Neuroradiology - Images vs Symptoms

Book excerpt: The aim of this book is to emphasize firstly that rare and serious conditions can be hidden behind common (mis)leading neurological symptoms. Secondly, it stresses the importance of the collaboration with clinician colleagues - a neuroradiologist needs complete and accurate patient information to make a proper diagnosis or a differential diagnosis that can properly guide further diagnostic processing. The book, structured as an atlas, is divided into three sections according to the most common leading symptoms encountered in hospital emergency units or in outpatient settings. Each proposed case is accompanied by a short medical history, CT and MRI images, and a text describing its most important radiological features. 27 cases were chosen from the authors’ everyday practice: rare and peculiar cases, as well as common cases with a twist. Although both authors are experienced neuroradiologists, several of the cases were surprising and it took considerable time to arrive at the correct diagnosis. A certain level of knowledge and experience, together with information from literature, the Internet or from clinicians, helped them solve most of the cases directly, or after consultation with clinicians and further medical examinations and interventions. This book is mainly intended for residents, general radiologists and neuroradiologists. However, it will also be of help to less experienced colleagues or trainees who need to solve particular cases, encouraging them to think outside the box to find the answers.