Image Interpretation Session

Abstract

The Scientific Assembly and Annual Meeting of the Radiological Society of North America includes many exciting scientific sessions and educational exhibits. None is greeted with more anticipation than the Sunday afternoon Image Interpretation Session. Again this year, the session will include 10 unknown cases, two each in the classic radiologic categories of genitourinary, gastrointestinal, chest, musculoskeletal, and neurologic imaging. The cases were chosen to challenge the panelists and to provide a stimulating learning experience for the attendees. Representative images are reprinted here along with pertinent clinical case histories. The panelists have been asked to describe the imaging abnormalities and the pertinent negative findings in each case. Each panelist will construct a differential diagnosis and enumerate the points in favor or against each diagnosis before committing to a most likely final diagnosis. Additional tests or treatment options may be suggested, as emphasis is placed on the practical approach to patient care. In years past, individuals who submitted diagnoses or answers to the unknown cases of the Sunday Image Interpretation Session printed in September issues of RadioGraphics could earn continuing medical education (CME) credit if their answers were correct and submitted before the session. Because the cases have been so complex, the number of cases successfully “diagnosed” by participants has been relatively few. The RSNA's CME Advisory Committee has thus decided that the unknown cases of the Image Interpretation Session would no longer be offered for CME credit to RadioGraphics readers; attendees of the session at the annual RSNA assembly would still receive credit, however. Individuals who want to test their interpretive skills may still submit their answers to the moderator of the Image Interpretation Session, who will score them if they are received by November 1, 1999. The moderator may acknowledge those individuals receiving high scores (the criteria for high are determined by the moderator), both at the session and in the January issue of RadioGraphics. Answers may be sent via e-mail (filmpanl@rsna.org) or be mailed to: N. Reed Dunnick, MD Department of Radiology University of Michigan Health System 1500 E Medical Center Dr Ann Arbor, MI 48109-0030 Answers to each case and a brief description of each entity will be published in the January 2000 issue of RadioGraphics.