Chad Miller

Preliminary Diagnosis: Seizures I. What imaging technique is first-line for this diagnosis? MRI with contrast of the brain with seizure protocol. II. Describe the advantages and disadvantages of this technique for diagnosing seizures. Advantages Able to detail the brain parenchyma for gray and/or white matter abnormalities. Does not make use of ionizing radiation. Disadvantages Subject…

Preliminary Diagnosis: Sarcoma I. What imaging technique is first-line for this diagnosis? Plain radiography. II. Describe the advantages and disadvantages of this technique for diagnosing sarcoma. Advantages Highly portable and quick imaging modality that exposes patients to negligible ionizing radiation. Offers exquisite visualization of the surrounding osseous structures and any mineralized structures. Disadvantages Limited in…

Preliminary Diagnosis: Right Middle Lobe Syndrome 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 right middle lobe syndrome. Advantages Highly portable and inexpensive imaging modality. Exposes patients to negligible ionizing radiation. Highly sensitive in evaluating for right middle…

Preliminary Diagnosis: Rheumatologic ILD 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 rheumatologic ILD. Advantages Relatively inexpensive and faster imaging modality compared to cross sectional imaging. Exposes patients to minimal ionizing radiation. Highly portable.Related Content Disadvantages Less sensitive…

Preliminary Diagnosis: Retro-Orbital Mass I. What imaging technique is first-line for this diagnosis? CT with contrast of the brain and orbits. II. Describe the advantages and disadvantages of this technique for diagnosing retro-orbital mass. Advantages Relatively inexpensive and fast imaging modality. Better details and evaluates surrounding osseous structures than other imaging modalities. Disadvantages Exposes patients…

Preliminary Diagnosis: Renal Infarction I. What imaging technique is first-line for this diagnosis? CT scan of the abdomen and pelvis with IV contrast. II. Describe the advantages and disadvantages of this technique for diagnosing renal infarction. Advantages Most sensitive and specific imaging modality in detecting and characterizing a renal infarct. Highly specific in characterizing the…

Preliminary Diagnosis: Rectovaginal Fistulas I. What imaging technique is first-line for this diagnosis? Contrast enema with barium or water-soluble contrast. II. Describe the advantages and disadvantages of this technique for diagnosing rectovaginal fistulas. Advantages Specific examination as entry point with contrast near the diseased segment of bowel. Can easily and quickly identify the location, length,…

Preliminary Diagnosis: Pulmonary Stenosis I. What imaging technique is first-line for this diagnosis? Trans-thoracic 2D echocardiography. II. Describe the advantages and disadvantages of this technique for diagnosing pulmonary stenosis. Advantages Offers exquisite anatomical and functional imaging. Does not expose patients to ionizing radiation. Helps detect pressure gradients and velocities across a diseased valve and helps…

Preliminary Diagnosis: Pulmonary Regurgitation I. What imaging technique is first-line for this diagnosis? Trans-thoracic 2D echocardiography II. Describe the advantages and disadvantages of this technique for diagnosing pulmonary regurgitation. Advantages Offers exquisite anatomical and functional imaging. Does not expose patients to ionizing radiation. Detects pressure gradients and velocities across a diseased valve and helps guide…

Preliminary Diagnosis: Pulmonary Fibrosis I. What imaging technique is first-line for this diagnosis? Chest x-ray, PA, and lateral view. II. Describe the advantages and disadvantages of this technique for diagnosing pulmonary fibrosis. Advantages Highly portable. Relatively inexpensive and exposes patients to minimal ionizing radiation. Disadvantages Less sensitive and specific in detailing the underlying parenchyma and…

Preliminary Diagnosis: Pulmonary Edema I. What imaging technique is first-line for this diagnosis? Chest X-ray, PA, and lateral views. II. Describe the advantages and disadvantages of this technique for diagnosing pulmonary edema. Advantages Relatively inexpensive and fast imaging modality. Highly portable. Exposes patients to minimal ionizing radiation.Related Content Plain radiography is highly sensitive. Disadvantages Less…

Preliminary Diagnosis: Progressive Multifocal Leukoenceophalopathy I. What imaging technique is first-line for this diagnosis? MR of the brain with contrast and special demyelinating protocol. II. Describe the advantages and disadvantages of this technique for diagnosing progressive multifocal leukoenceophalopathy. Advantages Able to delineate subtle and more conspicuous confluent white matter abnormalities often affecting the subcortical white…

Preliminary Diagnosis: Posterior Circulation Stroke I. What imaging technique is first-line for this diagnosis? Non contrast CT of the head. CTA of the head and neck may also be performed. II. Describe the advantages and disadvantages of this technique for diagnosing posterior circulation stroke. Advantages Relatively fast and inexpensive imaging modality compared to companion MR…

Preliminary Diagnosis: Polychondritis I. What imaging technique is first-line for this diagnosis? Non contrast CT of the soft tissues of the neck or area of concern. II. Describe the advantages and disadvantages of this technique for diagnosing polychondritis. Advantages Highly sensitive and specific in detailing cartilage destruction of the ear, nose, and airway. Highly specific…

Preliminary Diagnosis: Pneumoconiosis I. What imaging technique is first-line for this diagnosis? Chest x-ray, PA, and lateral view. II. Describe the advantages and disadvantages of this technique for diagnosing pneumoconiosis. Advantages Relatively inexpensive and fast imaging modality. Highly portable. Exposes patients to negligible ionizing radiation.Related Content Disadvantages Less sensitive and specific in evaluating for pneumoconiosis…

Preliminary Diagnosis: Pericardial Effusion I. What imaging technique is first-line for this diagnosis? Echocardiography II. Describe the advantages and disadvantages of this technique for diagnosing pericardial effusion. Advantages Does not expose patients to ionizing radiation. Highly portable. Offers exquisite detail of the valvular structures and helps measure cardiac chamber pressures further detailing underlying cardiac pathology.Related…

Preliminary Diagnosis: Patent Ductus Arteriosus I. What imaging technique is first-line for this diagnosis? Echocardiograph II. Describe the advantages and disadvantages of this technique for diagnosis of patent ductus arteriosus. Advantages Highly portable Does not expose patients to ionizing radiation Offers exquisite detail of the cardiac chambers, valvular structures, and great detail of the cardiac…

Preliminary Diagnosis: Parkinson's Disease I. What imaging technique is first-line for this diagnosis? Contrasted MR of the brain. II. Describe the advantages and disadvantages of this technique for diagnosis of Parkinson's disease. Advantages More sensitive and specific in identifying and characterizing any gray and/or white matter abnormalities than other imaging modalities May adequately evaluate the…

Preliminary Diagnosis: Nasogastric tube placement I. What imaging technique is first-line for this diagnosis? Plain radiography II. Describe the advantages and disadvantages of this technique for diagnosis. Advantages Relatively inexpensive and fast imaging modalities Highly portable imaging modalities. Highly sensitive and specific in localizing nasogastric tubes Expose patients to minimal ionizing radiationRelated Content Disadvantages May…

Preliminary Diagnosis: Metastatic lesions to bone I. What imaging technique is first-line for this diagnosis The first-line imaging modality is plain radiography. II. Describe the advantages and disadvantages of this technique for diagnosis of metastatic lesions to bone. Plain radiography is a highly portable imaging modality. Plain radiography exposes patients to minimal ionizing radiation. Plain…

Preliminary Diagnosis: Mesenchymal Tumors I. What imaging technique is first-line for this diagnosis? Contrasted CT imaging of the area of interest II. Describe the advantages and disadvantages of this technique for diagnosis of mesenchymal tumors. Advantages Quick imaging modality Offers exquisite detail of the surrounding soft tissues, vasculature, and osseous structures Helps characterize the primary…

Preliminary Diagnosis: MALToma I. What imaging technique is first-line for this diagnosis? CT imaging with and without contrast II. Describe the advantages and disadvantages of this technique for diagnosis of MALToma. Advantages Relatively fast imaging modality. CT imaging with contrast is the gold standard imaging modality in detecting and characterizing mucosal associated lymphomatous growth May…

Preliminary Diagnosis: Lymphoma of the Small Intestine I. What imaging technique is first-line for this diagnosis? CT imaging of the abdomen and pelvis with IV and PO contrast II. Describe the advantages and disadvantages of this technique for diagnosis of lymphoma of the small intestine. Advantages Gold standard in detecting and characterizing pathology of the…

Preliminary Diagnosis: Ludwig's Angina I. What imaging technique is first-line for this diagnosis? Contrasted CT of the soft tissues of the neck II. Describe the advantages and disadvantages of this technique for diagnosis of Ludwig's angina. Advantages Highly sensitive and specific imaging modality in characterizing and diagnosing Ludwig’s angina Highly adept in characterizing the primary…

Preliminary Diagnosis: Lemierre's Disease I. What imaging technique is first-line for this diagnosis CT of the neck with IV contrast II. Describe the advantages and disadvantages of this technique for diagnosis of Lemierre's disease. Advantages Quick imaging modality that offers exquisite visualization of the tonsillar tissues and vascular structures More sensitive and specific in diagnosing…

Preliminary Diagnosis: Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis I. What imaging technique is first-line for this diagnosis Chest x-ray, PA and lateral view II. Describe the advantages and disadvantages of this technique for diagnosis Advantages Highly portable and relatively inexpensive imaging modality Exposes patients to minimal ionizing radiation Disadvantages Less sensitive and specific in diagnosing a primary parenchymal…

Preliminary Diagnosis: Huntington's Disease I. What imaging technique is first-line for this diagnosis CT scan of the head without contrast II. Describe the advantages and disadvantages of this technique for diagnosis of Huntington's disease. Advantages Less expensive and much faster to perform than MR imaging Disadvantages Less sensitive and specific in detailing any specific caudate…

Preliminary Diagnosis: Hemorrhoids I. What imaging technique is first-line for this diagnosis? CT colonography; however, this is usually diagnosed by proctoscopy or physical examination II. Describe the advantages and disadvantages of this technique for diagnosis of hemorrhoids. Advantages Noninvasive method that allows one the opportunity to detail, characterize, and diagnose prominent and tortuous vascular filling…

Preliminary Diagnosis: Granulomas I. What imaging technique is first-line for this diagnosis? Plain radiography II. Describe the advantages and disadvantages of this technique for diagnosis of granulomas. Advantages Highly sensitive for diagnosing granulomas Fast and inexpensive imaging modality PortableRelated Content Disadvantages Lacks specificity for diagnosing granulomas III. What are the contraindications for the first-line imaging…

Preliminary Diagnosis: Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD) I. What imaging technique is first-line for this diagnosis? Fluoroscopic guided double contrasted upper GI examination using effervescent granules, thick liquid barium, and a barium pill II. Describe the advantages and disadvantages of this technique for diagnosis of GERD. Advantages Highly portable and quick procedure Adept in localizing ulcerations,…