This book describes and illustrates the gamut of errors that may arise during the performance and interpretation of imaging of both nontraumatic and traumatic emergencies, using a head-to-toe approach. The coverage encompasses mistakes related to suboptimal imaging protocols, failure to review a portion of the examination, satisfaction of search error, and misinterpretation of imaging findings. The book opens with an overview of an evidence-based approach to errors in imaging interpretation in patients in the emergency setting. Subsequent chapters describe errors in radiographic, US, multidetector CT, dual-energy CT, and MR imaging of common as well as less common acute conditions, including disorders in the pediatric population, and the unique mistakes in the imaging evaluation of pregnant patients. The book is written by a group of leading North American and European Emergency and Trauma Radiology experts. It will be of value to emergency and general radiologists, to emergency department physicians and related personnel, to general and trauma surgeons, and to trainees in all of these specialties.

This book offers a comprehensive review on the last development in the management and the treatment of acute and life-threatening conditions. Written by leading experts in the field, this book will help the clinician to understand the clinical problems and to select the methodological and technical options that will ensure prompt and effective response and correct interpretation of the clinical findings. This book is richly illustrated and will serve as unique source of information for radiologists and other specialists including neuroradiologists, surgeons, cardiologists, angiologists and gastroenteologists.

Rapid recognition of life-threatening illnesses and injuries expedites appropriate management and improves clinical outcomes. False-positive interpretations in radiology have been identified as a significant cause of error, leading to unnecessary investigation and treatment, increased healthcare costs, and delays in appropriate management. Moreover, it is important that radiologists do not miss important subtle diagnoses that need urgent intervention. Pearls and Pitfalls in Emergency Radiology provides an outline of common imaging artefacts, anatomic variants and critical diagnoses that the radiologist must master in order to guide appropriate care and avoid malpractice lawsuits. One hundred selected cases – illustrated with several hundred images from MRI, MDCT, PET, ultrasound and radiographs – are presented in a succinct and structured format, highlighting key pearls and potential diagnostic pitfalls. The text focuses on emergent presentations of diseases in all body regions in both adults and children.

This book is aimed at trainee and practising radiologists, as well as all other healthcare professionals.

This book presents a comprehensive and modern approach to the imaging of nontraumatic and traumatic emergencies in pregnant patients. Readers will find a careful review of the relevant imaging-related clinical literature, explanation of imaging appropriateness criteria and guidelines, and enlightening discussion of current controversies in the emergency imaging of obstetric patients. The opening chapter discusses general principles of emergency imaging during pregnancy and offers an overview of an evidence-based approach to imaging interpretation. The remainder of the book describes specific applications of ultrasound, MRI, radiography, and MDCT for the imaging of common as well as less common acute brain, spine, thoracic, abdominal, and pelvic conditions during pregnancy. Clear guidance is offered on the unique challenges that may be encountered during such imaging. Emergency Imaging of Pregnant Patients is written by a group of leading North American and European emergency and trauma radiology experts. It will be of value to emergency and general radiologists, to emergency department physicians and related personnel, to obstetricians and gynecologists, to general and trauma surgeons, and to trainees in all of these specialties.

Getting the right diagnosis is a key aspect of health care - it provides an explanation of a patient's health problem and informs subsequent health care decisions. The diagnostic process is a complex, collaborative activity that involves clinical reasoning and information gathering to determine a patient's health problem. According to Improving Diagnosis in Health Care, diagnostic errors-inaccurate or delayed diagnoses-persist throughout all settings of care and continue to harm an unacceptable number of patients. It is likely that most people will experience at least one diagnostic error in their lifetime, sometimes with devastating consequences. Diagnostic errors may cause harm to patients by preventing or delaying appropriate treatment, providing unnecessary or harmful treatment, or resulting in psychological or financial repercussions. The committee concluded that improving the diagnostic process is not only possible, but also represents a moral, professional, and public health imperative. Improving Diagnosis in Health Care, a continuation of the landmark Institute of Medicine reports To Err Is Human (2000) and Crossing the Quality Chasm (2001), finds that diagnosis-and, in particular, the occurrence of diagnostic errorsâ€"has been largely unappreciated in efforts to improve the quality and safety of health care. Without a dedicated focus on improving diagnosis, diagnostic errors will likely worsen as the delivery of health care and the diagnostic process continue to increase in complexity. Just as the diagnostic process is a collaborative activity, improving diagnosis will require collaboration and a widespread commitment to change among health care professionals, health care organizations, patients and their families, researchers, and policy makers. The recommendations of Improving Diagnosis in Health Care contribute to the growing momentum for change in this crucial area of health care quality and safety.

Diagnostic errors are important in all branches of medicine because they are an indication of poor patient care. As the number of malpractice cases continues to grow, radiologists will become increasingly involved in litigation. The aetiology of radiological error is multi-factorial. This book focuses on (1) some medico-legal aspects inherent to radiology (radiation exposure related to imaging procedures and malpractice issues related to contrast media administration are discussed in detail) and on (2) the spectrum of diagnostic errors in radiology. Communication issues between the radiologists and physicians and between the radiologists and patients are also presented. Every radiologist should understand the sources of error in diagnostic radiology as well as the elements of negligence that form the basis of malpractice litigation.