Prologue To gain a more meaningful understanding of the current state of affairs with regard to medical malpractice litigation in the United States, we begin by looking back at certain events that have brought us to the present. England, 1765…
Communication in Emergency Radiology Physician-to-Patient Communication Physician-to-patient communication is a unique challenge for radiologists. Radiologists and patients often have isolated encounters, without any prior patient-physician relationship established. Most radiology services, including an emergency radiology service, do not schedule dedicated clinic…
Although many of the quality and safety discussions throughout this volume are applicable to all aspects of radiology including the imaging of children, there are several topics that are especially critical or unique to pediatric patients including radiation reduction, sedation,…
Safety Culture and Teamwork in Interventional Radiology The practice of interventional radiology (IR) is distinct from that of diagnostic radiology (DR) in that IR is able to treat patients with a wide variety of vascular and nonvascular disorders. Inherent in…
Evolution of Computed Tomography Technology Computed tomography (CT) plays a major role in the practice of medicine. CT was invented by the British scientist Sir Godfrey Hounsfield in 1972 at Electric and Musical Industries research laboratories. Since its invention, CT…
Introduction Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is used in the diagnosis of patients with many conditions, and while the interpretive skills necessary to appropriately interpret the MRI images are complex, so too are the noninterpretive skills. Many of these issues come…
Bioeffects of Ultrasound The benefit of diagnostic ultrasound as an imaging modality in clinical practice cannot be overstated. Avoiding the radiation of radiography and computed tomography and the restrictive nature of magnetic resonance imaging coupled with the portability of ultrasound…
Introduction Widespread use of medical imaging has led to a significant increase in the use of radiologic contrast media (CM). Half of the estimated 78 million computed tomography (CT) examinations and 37 million magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) examinations performed annually…
Introduction Radiation risks are of concern in pregnant patients due to the potential of harmful effects on the fetus. However, due to referring physician concerns about maternal health, some exams using ionizing radiation have to be performed in pregnant patients.…
Introduction The practice of medicine frequently requires that physicians make critical diagnostic and treatment decisions with incomplete information, working in a background of high uncertainty. The specialty of diagnostic radiology is not exempt from this reality. Although people in other…