Preliminary Diagnosis: Pancreatic Cancer I. What imaging technique is first-line for this diagnosis? Pancreatic protocol CT abdomen and pelvis with and without contrast II. Describe the advantages and disadvantages of this technique for diagnosis of pancreatic cancer. Advantages Enhancement patterns are often characteristic of different pancreatic neoplastic lesions, which may narrow the diagnosis Simultaneously evaluates…
Preliminary Diagnosis: Colorectal Cancer I. What imaging technique is first-line for this diagnosis? CT colonography (CTC) has emerged as the leading imaging technique for colorectal cancer screening and it has similar diagnostic yield to colonoscopy. II. Describe the advantages and disadvantages of this technique for diagnosing colorectal cancer. Advantages Less invasive than colonoscopy, with lower…
Preliminary Diagnosis: Gastric Cancer I. What imaging technique is first-line for this diagnosis Upper GI series is the first-line imaging study. However, it is important to note that esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD) is the most sensitive and specific diagnostic method in patients suspected of having gastric carcinoma. II. Describe the advantages and disadvantages of this technique for…
Preliminary Diagnosis: Pheochromocytoma I. What imaging technique is first-line for this diagnosis? MRI abdomen with IV contrast II. Describe the advantages and disadvantages of this technique for the diagnosis of pheochromocytoma. Advantages This technique may identify extra-adrenal lesions, which account for 10% of pheochromocytomas. Does not use ionizing radiation. Disadvantages This technique is expensive. Requires…
Preliminary Diagnosis: Adrenal Cancer I. What imaging technique is first-line for this diagnosis? CT abdomen with and without IV contrast (adrenal protocol CT) II. Describe the advantages and disadvantages of this technique for diagnosis of adrenal cancer. Advantages Combination of noncontrast, contrast-enhanced, and delayed images often gives the radiologist enough information to accurately diagnose adrenal…
