The primary goal of this book was to create a concise text on current radiologic imaging for medical students and residents not specializing in radiology. After the first two introductory chapters, subsequent chapters employ an organ-system approach. Imaging techniques pertinent to the organ system, including their appropriate indications and use, are presented. Question-oriented exercises highlight the most commonly encountered diseases for each organ system. The first chapter describes the various diagnostic imaging techniques that are available: conventional radiography, nuclear medicine, ultrasonography, computed tomography (CT), and magnetic resonance (MR) imaging. In recent years, many new techniques, such as CT angiography, CT colonography, MR angiography, MR cholangiopancreatography, and positron emission tomography (PET)/CT have emerged with new generations of CT and MR equipment. The second chapter gives an overview of the physics of radiation and its related biological effects, ultrasound, and magnetic resonance imaging. The remaining chapters focus on the individual organ systems of the heart, lungs, breast, bones, joints, abdomen, urinary tract, gastrointestinal tract, liver, biliary system, pancreas, brain, and spine. The chapters have a similar format to provide a consistent presentation. Each chapter briefly describes recent developments in the radiologic imaging of these organ systems. This is followed by a description of the normal anatomy and a discussion of the most appropriate and rational imaging techniques for evaluating each organ system. Each chapter stresses the proper selection of each imaging examination based on clinical presentation, need for patient preparation, and potential conflicts between techniques. Finally, all chapters end with questions and imaging exercises to enhance and reinforce the principles of each chapter. All exercises include numerous images and specific questions focusing on common diseases or symptoms. One question per case is used in all exercises, and the case and question numbers are matched for clarity. A short list of suggested readings and general references is included at the end of each chapter. We hope that this book will help medical students and residents not specializing in radiology to better comprehend the basics of each imaging technique. Ideally, this book will also aid them in selecting and requesting the most appropriate imaging modality for each patient's presenting symptoms. Our further hope is that the interactive exercises presented will familiarize readers with the more common diseases that current radiologic imaging can best evaluate. We wish to thank Allen D. Elster, MD, Director of the Division of Radiologic Sciences and Professor and Chairman of the Department of Radiology of the Wake Forest University School of Medicine, and C. Douglas Maynard,MD, now retired former Director of Division of Radiologic Sciences and Professor and Chairman of the Department of Radiology of the Wake Forest University School of Medicine, who have provided us with the supportive environment needed to complete this endeavor. This book would not have been possible without the able support of Michael Weitz, Karen Edmonson, Laura Libretti, and their fine associates at Lange Medical Books/McGraw-Hill.

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