Abstract: Coronary artery calcification (CAC) has long been known to occur as a part of the atherosclerotic process; recently it has been shown to be an active process resembling bone formation within the vessel wall. There is good evidence that the extent of CAC reflects the total coronary atherosclerotic burden and this has generated interest in using CAC as a marker of risk. The current consensus is that large amounts of CAC identify a patient highly vulnerable to future events. The advent of CT angiography added the ability to non-invasively detect critical luminal stenoses that are associated with a more immediate risk of events, and to visualize the non-calcified component of the atherosclerotic plaque. ... Read more

Abstract: Unanticipated adrenal masses are frequently encountered in modern, high resolution diagnostic imaging. Most often, these masses are benign adrenal adenomas, but when detected they necessitate a clinical evaluation sufficient to exclude subclinical endocrine disease, primary adrenal cancer, and remote metastases to the adrenal glands from other malignancies. These "incidentally-discovered" adrenal masses or so-called "adrenal incidentalomas" can be further evaluated with CT, MRI, and nuclear medicine imaging techniques. A substantial literature supports the use of each of these modalities to non-invasively characterize these neoplasms that have been considered by some as a 'disease' of modern imaging technology. ... Read more

Abstract: Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) provides essential information on anatomical location and morphology for diagnosis, therapy planning, and treatment evaluation in brain tumors, but lacks biological specificity. "Advanced" quantitative MRI methods yield additional metabolic and physiological indices relevant to tumor growth, vasculature, and ultrastructure; these improve lesion characterization and delineation, and provide potential biomarkers of treatment susceptibility and response. Validation and standardization of relevant parameters is required for use across multiple centers for large scale clinical trials of novel therapeutic regimens and to guide clinical management of individual patients. ... Read more