Understanding X-Rays: A Synopsis of Radiology

This easy-to-read handbook begins with the basics on how to "read" X-rays and then goes on to discuss the details. It is a practical reference that is easy to carry on rounds, but despite its small size, it contains a wealth of information. Radiologists are often consulted regarding normal variants that mimic disease, and these are discussed in detail. Exhaustive lists of differential diagnoses are featured. The X-ray quizzes are informative yet challenging. This handbook is invaluable for day-to-day use by clinicians and for residents and medical students preparing for qualifying exams.

Table of Contents:
I Chest.- 1 Introduction — How To ‘Read’ Chest X-Rays.- 2 Common Appearances (Mostly Incidental and Unimportant).- 3 Disease Entities.- 4 Lists of Differential Diagnoses.- 5 X-Ray Quiz and Teaching Cases (The Chest).- II The Vertebral Column.- 6 Introduction — How To ‘Read’ Spinal X-Rays.- 7 Common Appearances (Mostly Incidental and Unimportant).- 8 Disease Entities.- 9 Lists of Differential Diagnoses.- 10 X-Ray Quiz and Teaching Cases (The Vertebral Column).- III Bones and Joints.- 11 How To ‘Read’ X-Rays of Bones and Joints.- 12 Common Appearances (Mostly Incidental and Unimportant).- 13 Disease Entities.- 14 Lists of Differential Diagnoses.- 15 X-Ray Quiz and Teaching Cases (Bones and Joints).- IV The Abdomen.- 16 How to ‘Read’ Abdominal X-Rays (and US, CT and MRI).- 17 Common Appearances (Mostly Incidental and Unimportant).- 18 Disease Entities.- 19 Lists of Differential Diagnoses.- 20 X-Ray Quiz and Teaching Cases (Abdomen).- V The Head and Neck.- 21 How To ‘Read’ Skull X-Rays (CT and MRI).- 22 Common Appearances (Mostly Incidental and Unimportant).- 23 Disease Entities.- 24 Lists of Differential Diagnoses.- 25 X-Ray Quiz and Teaching Cases (Head and Neck).- VI Miscellaneous.- 26 A Brief History of Radiology.- 27 Adverse Effects of X-Rays (Including Brief Notes on Radiobiology).- 28 Reactions to Radiological Contrast Media and Management of Reactions.- 29 Film Faults.- 30 Cross-Sectional Imaging (Ultrasound, Computed Tomography and Magnetic Resonance Imaging).- 31 Nuclear Medicine Imaging.- 32 Interventional Radiology.- 33 Breast Imaging.- 34 Lists of Normal Measurements in Diagnostic Imaging.- 35 List of Normal Values for Blood Tests and Other Laboratory Tests.- References and Suggested Further Reading.