Imaging of Bone in the Head and Neck Region, is There More Than CT?
This article will review the imaging techniques and recent advancements which are bringing non-ionising alternatives to CT imaging of the bone of the head and neck region into the realm of routine clinical application. (Source: Current Radiology Reports)
Source: Current Radiology Reports - April 16, 2022 Category: Radiology Source Type: research
MRI Evaluation of the Lactating Breast
AbstractPurpose of ReviewTo review the MRI appearance of physiologic lactational changes, common benign pathologies, and malignancies in the lactating breast.Recent FindingsThe prevalence of pregnancy-associated breast cancer has increased as more women delay childbirth and lactation. There is a transient increase in breast cancer risk after delivery when women may be lactating. MRI is more sensitive than mammography and ultrasound for the evaluation of the extent of disease in lactating women.SummaryUnderstanding the key MRI findings of benign and malignant pathologies in the lactating breast is critical for accurate diag...
Source: Current Radiology Reports - March 23, 2022 Category: Radiology Source Type: research
Overview of Oncoplastic Breast Surgery Techniques for the Treatment of Breast Cancer with Review of Normal and Abnormal Postsurgical Imaging Findings
AbstractPurpose of ReviewThis review aims to provide an overview of the role of oncoplastic breast surgery (OBS) in the current treatment of breast cancer, discuss common OBS techniques and review their postoperative imaging appearances.Recent FindingsOncoplastic breast surgery is an evolving set of techniques combining oncologic and plastic surgeries; it aims to effectively treat breast cancer while maintaining breast aesthetics. OBS techniques are used in both breast conservation surgery (BCS) and mastectomy. Factors that surgeons consider when choosing a technique include tumor size, location, and breast volume. T...
Source: Current Radiology Reports - March 8, 2022 Category: Radiology Source Type: research
Imaging of Endometriosis: The Role of Ultrasound and Magnetic Resonance
AbstractEndometriosis is a chronic gynecological disease characterized by the growth of functional ectopic endometrial glands and stroma outside the uterus. It causes pelvic pain, dysmenorrhea, dyspareunia, or infertility. Diagnosis requires a combination of clinical history, non-invasive and invasive techniques. The aim of the present review was to evaluate the contribution of imaging techniques, mainly transvaginal sonography and magnetic resonance imaging to diagnose different locations and for the most appropriate treatment planning. Endometriosis requires a multidisciplinary teamwork to manage these patients clinicall...
Source: Current Radiology Reports - February 18, 2022 Category: Radiology Source Type: research
Orbital Muscle Enlargement: What if It ’s Not Graves’ Disease?
AbstractPurpose of ReviewTo provide the radiologist with tools to recognize findings atypical for Graves ’ ophthalmopathy and differentiate between the most important and common alternative causes of extraocular muscle enlargement on CT and MR imaging.Recent findingsWe introduce five ‘red flags’ representing features that are atypical for Graves’ ophthalmopathy: unilateral disease, atypical pattern of muscle involvement, adjacent structure involvement, restricted diffusion, and absence of pain.SummaryAbout 95% of the cases with extraocular enlargement are due to Graves ’ ophthalmopathy, other causes are less well...
Source: Current Radiology Reports - February 8, 2022 Category: Radiology Source Type: research
Retrospective Analysis of Gender Disparity in Radiology Subspecialty Training: A Decade of Little Progress
DiscussionDespite remedial actions, there has been a downward trend in the proportion of female subspecialty trainees over the past decade. This ongoing disparity puts radiology at risk of falling behind other specialties in realizing the benefits and growth of having physician representation. Among other endeavors, an increased focus on the pipeline of trainees, starting in medical school, has proven effective for some radiology subspecialties, and merits further attention. (Source: Current Radiology Reports)
Source: Current Radiology Reports - January 27, 2022 Category: Radiology Source Type: research
Imaging of Cerebral Microbleeds: Primary Patterns and Differential Diagnosis
AbstractPurpose of ReviewIn this Article will be discussed the most common conditions related to CMBs and the main associated patterns.Recent FindingsCerebral microbleeds (CMBs) are an important finding of cerebral pathologies. Attention has been raised about their detection and characterization, since they may imply the presence of other underlying diseases.SummaryMagnetic Resonance Imaging, by mean of susceptivity-sensitive sequences, play a crucial role in the definition of CMBs, with the attempt to achieve the correct diagnosis. (Source: Current Radiology Reports)
Source: Current Radiology Reports - November 17, 2021 Category: Radiology Source Type: research
Imaging of the Ageing Spine
AbstractPurpose of ReviewThe purpose of this review was to desccribe the main processes related to the ageing spine, studied through different imaging methods.Recent FindingsDegenerative changes in the spine represent a progressive and irreversible involutionary process. They are constantly growing in relation to the increase in the average age of the population; therefore, they constitute an important health problem with enormous socio-economic significance.SummaryThe role of the radiologist is fundamental in the evaluation of degenerative processes affecting the bone and intervertebral discs and in the diagnosis of compl...
Source: Current Radiology Reports - November 17, 2021 Category: Radiology Source Type: research
Diversity and Inclusion in Breast Imaging and Radiology at Large: What Can We Do to Improve?
AbstractPurpose of ReviewA racially and ethnically diverse healthcare workforce leads to increased access to care and better health outcomes. Radiology and specifically the patient-centered subspecialty of breast imaging have a growing mismatch between the demographics of the physician workforce and the patient population served. Identifying and addressing the barriers for diversity is imperative in order to decrease disparities in breast cancer morbidity and mortality and achieve excellence in patient care.Recent FindingsThree major barriers to promoting diversity and inclusion in the field of breast imaging and in the sp...
Source: Current Radiology Reports - November 12, 2021 Category: Radiology Source Type: research
Contrast-Enhanced Mammography: Technique, Indications, and Review of Current Literature
AbstractPurpose of ReviewTo provide an update on contrast-enhanced mammography (CEM) regarding current technique and interpretation, the performance of this modality versus conventional breast imaging modalities (mammography, ultrasound, and MRI), existing clinical applications, potential challenges, and pitfalls.Recent FindingsMultiple studies have shown that the low-energy, non-contrast-enhanced images obtained when performing CEM are non-inferior to full-field digital mammography with the added benefit of recombined post-contrast images, which have been shown to provide comparable information compared to MRI without sac...
Source: Current Radiology Reports - November 3, 2021 Category: Radiology Source Type: research
Pandemic Response to COVID-19: Lessons from Restructuring Breast Imaging at a Multi-site Academic Center in New York City
AbstractPurpose of ReviewThe COVID-19 pandemic has been an unprecedented challenge for healthcare delivery, disrupting normal workflows and demanding re-allocation of resources. In the setting of breast imaging, this entailed an initial marked reduction of services during the acute phase of the pandemic followed by a gradual reopening with modified protocols to minimize potential virus exposure.Recent FindingsProtocols were devised for providing limited breast imaging services during the acute phase of the pandemic and for safely reopening during the post acute phase. Example cases of breast cancers diagnosed during the ac...
Source: Current Radiology Reports - September 29, 2021 Category: Radiology Source Type: research
Background Parenchymal Enhancement on Breast MRI: Assessment and Clinical Implications
AbstractPurpose of ReviewTo present recent literature regarding the assessment and clinical implications of background parenchymal enhancement on breast MRI.Recent FindingsThe qualitative assessment of BPE remains variable within the literature, as well as in clinical practice. Several different quantitative approaches have been investigated in recent years, most commonly region of interest-based and segmentation-based assessments. However, quantitative assessment has not become standard in clinical practice to date. Numerous studies have demonstrated a clear association between higher BPE and future breast cancer risk. Wh...
Source: Current Radiology Reports - September 27, 2021 Category: Radiology Source Type: research
Cardiovascular Magnetic Resonance (CMR) for the Evaluation of Myocardial Infarction in Patients with Non-obstructive Coronary Artery Disease (MINOCA)
AbstractPurpose of ReviewMyocardial infarction in the absence of coronary artery disease is caused by a variety of clinical conditions, so it is important to detect the specific causes in order to perform a better prognostic stratification of these patients. The aim of this review is to summarize the most important findings that established the role of CMR (cardiovascular magnetic resonance) to detect the MINOCA (myocardial infarction with non-obstructive arteries) patients and the importance to differentiate them from myocardial infarction patients.Recent FindingsThe role of CMR is crucial to diagnose the principal diseas...
Source: Current Radiology Reports - August 31, 2021 Category: Radiology Source Type: research
FDG Avid Abnormalities in the Breast: Breast Cancer Mimics
AbstractPurpose of ReviewFDG PET/CT is a highly sensitive tool for the diagnosis, staging, and response assessment of multiple malignancies and conditions. Incidental findings requiring further diagnostic workup are often identified, including increased FDG uptake in the breast. Familiarity with causes of increased FDG uptake in the breast is essential.Recent FindingsBenign and malignant etiologies can cause uptake in the breast at FDG PET/CT that mimics primary breast cancer. The radiologist plays an important role in identifying the finding, recommending appropriate breast imaging follow-up that may confirm an etiology, ...
Source: Current Radiology Reports - July 28, 2021 Category: Radiology Source Type: research
Prostate Cancer Ultrasound: Is Still a Valid Tool?
AbstractPurpose of ReviewThe main purpose of this paper review is to highlight the latest ultrasound (US) imaging technologies of the prostate gland, an organ increasingly at the center of attention in the field of oncological diseases of the male sex, which needs a 360 ° evaluation in order to obtain tailored therapeutic planning. Specialist urological evaluation is designated for this purpose, together with integrated prostate imaging which currently tends to focus more and more on the use of US imaging and its state-of-the-art technologies in iconographic diagn osis, biopsy and, sometimes, treatment of prostatic cancer...
Source: Current Radiology Reports - July 9, 2021 Category: Radiology Source Type: research
