Background
Cancer has been established as one of the second leading causes of death per the CDC. To guide cancer care, patients undergo cross-sectional imaging at time of diagnosis, during treatment, and on surveillance. It is important to be able to recognize complications at any timepoint that are direct or indirect effects of tumor as well as those related to both medical and surgical treatments. In addition to these complications, oncologic patients often present with acute findings unrelated to the malignancy or treatment. It is vital for radiologists to be able to recognize and interpret the findings across modalities including radiographs, CT, MRI, and ultrasound (US). Radiologists need to be able to communicate the findings to expedite care in these medically complex patients.
Educational Goals / Teaching Points
The goal of this exhibit is to provide an organized approach to critical findings in the following organ systems: cardiovascular, gastrointestinal, genitourinary, neurologic, and musculoskeletal system. Teaching points will be illustrated using an organ system approach and case-based format. Review of the typical imaging findings across imaging modalities will be displayed to enhance the readers knowledge base.
Key Anatomic/Physiologic Issues and Imaging Findings/Techniques
This educational exhibit will demonstrate emergent findings in the cardiovascular, gastrointestinal, genitourinary, and musculoskeletal systems. Examples will include, but not limited to alveolar hemorrhage, airway obstruction, superior vena cava syndrome, pulmonary emboli, pericardial effusion, hemothorax, pneumothorax, portal vein thrombosis, small bowel intussusception, tumor bowel fistula, intestinal obstruction, hydronephrosis, intratumoral hemorrhage, and osteomyelitis of the pubic symphysis.
Conclusion
With the increased use of cross-sectional imaging, oncologic patients can benefit from early detection of acute findings to expedite treatment. It is imperative that radiologists who review cancer imaging studies recognize urgent and emergent imaging findings in the chest, gastrointestinal, genitourinary, neurologic, and musculoskeletal systems to provide optimal treatment and guide management.
