The objective of this book is to provide a practical tool for those wanting to quickly acquire a broad base of knowledge in thoracic imaging. The content is limited to the essentials of chest radiology so as not to overwhelm the novice, yet provides enough detail that it can serve as a quick review for residents or practicing radiologists, a guide for those who teach thoracic imaging, and a reference for internists, pulmonologists, thoracic surgeons, critical care physicians, family practitioners, and other health care professionals whose patients undergo thoracic imaging procedures. What sets this book apart from other similar texts are (a) it is compact and of practical size for a resident to read during an initial 4-week chest radiology experience, (b) it closely follows an established cardiothoracic radiology curriculum, and (c) it provides an exercise for self-assessment.
This second edition carries over the pattern approach, use of mnemonics, and emphasis on chest radiograph/CT correlation. However, several changes were made to the first edition to reflect current technology (in particular, the introduction of fast multidetector CT scanning) and updated curricular guidelines. The specific behaviorally based learning objectives at the beginning of each chapter follow the 2005 revised curriculum on cardiothoracic radiology for diagnostic radiology residency developed by the Education Committee of the Society of Thoracic Radiology (1). A new chapter devoted to cardiac imaging reflects the increased cardiac content in the revised curriculum.
Nearly 800 new images were added to the second edition, many replacing those from the first edition that reflected older technology. All of the new figures were acquired and transferred to the publisher in digital format. The content of the second edition was expanded to include the new classification of the idiopathic interstitial pneumonias, current techniques used to evaluate solitary pulmonary nodules, guidelines for management of small incidental nodules detected on chest CT, new World Health Organization classification of lung tumors, and numerous new imaging cases for self-assessment.
