In the US: Many factors play a role in cholelithiasis, including race, ethnicity, gender, age, medical problems, and fertility. Between 10-20% of adults in the United States have gallstones. I am sure you all know someone or maybe you have even had gallstones yourself. Each year, only 1-3% of people with stones develop symptoms of gallstones. Acute cholecystitis can occur in patients at any age, but the greatest incidence occurs between the fourth and fifth decades.

Inflammation of the gallbladder, cholecystitis is a common indication for surgery. Gallstones are present in a majority of the patients who have the gallbladder removed for symptoms. In the majority of cases of acute cholecystitis, inflammation is associated with calculi. Stones obstruct the outlet of the gallbladder because of impaction in Hartmann's pouch or the cystic duct.

If you are interested in learning more about cholecystititis, visit the Learning Center, the case study is free-of-charge. The case study presents information regarding complications from cholecystitis. By reviewing the presented medical history, lab results, and test results of different diagnostic imaging modalities, the learner will examine the characteristics of this pathology.

Cardiac CT is an exciting, quickly evolving, noninvasive technique that produces outstanding images. It is being used for coronary calcium scoring and the detection, visualization, and characterization of coronary artery stenosis and atherosclerotic changes. Imaging the heart has always been challenging due to the heart's continuous motion and the small size and complexity of the coronary arteries. The current gold standard used to assess obstructive coronary artery disease is conventional invasive coronary angiography. Due to the risk of complications from the procedure, the high cost, the radiation dose, and the time involved for the patient and specialized physicians, non-invasive procedures have been developed. Cardiac multi-detector (MDCT) is a relatively new technique made possible with the introduction of the advanced MDCT scanners that have the ability to rapidly and accurately visualize the coronary arteries. The technologic advances of MDCT are leading to faster scan times and improved resolution that is required for cardiac imaging.

Are you interested in learning more about Cardiac CT. This tutorial is free at the Learning Center! until April 31, 2008. If you are a first-time user of the Learning Center, you will need to click on the "Register" button, which is free and obtain a password.

Colorectal cancer is the second leading cancer killer in the United States after lung cancer and is one of the most preventable cancers. Many colorectal cancer deaths could be avoided if people of 50 went for the recommended screening tests. The majority of colorectal cancers are adenocarcinomas but begin as polyps. This cancer develops from the lining of the large intestine and rectum. Colorectal cancer grows slowly and often does not cause symptoms for quite some time. As the cancer grows, it invades the wall of the large bowel. Often nearby lymph nodes are invaded. Blood from the wall of the intestine is carried to the liver; colorectal cancer easily spreads or metastasizes to the liver soon after spreading to the lymph nodes.

Are you interested in learning more about colorectal cancer, tumor types, staging and the unique information that each imaging modality, clinical exam, or test provides to reach a diagnostic conclusion? This case study is free at the Learning Center If you are a first-time user of the Learning Center, you will need to click on the "Register" button, which is free and obtain a password.

Colorectal cancer is one of the most common gastrointestinal diseases that unfortunately tend to be without symptoms early in its course. In Western industrialized societies, colon cancer is one of the most common causes of cancer deaths and/or significant morbidity. The majority of colorectal cancers are adenocarcinomas. This cancer develops from the lining of the large intestine and rectum. Colorectal cancer grows slowly and often does not cause symptoms for quite some time. As the cancer grows, it invades the wall of the large bowel. Often nearby lymph nodes are invaded. Blood from the wall of the intestine is carried to the liver; colorectal cancer easily spreads or metastasizes to the liver soon after spreading to the lymph nodes.

Are you interested in learning more about colorectal cancer, tumor types, staging and the unique information that each imaging modality, clinical exam, or test provides to reach a diagnostic conclusion? This case study is free at the Learning Center! If you are a first-time user of the Learning Center, you will need to click on the "Register" button, which is free and obtain a password.