registries created to increase understanding of patient outcomes. For the purposes of this guide, a patient registry is an organized system that uses observational study methods to collect uniform data (clinical and other) to evaluate specified outcomes for a population defined by a particular disease, condition, or exposure, and that serves one or more predetermined scientific, clinical, or policy purposes. A registry database is a file (or files) derived from the registry. Although registries can serve many purposes, this guide focuses on registries created for one or more of the following purposes: to describe the natural history of disease, to determine clinical effectiveness or cost-effectiveness of health care products and services, to measure or monitor safety and harm, and/or to measure quality of care. Registries are classified according to how their populations are defined. For example, product registries include patients who have been exposed to biopharmaceutical products or medical devices. Health services registries consist of patients who have had a common procedure, clinical encounter, or hospitalization. Disease or condition registries are defined by patients having the same diagnosis, such as cystic fibrosis or heart failure. The User’s Guide was created by researchers affiliated with AHRQ’s Effective Health Care Program, particularly those who participated in AHRQ’s DEcIDE (Developing Evidence to Inform Decisions About Effectiveness) program. Chapters were subject to multiple internal and external independent reviews.

Rapid progress in the technique and practice of virtual colonoscopy as well as the conti- ing clinical high interest for this radiodiagnostic procedure made this second edition, only 3 years after the publication of the ? rst edition of this successful volume, necessary. This new edition includes the latest study results and technical developments of this exciting noninvasive diagnostic modality for the evaluation of the colon. The technical presentation and lay out of the text and of the many new illustrations are impeccable. The editors were again able to ensure the collaboration of many international leaders in the ? eld and the book offers a very comprehensive overview of all aspects and issues of CT colonography with a focus on how to perform practically this examination, which requires meticulous technique starting from rigorous preparation, then the conduct of the study itself, and ? nally the interpretation of the results. I am very much indebted to the editors and the collaborating authors for preparing this outstanding volume in a record short time period, which enabled them to include the latest technical advances in this rapidly evolving important radiological method. It is highly recommended to general and gastrointestinal radiologists as well as gast- eneterologists as a most welcome update of their knowledge and as a practical guide in their daily practice. I am convinced that this second edition will meet the same success with our readership as the ? rst one.

This volume presents a comprehensive review of gastrointestinal pathologies commonly encountered by practising radiologists and residents in training. The chapters are organised by organ system and include the pharynx and esophagus, stomach, small bowel, appendix, colon, anorectum, liver, gallbladder, bile ducts, pancreas, spleen, peritoneum, mesentery, and abdominal wall, and one on multisystem disorders. The book offers a guided approach to imaging diagnosis with examples of all imaging modalities complimented by the basics of technique and interpretation and the nuances necessary to reach the best diagnosis.

This book explains every aspect of the role of radiographers in performing CT colonography (CTC) and interpreting CTC images with the aim of enabling radiographers to extend the scope of their practice. It provides all the information required with respect to procurement of informed consent, principles of CT and radiation dose, patient preparation and positioning, the use of contrast media, the performance of diagnostic and screening CTC studies, and the interpretation and reporting of images. A wide range of CTC findings are described and depicted, covering normal anatomy, artifacts, hemorrhoids, polyps, colon cancer, diverticular disease, lipomas, and extracolonic structures. In addition, a chapter focusing on self-assessment of image interpretation will aid learning. The rising number of CTC studies for colon disorders is adding to an already burdened radiology workload. To reduce this workload, radiographers will increasingly be given responsibility to carry out CTC examinations and this book will provide the support that they need in order to perform CTC studies to the standard required.

This concise integrated handbook looks at all available imaging methods for head and neck cancer, highlighting the strengths and weaknesses of each method. The information is provided in a clinical context and will guide radiologists as to the information the clinician actually needs when managing a patient with head and neck cancer. It will also provide the clinician with the advantages and limitations of imaging. The text therefore deals with Ultrasound, CT and MRI. The initial chapters aim to give the reader a core knowledge, which can be used in imaging by the various methods described. The subsequent chapters are directed towards clinical problems and deal with the common cancers in a logical order.

The Encyclopedia of Medical Decision Making presents state-of-the-art research and ready-to-use facts sorting out findings on medical decision making and their applications.