Sonography of Benign and Malignant Breast Lesions.

Breast cancer is the most common form of cancer in women and the second most common cause of death in women. Incidence has increased by 0.2% to 0.8% each year since the early 1970s. Therefore, breast imaging is a crucial component of health care, and imaging technologists must have a fundamental understanding of the role of each imaging modality to provide ideal patient care. Diagnostic medical sonography of the breast is important in caring for patients with suspected or known breast disease. This article provides an overview of breast sonography and the sonographic characteristics of benign and malignant breast lesions.

Ovarian Cancer: An Overview.

Ovarian cancer currently is the fifth leading cause of cancer-related deaths among women in the United States, and approximately 140 000 women die globally per year of ovarian cancer. This debilitating disease presents subtly, and when it is diagnosed, treatment options often are limited. To provide care that is most favorable for the patient, health care professionals must have a basic understanding of the signs and symptoms of ovarian cancer and the imaging tools and treatment options available. This article provides a succinct overview of ovarian cancer, including diagnostic imaging.

Imaging the Vermiform Appendix.

Near the ileocecal valve, at the junction of the small intestine and large intestine, lies a blind-ended tube and possible homeostatic regulator called the vermiform appendix. The organ can cause several abdominal maladies that, if left untreated, can result in a complicated recovery or death. Imaging professionals should understand the structure and function of the entire gastrointestinal tract to provide optimal care for patients undergoing diagnostic imaging. This article provides a brief overview of gastrointestinal anatomy, appendix physiology and function, clinical evaluation, appendix imaging, and treatment of appendicitis.

Serving, Following, and Leading in Health Care.

Radiologic technologists often perform diverse roles throughout the workday, and they should have at least a minimal understanding of the responsibility and effects of these roles on the patient and organization. Although technologists can practice independently or as part of a work group, individuals should be prepared to improve patient care and to function as a servant, follower, and leader for the overall success of the organization. This article examines those roles, emphasizing servantship.

The Pediatric Urinary Tract and Medical Imaging.

The pediatric urinary tract often is assessed with medical imaging. Consequently, it is essential for medical imaging professionals to have a fundamental understanding of pediatric anatomy, physiology, and common pathology of the urinary tract to provide optimal patient care. This article provides an overview of fetal development, pediatric urinary anatomy and physiology, and common diseases and conditions of the pediatric urinary tract.

Alcoholic liver disease.

In the United States, approximately 100,000 deaths are attributed to alcohol abuse each year. In 2009, the World Health Organization listed alcohol use as one of the leading causes of the global burden of disease and injury. Alcoholic liver disease, a direct result of chronic alcohol abuse, insidiously destroys the normal functions of the liver. The end result of the disease, cirrhosis, culminates in a dysfunctional and diffusely scarred liver. This article discusses the clinical manifestations, imaging considerations, and treatment of alcoholic liver disease and cirrhosis. Normal liver function, liver hemodynamics, the disease of alcoholism, and the deleterious effects of alcohol also are reviewed.

Sacrococcygeal teratoma: a literature review.

OBJECTIVE: To review the current and relevant literature pertaining to the origin, imaging, and treatment for the sacrococcygeal teratoma in order to obtain information beneficial for radiologic technologists. METHODS: Both peer-reviewed articles and contemporary imaging textbooks were used in the research for this review. The material was analyzed further for practical and instructive components for imaging professionals. RESULTS: The inquiry regarding the origin, imaging, and treatment of the sacrococcygeal teratoma yielded important facts and clinically useful information that radiologic technologists can use. CONCLUSION: Because the sacrococcygeal teratoma is the most common congenital tumor found in newborns, all imaging professionals who may be asked to actively or indirectly care for a patient diagnosed with the condition should have a fundamental knowledge of the origin, imaging, and treatment of this potentially fatal tumor.

Clinical signs of pancreatitis.

The pancreas consists of complex structures that perform vital functions. Radiologic technologists must comprehend its normal structure and function to perform functional imaging procedures in their daily practice, as well as to know how any deviation from normalcy can disrupt homeostasis. Because pancreatitis is a potentially life-threatening disease, a thorough understanding of the clinical manifestation and imaging characteristics of the various forms of the disease is crucial. This article reviews distinctive pancreatic function and discusses basic pancreas imaging. In addition, acute and chronic pancreatitis is explored, including the role of medical imaging in its diagnosis, complications, and prognosis.

Agenesis of the corpus callosum: neonatal sonographic detection.

CONTEXT: Agenesis of the corpus callosum is a rare congenital midline brain abnormality that can disrupt normal cognitive progression. Primary complete agenesis usually occurs earlier in embryologic development, while partial agenesis occurs in later gestation. Agenesis of the corpus callosum has an estimated incidence ranging from 0.03% to 0.7% in the general population and is considered to be a component of as many as 50 to 200 different syndromes. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this article is to summarize recent literature pertaining to the diagnosis of agenesis of the corpus callosum, including etiology, prognosis and the use of diagnostic medical sonography in the detection of this abnormality during the neonatal period. RESULTS: Agenesis of the corpus callosum can be easily detected with diagnostic medical sonography when a thorough evaluation of midline structures is performed. SUMMARY: A thorough understanding of related anomalies, an inclusive imaging protocol and the combination of critical thinking with investigative imaging will ensure that the diagnosis of agenesis of the corpus callosum can be accurately established.