Symposium #3

Speaker: Thomas Underhill, MD

* This speaker has been verified as having no relevant financial relationships to disclose.

“Case Studies Involving Head and Neck Radiology”

Course Description (3 credit hours):

Cone beam CT (CBCT) has become universally accepted in maxillofacial imaging. Multiplanar imaging in dentistry is now commonplace. Ideally, the pathologist should be presented with both radiographic images and radiographic report along with the pathology specimen.   A formal radiographic interpretation may or may not be available.  When performing a clinical consultation, the pathologist may need to suggest appropriate imaging.

Objectives:

• This course will present the radiographic appearance of various head and neck lesions.
• Basic radiographic interpretation of principles of CBCT and other imaging modalities will be discussed.  With the use of CBCT, more incidental findings are observed.
• Common incidental findings, such as vascular calcifications, will be discussed.  Emphasis will be placed on both CBCT and multidetector CT.
• Appropriateness of CBCT versus multidetector CT (MDCT)  will be discussed.
• Other imaging modalities will also be shown when appropriate, including PET scan, CT, MRI and ultrasound.

At the end of this course the participants will:

•  Have knowledge of common incidental findings that appear on CBCT imaging.
•  Know which incidental findings need a referral or follow up.
• Understand the principle differences between CBCT and MDCT.
• Know when CBCT is the appropriate imaging technique.
• Recognize salient features of benign vs. aggressive vs. malignant lesions.
• Understand when other imaging techniques such as MRI or ultrasound may be beneficial.