Evaluation and Utilization of Flow Artifacts at CT.

Flow artifacts are commonly encountered at contrast-enhanced CT and can be difficult to discern from true pathologic conditions. Therefore, radiologists must be comfortable distinguishing flow artifacts from true pathologic conditions. This is of particular importance when evaluating the pulmonary arteries and aorta, as a flow artifact may be mistaken for a pulmonary embolism or dissection flap.

Subclavian Artery: Anatomic Review and Imaging Evaluation of Abnormalities.

The subclavian artery is an important structure that may be overlooked at CT of the chest and neck, in part because of its anatomic location at the periphery of the field of view but also because the clinical indication for CT examinations infrequently directs attention specifically to evaluation of the subclavian artery. As with all arteries, the subclavian artery has the potential to be involved in a variety of abnormalities, including pseudoaneurysms, dissections, stenosis or thrombosis, and vasculopathies. In addition, the subclavian artery can be secondarily involved as a collateral pathway because of an abnormality elsewhere.

Impact of Pretransplantation CT on Liver Donation in Potential Deceased Organ Donors.

Background: Computed tomography (CT) is routinely used to determine the suitability of potential living donor liver transplants, providing important information about liver size, vascular anatomy, and the presence of other diseases that would preclude it from safe donation. CT is not routinely used, however, when evaluating eligible deceased organ donors after brain death, a group which comprises most orthotopic liver transplants. After the installation of a CT scanner at a local procurement facility, CTs have been performed on potential deceased organ donors and used, in conjunction with other evaluative protocols, to help direct donation decisions and assist in procurement procedures.

Tumor Staging of Lung Cancer: Essential Concepts for the Radiologist.

Several important modifications have been proposed for the tumor (T) descriptor for lung cancers. New size cutoffs have been determined and there are new T descriptors for adenocarcinoma in situ, minimally invasive adenocarcinoma, and part-solid adenocarcinomas with a solid component > 0.5 cm to 3 cm (T1a, T1b, T1c).