Pitfalls in imaging of the chest wall

The chest wall is a complex anatomic structure composed of many tissue types, presenting a challenge in both detection and diagnosis of disease. The spectrum of pathology involving the chest wall ranges from normal anatomic variants to benign and malignant diseases. Imaging plays a key role in evaluating the chest wall, whether pathology is discovered incidentally or when imaging studies are performed for diagnosis of a clinical problem. While radiography and ultrasound are often the first imaging modalities employed in the workup of chest wall abnormalities, computed tomography (CT), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and 18F-fluoro-2-deoxy-D-glucose (FDG) positron emission tomography (PET)/CT are often required for diagnosis and intervention planning.

Source: Seminars in Roentgenology - February 3, 2015 Category: Radiology Authors: John P. Lichtenberger, Brett W. Carter, Gerald F. Abbott Source Type: research