Radiologic clinics of North America
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Radiol. Clin. North Am. · Mar 2014
ReviewMetabolic white matter diseases and the utility of MR spectroscopy.
Magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) can be useful as an adjuvant diagnostic tool to traditional MR imaging of the brain. MRS can provide both quantitative and qualitative information about white matter pathologic abnormality. It is important to interpret MRS in conjunction with other clinical factors including but not limited to additional diagnostic neuroimaging, history and physical examination findings, and genetics.
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When atrophy is seen on imaging in adult patients, it does not necessarily represent Alzheimer disease. Many cases of dementia or cognitive decline could be caused by reversible or preventable diseases, such as vascular dementia. This article familiarizes the physician with various types of vascular lesions leading to dementia and cognitive decline and their imaging appearances. Neuroimaging plays an important role in identifying vascular lesions of the brain early, even before the clinical manifestation of the cognitive decline symptoms and, thus, can help to prevent or delay the symptoms related to the various vascular pathologic conditions.
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Current guidelines endorse low-dose computed tomography (LDCT) screening for smokers and former smokers aged 55 to 74, with at least a 30-pack-year smoking history. Adherence to published algorithms for nodule follow-up is strongly encouraged. ⋯ Screening for lung cancer with LDCT has revealed that there are indolent lung cancers that may not be fatal. More research is necessary if the risk-benefit ratio in lung cancer screening is to be maximized.
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Radiol. Clin. North Am. · Jan 2014
ReviewThe idiopathic interstitial pneumonias: an update and review.
Idiopathic interstitial pneumonias (IIPs) are a group of disorders with distinct histologic and radiologic appearances and no identifiable cause. The IIPs comprise 8 currently recognized entities. ⋯ To be considered an IIP, the disease must be idiopathic; however, each pattern may be secondary to a recognizable cause, most notably collagen vascular disease, hypersensitivity pneumonitis, or drug reactions. The diagnosis of IIP requires the correlation of clinical, imaging, and pathologic features.