Expert Panel on Radiation Oncology–Gastrointestinal: William E. Jones III, MD; W. Warren Suh, MD, MPH; May Abdel-Wahab, MD, PhD; Ross A. Abrams, MD; Nilofer Azad, MD; Prajnan Das, MD; Jadranka Dragovic, MD; Karyn A. Goodman, MD; Salma K. Jabbour, MD; Andre A. Konski, MD, MBA, MA; Albert C. Koong, MD, PhD; Rachit Kumar, MD; Percy Lee, MD; Timothy M. Pawlik, MD; William Small Jr, MD; Joseph M. He...

Pulmonary and mediastinal masses represent a wide range of pathologic processes with very different treatment options. Although advances in imaging (such as PET and high-resolution CT) help in many cases with the differential diagnosis of thoracic pathology, tissue samples are frequently needed to determine the best management for patients presenting with thoracic masses. There are many options...

adapted: some have become stu­ dents of the coding procedures, but many have outsourced billing to professional coders trained to search for keywords. Although many ED physicians don’t know exactly what is billed in their name, physicians commonly re­ ceive regular feedback on their average billing performance through automated reports. Early adoption of electronic records by the ED may in part...

The most common cause of acute right lower quadrant (RLQ) pain requiring surgery is acute appendicitis (AA). This narrative's focus is on imaging procedures in the diagnosis of AA, with consideration of other diseases causing RLQ pain. In general, Computed Tomography (CT) is the most accurate imaging study for evaluating suspected AA and alternative etiologies of RLQ pain. Data favor intravenou...

In this article techniques borrowed from Computer Algebra (Gröbner Bases) are applied to deal with Medical Appropriateness Criteria including uncertainty. The knowledge was provided in the format of a table. A previous translation of the table into the format of a “Rule Based System” (denoted RBS) based on a three-valued logic is required beforehand to apply these techniques. Once the RBS has b...

The best management of infected fluid collections depends on a careful assessment of clinical and anatomic factors as well as an up-to-date review of the published literature, to be able to select from a host of multidisciplinary treatment options. This article reviews conservative, radiologic, endoscopic, and surgical options and their best application to infected fluid collections as determin...

Colorectal cancers are common tumors in the United States and appropriate imaging is essential to direct appropriate care. Staging and treatment differs between tumors arising in the colon versus the rectum. Local staging for colon cancer is less integral to directing therapy given radical resection is often standard. Surgical options for rectal carcinoma are more varied and rely on accurate as...

Obtaining central venous access is one of the most commonly performed procedures in hospital settings. Multiple devices such as peripherally inserted central venous catheters, tunneled central venous catheters (eg, Hohn catheter, Hickman catheter, C. R. Bard, Inc, Salt Lake City UT), and implantable ports are available for this purpose. The device selected for central venous access depends on t...