Dual energy CT in the diagnosis of PE
| TEACHING POINTS |
| 1. Review common classifications of pulmonary embolism. 2. Review the role of dual energy CT for improved detection of pulmonary emboli and perfusion defects in the lung parenchyma. 3. Describe the various reconstruction methods involved in dual energy CT, and how they are created and utilized. 4. Illustrate radiologic findings with relation to their clinical implications. |
| TABLE OF CONTENTS/OUTLINE |
| 1. Mechanisms and classifications of pulmonary embolism and the urgency of diagnosis. 2. A review of individual dual-energy CT reconstruction tools that can improve confidence: iodine maps, iodine quantification, and Z-effective overlays. 3. The radiologic guide for quick cross reference/screening for hypoperfusing lung parenchyma utilizing dual energy CT. |
Dual energy CT – Optimizing Workflow in a Busy Radiology Practice
| TEACHING POINTS |
| 1. Understand the basics of image acquisition on both GE and Philips platforms. 2. Analyze PACS workflow including what image reconstruction to generate at the CT scanner and send to PACS. 3. Describe how to post-process and save images using each vendor’s respect thin-client software platforms. |
| TABLE OF CONTENTS/OUTLINE |
| 1. Basic theory of DECT and its various reconstruction techniques. 2. Image acquisition decisions at the CT scanner on GE and Philips platforms. 3. Deciding which DECT reconstructions to send to PACS. 4. Instructions for manipulation of raw data using dedicated reconstruction software programs on GE and Philips platforms. |
Pregnant Trauma: Imaging findings of maternal and fetal injury
| TEACHING POINTS |
| During pregnancy, women undergo significant physiologic and anatomic changes. Trauma in pregnant patients is important as it involves both the mother and the fetus. Therefore, radiologists should be familiar with imaging evaluation and interpretation of the traumatized pregnant patient. Radiologists provide an important role in diagnosis of common pregnancy-associated injuries in trauma such as placental abruption, fetal demise, and uterine rupture. Multidiscplinary approach involving OBGYN, emergency medicine, and radiology is important in choosing the appropriate modality of imaging in pregnant trauma patients. |
| TABLE OF CONTENTS/OUTLINE |
| Physiologic and anatomic changes during pregnancy.
Imaging modality considerations in the evaluation of pregnant trauma patients. Types of maternal injury and imaging findings. Types of fetal injury and imaging findings. |
| Got Dual-Energy CT but Don’t Know How to Use It? Renal Mass Characterization
TEACHING POINTS |
| 1. Analyze the basic theory of DECT 2. Evaluate the DECT reconstruction methods that are most useful for characterization of renal masses 3. Understand how DECT can provide an advantage in characterizing renal masses when compared with conventional CT |
| TABLE OF CONTENTS/OUTLINE |
| 1. Basic theory of DECT 2. Examples of DECT reconstructions, including spectral Hounsfield unit plots, Iodine maps, Z-effective maps, Iodine subtraction images, and Iodine quantification 3. Sample cases 4. Pitfalls |