Preliminary Diagnosis: Achalasia I. What imaging technique is first-line for this diagnosis? Single-contrast barium esophagram II. Describe the advantages and disadvantages of this technique for diagnosis of achalasia. Advantages Can accurately depict characteristic appearance of achalasia Inexpensive No signficant complications typify this outpatient procedure Can suggest diagnosis of pseudoachalasia Disadvantages Exposure to ionizing radiation Does…
Preliminary Diagnosis: Graves' Disease I. What imaging technique is first-line for this diagnosis Thyroid scan (thyroid scintigraphy) II. Describe the advantages and disadvantages of this technique for diagnosis of Graves' disease. Advantages Can help differentiate other causes of thyrotoxicosis, such as functional thyroid nodules Can support the diagnosis of Graves’ disease After the thyroid scan…
Preliminary Diagnosis: Cervical rib syndrome I. What imaging technique is first-line for this diagnosis? Routine PA chest radiograph II. Describe the advantages and disadvantages of this technique for diagnosis cervical rib syndrome. Advantages Diagnostic of cervical ribs Inexpensive Disadvantages Does not reliably provide other differential etiologies of thoracic outlet syndrome Uses ionizing radiation Although diagnostic…
Preliminary Diagnosis: Esophageal Dysmotility I. What imaging technique is first-line for this diagnosis? Single contrast barium esophagram II. Describe the advantages and disadvantages of this technique for diagnosing esophageal dysmotility. Advantages Single contrast esophagram can accurately depict characteristic appearance of an esophageal diverticulum. Air distention (which can cause patient discomfort) is not necessary. The examination…
Preliminary Diagnosis: Esophageal Diverticula I. What imaging technique is first-line for this diagnosis? Single contrast barium esophogram. II. Describe the advantages and disadvantages of this technique for diagnosing esophageal diverticula. Advantages Can accurately depict characteristic appearance of an esophageal diverticulum. Air distension is not necessary (which can cause patient discomfort). The examination is relatively inexpensive.…
