Breast Density: Assessment, Cancer Risk, and Reporting Regulations.

Breast density has been a critical topic in mammography and women's health for several years. Many states have created laws and mandates to ensure that patients and ordering providers receive information regarding a patient's breast density. Mammographers and patients must understand breast density classifications and how they can affect clinical assessment, diagnosis, and treatment.

An Overview of the Cardiac Catheterization Lab.

The role of the cardiac catheterization lab technologist differs from other radiologic technologist roles. This article demystifies the cardiac catheterization lab by explaining commonly performed procedures. The anatomy and pathology that might require treatment in the catheterization lab also are discussed.

Imaging Traumatic Hand and Finger Injuries.

The hands and fingers play a vital role in everyday activities, which increases the risk for accidental injury. Imaging these potentially complex injuries is vital to successful diagnosis and treatment. Imaging techniques and best practices vary; multiple modalities might be needed to achieve an accurate diagnosis.

Imaging Atlantooccipital and Atlantoaxial Traumatic Injuries.

Cervical spine injuries, specifically the atlantooccipital joint and atlantoaxial joint, often involve the spinal canal or large blood vessels that supply blood to the brain. Patient handling, transport, and positioning for imaging plays an important role in diagnosis, treatment, and patient prognosis. This article discusses cervical spine anatomy, specific traumatic spinal injuries, and radiography's role in treating these injuries.

Emergency Chest Imaging.

This article presents the anatomy of the chest, heart, and upper airway and describes types of traumatic pathology and injuries of the chest. Chest imaging in a variety of settings is described. Radiography, computed tomography, and ultrasonography are discussed, along with the benefits and limitations of each modality.

Pretransfer imaging decisions in rural trauma cases.

In rural health settings, patients with trauma who initially are transported to a community hospital often require transfer to a designated trauma center. Rural hospitals typically are not equipped or properly staffed to treat severely injured patients. When trauma occurs, transport time longer than 60 minutes from an accident scene to a place of definitive care can have detrimental effects on the patient.

Imaging of farm-related injuries.

In the past century, the United States farming industry has changed dramatically. Farming and food production have grown tremendously, and large industrial farms are now commonplace. Despite this, small farms located in rural communities continue to make up a majority of this country's agriculture.

Pediatric bone densitometry.

Discussions regarding bone density typically focus on postmenopausal women, osteoporosis, and fracture risk. Although these are the most common reasons patients have skeletal strength assessments, the use of bone densitometry and bone mineral density measurement in pediatric patients is becoming increasingly valuable to assess children with diseases that cause inadequate bone growth. This article discusses pediatric bone disease and current and emerging imaging options for assessing bone density in children and adolescents.