■ Anatomy and Normal Appearance on Imaging The pericardium is a fibrous sac that surrounds the heart and is composed of two distinct layers: the visceral pericardium and parietal pericardium. The visceral pericardium is the inner serous layer that consists…
■ Introduction Echocardiography is the primary imaging modality used in the evaluation of cardiac valve morphology, function, and disease. This modality is broadly available and portable, and there is widespread clinical familiarity with the performance and interpretation of this modality.…
■ Central Airway Anatomy and Physiology: Essentials for the Radiologist Anatomy The trachea is a cartilaginous and fibromuscular conduct extending from the lower border of the larynx (2 cm below the vocal cords, at the level of spinal C6) to the…
▪ Pleural Anatomy The pleura is a stroma supported by the mesothelial lining of the thoracic cavity. It is composed of two layers: an inner visceral pleura and an outer parietal pleura. The visceral pleura lines the lungs and their…
▪ Mediastinal Lesions Although it may not be difficult to identify a mediastinal mass on cross-sectional imaging, it can be challenging to determine its nature. Diagnostic specificity is critical to prevent unnecessary intervention and its associated morbidity and expenditure. The…
■ Diaphragm Relevant Anatomy The diaphragm is a dome-shaped muscle with a central noncontractile tendon. Anteriorly and laterally, the diaphragm attaches to the body wall (ribs, costal cartilages, inferior sternum, and xiphoid process) via muscular diaphragmatic slips ( Fig. 33.1A…
▪ Introduction Cardiac tumors, benign and malignant types, are uncommon, with an incidence of 0.002% to 0.3% on autopsy series. However, even benign cardiac tumors may present with significant obstructive symptoms or be a substrate for arrhythmias. Tumors in the…
▪ Introduction Cardiomyopathies and myocarditis are disorders frequently encountered in clinical practice, and imaging plays a major role in the diagnosis, management, and follow-up of these diseases. This chapter will describe imaging of the cardiomyopathies that have characteristic imaging features…
■ Introduction: Using Cardiovascular Imaging Cardiovascular diseases remain one of the most common causes of death in industrialized nations. Over the last decade, substantial technical advances in cardiovascular imaging have been made and have helped mature such modalities from research…
■ Introduction The aorta is the largest artery in the body, arising from the left ventricular outflow tract and branching throughout the body. The spectrum of thoracic aortic disease is wide, with causes that may be chronic or acute, congenital…