Kornelia Teslic, M.D.

Computed Tomography (CT) plays an important diagnostic role in patients with sinonasal diseases and determines the treatment. The CT images clearly show fine structural architecture of bony anatomy thereby determining various anatomical variation, extent of disease and characterization of various inflammatory, benign, and malignant sinonasal diseases. CT is the modality of choice in imaging the sinonasal region for evaluating various congenital, inflammatory, benign, and malignant pathologies and associated complications thereby planning the further management of the patient.

A pediatric radiologist is a board-certified diagnostic radiologist with additional expertise in all aspects of infants, children, adolescent and young adult imaging modalities. They have at least one additional year of training in pediatric imaging after completing residency in diagnostic radiology. Children are more sensitive to radiation then adults, so pediatric radiology departments use equipment and exposure settings designated to reduce radiation exposure to children, while producing high quality diagnostic images.

During a PET (positron emission tomography) scan, a trace amount of a radiolabeled glucose called 18-FDG (fluorodeoxyglucose) is injected into a vein. FDG is a type of sugar (glucose). Because cancer cells use glucose more quickly than normal healthy cells, cancer cells will uptake 18-FDG rapidly and gamma camera will be able to identify metabolically hyperactive malignant cells that are taking up injected FDG rapidly.
To prepare for PET scan you will be asked to follow limited carbohydrate diet for at least 24 h prior to scan, do not eat or drink anything, except clear water for 6 h before the scan. Routine medications may be taken, unless you have been instructed otherwise.

A single chest X-ray exposes the patient to about 0.01 rem (10 millirem or 0.1 mSv) radiation dose. If you were to fly from the east coast of the USA to the west coast you would be exposed to roughly equal amount of cosmic radiation.

320- slice CT scanners are advanced imaging systems that can scan the whole body from head to toe in less than one minute. A 320-MDCT scanner can acquire whole brain volumetric data in 0.5 seconds.

MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) without contrast is imaging modality of choice for the patients with persistent cervicalgia and cervical radiculopathy. MRI is superior to CT for evaluation of cervical cord, cervical intervertebral discs, ligaments and exiting nerve roots. Unlike CT scan that involves use of ionizing radiation MRI uses powerful magnets (1.5-3Tesla magnets) to pass radio waves to create high resolution images of the cervical spine.

Unenhanced CT scan of the head is the imaging modality of choice for the evaluation of acute moderate to severe traumatic brain injury (TBI).
A concussion is a mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) with symptoms including headache, nausea, confusion, dizziness, balance loss, blurry vision, sensitivity to light, and ringing sensations in the ears. MRI of the brain without contrast is imaging modality of choice for mTBI with symptoms persisting over 10-14 days.

MRI of the brain without contrast is imaging modality of choice for evaluation of chronic headache during pregnancy. Present data have not conclusively documented any deleterious effects of MRI at 1.5-3 Tesla strength on the developing fetus.
CT scan of the head is preferred over MRI in emergency situations, such as acute head trauma, acute stroke, hemorrhage, or severe headaches with suspected aneurysm.

A brain MRI with and without contrast is imaging modality of choice for evaluating the patients with multiple sclerosis (MS).
A lumbar puncture could be used as diagnostic test for MS. The presence of oligoclonal bands in CSF may point to a diagnosis of MS.

The body removes CT scan intravenous contrast material naturally via kidneys. The kidneys excrete the contrast through glomerular filtration and tubular secretion. More than 95% of the contrast is excreted via urine within 24 hours. You might be required to take a blood test (eGFR) prior to CT IV contrast administration to determine if your kidneys are working properly. For eGFR > 45 there is no increased risk of kidney damage from CT IV contrast media.

STROKE (CVA) is an emergency where every minute counts!

Your doctor may order a noncontract CT scan of the brain, a noncontract MRI of the brain, MRA (magnetic resonance angiogram of the brain and carotid arteries), carotid US, or all of those imaging tests.
Numbness or weakness of leg, arm, or face, especially on one side of the body could be symptoms of TIA (transient ischemic attack), or CVA (cerebrovascular accident). Other stroke symptoms might include confusion, trouble speaking or understanding speech, vision troubles, dizziness, loss of balance, or severe headache.
If you or anybody near you experience sudden:
"F" Face drooping
"A" Arm or leg weakness
"S" Speech difficulty, or Severe headache it is
"T" Time to call 911.
Call 911 F.A.S.T.

If your CT scan examination requires IV contrast administration, you might be instructed not eat or drink for 4 hours prior to the scan. To decrease the likelihood of vomiting and aspiration, some radiology practices request the patients to fast prior to administration of intravenous contrast media. If you are taking prescription medications, please discus with your doctor when to take them, as preprocedural fasting may have negative effects of hypoglycemia, specifically in the patients with diabetes mellitus.

Yes. A CBCT scan (a Cone Beam CT scan of the maxilla and mandible) is the best course of action when planning dental implant surgery. For the implant to be placed safely into the jawbone without disrupting critical nerves it is essential for your dentist to have 3D cross-sectional images of the jaw and teeth. A CBCT does not require contrast administration, or any special preparation, it is noninvasive and painless test. The scan itself takes less then 1 minute, but proper positioning of the patient can take few minutes.

Ultrasound is the imaging modality of choice for initial evaluation of suspected gallbladder pathology. CT results in a significant radiation dose to the patient, while US uses high frequency sound waves to create images. US is the preferred method of imaging for pregnant women and for children. CT is however more sensitive for diagnosing acute cholecystitis, assessing extra-biliary gallstone pathology and complications arising from gallstone pancreatitis and cholecystitis.