Evidence-Based Imaging – serie

Evidence-Based Neuroimaging is a user-friendly guide that employs evidence-based medicine criteria to systematically review the evidence defining the appropriate use of medical  imaging for the brain, spine, head, and neck. Edited by L. Santiago Medina, Pina C. Sanelli, and Jeffrey G. Jarvik, the book provides a systematic framework for understanding the best imaging choices for patient care. Chapters highlight key points that support clinical applications, allowing fast access to pertinent information including patient selection, imaging strategies, test performance, cost-effectiveness, and applicability. The diagnostic imaging of many common diseases, disorders, and conditions are covered, including multiple sclerosis, acute ischemic stroke, dementia, Alzheimer’s disease, traumatic brain injury, autism, spinal trauma, spinal infections, neck masses, thyroid cancer, and cervical lymph node metastasis.  By offering a clear understanding of the science behind the evidence, the book fills a void for radiologists, neurologists, neurosurgeons, pediatricians, primary care physicians, and other clinicians with an interest in neuroimaging and a desire to implement an evidence-based approach into their daily practice.

This book presents evidence-based criteria to systematically assess the appropriate use of medical imaging in the emergency department and other acute care settings. ​Over the last decade, there have been profound changes in the diagnostic testing and work-up of patients presenting to the emergency department with emergent symptoms. One of the most far-reaching changes has been the increased availability, speed, and accuracy of imaging due, in part, to technical improvements in imaging modalities such as CT, MR, and PET. Although the use of high-end imaging has plateaued in general, increased utilization continues in the ED. These patients are more acutely ill and there is additional pressure to make an accurate diagnosis as quickly as possible to facilitate prompt disposition or treatment. There is also strong evidence for the beneficial use of imaging in the emergency setting that results in improved patient outcomes. This book answers that need by providing protocols and guidelines for neuroradiological, cardiothoracic, abdominal and pelvic, musculoskeletal, and pediatric imaging are reviewed in terms of the available imaging modalities, diagnostic criteria, and treatment options. Distinguished by its unique focus on evidence-based emergency imaging in adults, children, and special populations, this book is a unique resource for radiologists, emergency medicine physicians, and physicians in other specialties who need to be informed about the most appropriate uses of diagnostic imaging in the emergency care setting.

This book provides evidence-based guidance for pediatric imaging to radiologists, pediatricians, and all subspecialists caring for children, as well as policy advocates. While the majority of pediatric radiology books concentrate on diagnosis, this book highlights how imaging should be used in optimal care, allowing comparisons between different modalities and addressing follow up, complications and the issue of timing of imaging.The primary objective of this book is to provide a summary of appropriate imaging use in terms of modality and timing based on the best available evidence. The book therefore acts as a resource for optimized clinical care of children and effective decision-making. A secondary objective is to collate the evidence-based practices that constitute quality care for children in the setting of value-based imaging. Radiologists are often in the position of helping clinicians decide when and how to image children with suspected diseases or confirmed diagnoses. However, traditional residency training has done little to fulfill the need for this up-to-date evidence knowledge. Moreover, in spite of furthering subspecialization of the field, the great majority of children’s imaging (and care) occur outside of children’s hospitals, where clinicians and radiologist might need this type of general guidance for establishing best-practices.The book is divided in two parts, non-diagnostic considerations such as evidence-based imaging, safety, value, and the practice of radiology in low resource settings and a second larger clinical component divided in prenatal, oncology, neurological, musculoskeletal, cardiothoracic, and abdominal imaging. This new edition incorporates changes in practice and guidelines in the decade since the first edition was written with many new chapters in emerging topics including prenatal, oncology and neurological imaging. This is an ideal guide for radiologists, pediatricians, policy advocates, and all healthcare professionals caring for children.