Most people find colorful brain scans highly compelling-and yet, many experts don't. This discrepancy begs the question: What can we learn from neuroimaging? Is brain information useful in fields such as psychiatry, law, or education? How do neuroscientists create brain activation maps and why do we admire them? Casting Light on The Dark Side of Brain Imaging tackles these questions through a critical and constructive lens-separating fruitful science from misleading neuro-babble. In a breezy writing style accessible to a wide readership, experts from across the brain sciences offer their uncensored thoughts to help advance brain research and debunk the craze for reductionist, headline-grabbing neuroscience. This collection of short, enlightening essays is suitable for anyone interested in brain science, from students to professionals. Together, we take a hard look at the science behind brain imaging and outline why this technique remains promising despite its seldom-discussed shortcomings.

This book provides a comprehensive guide to the state-of-the-art in cardiovascular computing and highlights novel directions and challenges in this constantly evolving multidisciplinary field. The topics covered span a wide range of methods and clinical applications of cardiovascular computing, including advanced technologies for the acquisition and analysis of signals and images, cardiovascular informatics, and mathematical and computational modeling.

NEW FRONTIERS IN BIOMAGNETISM contains selected papers based on presentations at the 15th International Conference on Biomagnetism (Biomag 2006), held in Vancouver between the 20th and 26th of August, 2006. The conference brought together over 500 scientists and specialists from around the world to present the latest scientific and technological developments in the field of Biomagnetism - the measurement of magnetic signals produced by electric currents in the human body. The study of the minute magnetic fields resulting from heart and muscle contraction, signal conduction in the nervous system, or by the magnetization of biological tissue has grown steadily since the 5th World Conference on Biomagnetism that was held in Vancouver in August of 1984.Although the conference covered many facets of biomagnetism research, the focus for this year's conference was on new frontiers in biomagnetism - the development of new applications and areas of research. One emphasis was on the application of Magnetoencephalography (MEG) to the study of human development and its potential to help understand the physiological underpinnings of language and cognitive development in children, including neurodevelopmental disorders, such as Down Syndrome, autism and language impairment. There were also many exciting contributions on the latest techniques for the precise localization of brain activity using MEG, and related methods for the study of brain dynamics and distributed networks of neural activity. These novel approaches to the study of human brain function promise to provide new insights into the organization of neural systems underlying motor planning, perception, memory and cognition. Other areas of rapid development discussed in New Frontiers in Biomagnetism include the application of biomagnetic measures in the diagnosis and treatment of epilepsy, psychiatric disorders such as schizophrenia, and the use of MEG for presurgical functional mapping. Special sessions were also dedicated to the latest developments in Magnetocardiography (MCG) for the assessment of cardiovascular disease and associated disorders of the electrical activity of the heart. This year's conference also held a special symposium in honour of the late Sam Williamson, with presentations from his former colleagues and students that reviewed his life's work and contributions to the field of neuromagnetism. NEW FRONTIERS IN BIOMAGNETISM aims to provide a comprehensive overview of the latest developments in the field of Biomagnetism and its application to the study of human biological systems. The many new developments and breakthroughs presented at Biomag 2006 made a significant contribution to the advancement of the understanding of brain and cardiac function and provided new tools for clinical applications of this new knowledge.

Imaging in Movement Disorders: Imaging in Other Movement Disorders and Dementia, Volume 143 provides an up-to-date textbook on the use of imaging modalities across the spectrum of movement disorders and dementias. The book brings together lessons learned from neuroimaging tools in the content of movement disorders, including idiopathic and sporadic forms of Parkinson's disease, Huntington's disease, Atypical Parkinsonism, Dystonia, Essential Tremor, and more. Specific chapters cover Neuroimaging Applications in Dystonia, Neuroimaging Applications in Essential Tremor, Neuroimaging applications in Restless Leg Syndrome, Neuroimaging Application in Tourette's Syndrome and TIC Disorders, Neuroimaging Applications in Functional Movement Disorders, and Neuroimaging Applications in Cerebellar Disorders. Addition sections cover Molecular Imaging of Parkinson's Disease Cognitive Impairment, Structural MRI in Parkinson's Disease Cognitive Impairment, Functional MRI in Parkinson's Disease Cognitive Impairment, Molecular Imaging of Dementia with Lewy Bodies, Structural and Functional MRI of Dementia with Lewy Bodies, Transcranial Sonography in Movement Disorders, Imaging transplantation in Movement Disorders, Hybrid PET-MRI Applications in Movement Disorders, amongst other topics.

Meticulously updated by board-certified oral and maxillofacial radiologist, Dr. Dania Tamimi and her team of sub-specialty experts, Specialty Imaging: Temporomandibular Joint and Sleep-Disordered Breathing, second edition, is a comprehensive reference ideal for anyone involved with TMJ imaging or SDB, including oral and maxillofacial radiologists and surgeons, TMJ/craniofacial pain specialists, sleep medicine specialists, head and neck radiologists, and otolaryngologists. This detailed, beautifully illustrated volume covers recent advances in the diagnosis and treatment of both the TMJ and SDB, including how related structures are affected. Employing a multifaceted, multispecialty approach, the clinical perspectives and imaging expertise of today's research specialists are brought together in a single, image-rich, easy-to-read text. Reflects the current emphasis on holistic diagnosis and treatment not just of the TMJ but of all related structures that can be adversely affected by any TMJ dysfunction  Examines a variety of presenting clinical signs or symptoms, discusses imaging strategies and  the associated conditions revealed by imaging, and helps you develop differential diagnoses  Provides current, detailed information on the relationship between TMJ disorders and SDB, how imaging shows the correlation between the two, and risk factors for SDB  Includes upper respiratory tract diagnoses, with multiple subsections on the nasal cavity, paranasal sinuses, nasopharynx, oropharynx, and hypopharynx, each with multiple new chapters  Features new chapters on ultrasonography of the TMJ and upper respiratory tract, new content on 3D and 4D modeling and surface rendering, a new section on imaging of upper respiratory tract procedures, and new content detailing the tie-in between occlusion and SDB  Includes an expanded Modalities section that includes new chapters on formulating a TMJ/upper respiratory tract report; plain film imaging of the TMJ and upper respiratory tract; CBCT analysis of the upper respiratory tract; dynamic MR of the TMJ and upper respiratory tract, and ultrasound of the TMJ   Covers the role that TMJ plays in facial growth and development, stomatognathic system function, and how TMJ abnormalities change the dimensions of the facial skeleton and surrounding structures  Contains over 5,000 print and online-only images (more than 300 are new), including radiologic images, full-color medical illustrations, and histologic and gross pathology photographs  Reflects updates to the Research Diagnostic Criteria for Temporomandibular Disorders (RDC-TMD)-the major clinical classification method and a key tool to assess/diagnose TMJ issues and facilitate communication for consultants, referrals, and prognoses  Includes an eBook version?that enables you to access all text, figures, and references, with the ability to search, customize your content, make notes and highlights, and have content read aloud 

With the technology innovations dentistry has witnessed in all its branches over the past three decades, the need for more precise diagnostic tools and advanced imaging methods has become mandatory across the industry. Recent advancements to imaging systems are playing an important role in efficient diagnoses, treatments, and surgeries. Computational Techniques for Dental Image Analysis provides innovative insights into computerized methods for automated analysis. The research presented within this publication explores pattern recognition, oral pathologies, and diagnostic processing. It is designed for dentists, professionals, medical educators, medical imaging technicians, researchers, oral surgeons, and students, and covers topics centered on easier assessment of complex cranio-facial tissues and the accurate diagnosis of various lesions at early stages.

Volume 22, entitled Metal Ions in Bio-Imaging Techniques, of the series Metal Ions in Life Sciences deals with metal ions as tools in imaging. This dates back to the first half of the past century, when barium sulfate was orally given to patients undergoing X-ray examination. The use of contrast agents has since developed into a large interdisciplinary field encompassing not only medicine, but also chemistry, material sciences, physics, biology, engineering, and computer sciences. MILS-22 provides deep and current insights in 17 stimulating chapters on the new research frontiers of this fast growing field on bio-imaging ... and beyond. For example, adding bio-sensing yields theranostic agents, meaning diagnosis and therapy linked in the same molecule; ions of Gd, Mn, Fe, Co, Ir, 99mTc, etc., are involved. Other important topics are, e.g., metal complexes in paramagnetic Chemical Exchange Transfer (paraCEST), radiometals for Positron Emission Tomography (PET) imaging, or paramagnetic metal ion probes for 19F magnetic resonance imaging. MILS-22 is written by 57 internationally recognized experts from 12 countries, that is, from the US via Europe to China. The impact of this vibrant research area is manifested by more than 2300 references and nearly 120 figures, mostly in color, and several informative tables. To conclude, Metal Ions in Bio-Imaging Techniques is an essential resource for scientists working in the wide range from material sciences, enzymology, analytic, organic, and inorganic biochemistry all the way through to medicine including the clinic ... not forgetting that also excellent information for teaching is provided.

The articles collected in this volume are based on lectures given at the IMA Workshop, "Computational Radiology and Imaging: Therapy and Diagnostics," March 17-21, 1997. Introductory articles by the editors have been added. The focus is on inverse problems involving electromagnetic radiation and particle beams, with applications to X-ray tomography, nuclear medicine, near-infrared imaging, microwave imaging, electron microscopy, and radiation therapy planning. Mathematical and computational tools and models which play important roles in this volume include the X-ray transform and other integral transforms, the linear Boltzmann equation and, for near-infrared imaging, its diffusion approximation, iterative methods for large linear and non-linear least-squares problems, iterative methods for linear feasibility problems, and optimization methods. The volume is intended not only for mathematical scientists and engineers working on these and related problems, but also for non-specialists. It contains much introductory expository material, and a large number of references. Many unsolved computational and mathematical problems of substantial practical importance are pointed out.

Titles in the Pocket Tutor series give practical guidance on subjects that medical students and foundation doctors need help with ‘on the go’, at a highly-affordable price that puts them within reach of those rotating through modular courses or working on attachment.  Topics reflect information needs stemming from today’s integrated undergraduate and foundation courses: Common presentations Investigation options (e.g. ECG, imaging) Clinical and patient-orientated skills (e.g. examinations, history-taking) The highly-structured, bite-size content helps novices combat the ‘fear factor’ associated with day-to-day clinical training, and provides a detailed resource that students and junior doctors can carry in their pocket.   Key points New edition of the best-selling title that breaks down a complex and daunting subject using clearly-labelled, full-page ECG traces and concise but informative text Revised text and brand-new ECG traces bring the new edition fully up-to-date New chapters cover electrolyte and homeostatic disorders, and normal variants Logical, sequential content: relevant basic science, then a guide to understanding a normal ECG and the building blocks of an abnormal ECG, before describing clinical disorders

Soft Computing Based Medical Image Analysis presents the foremost techniques of soft computing in medical image analysis and processing. It includes image enhancement, segmentation, classification-based soft computing, and their application in diagnostic imaging, as well as an extensive background for the development of intelligent systems based on soft computing used in medical image analysis and processing. The book introduces the theory and concepts of digital image analysis and processing based on soft computing with real-world medical imaging applications. Comparative studies for soft computing based medical imaging techniques and traditional approaches in medicine are addressed, providing flexible and sophisticated application-oriented solutions.

Dr. Leonard Swischuk, who is recognized for authoring several superb and widely read pediatric radiology textbooks, has produced yet another outstanding work on the important subject of imaging the cervical spine in children. A distinguished pediatric radiologist, he draws upon his extensive experience in the field and his gift for writing clear and readable text to provide practitioners with an insightful approach to pediatric cervical spine injuries. Those who work in trauma imaging will appreciate the wealth of practical guidelines contained in this thorough yet concise book. Dr. Swischuk's text is organized into six chapters. The first two discuss developmental anatomy and normal variants. Chapters three and four concentrate on congenital anomalies and on abnormalities of the dens. The final two chapters consider trauma and miscellaneous abnormalities of the cervical spine. The book has several notable strengths that are appealing to radiology residents, such as its succinct and well-organized overview of the topic. To help residents identify cases that they are likely to encounter during board exams and in practice, Dr. Swischuk selected excellent plain film examples from his personal collection that illustrate the conditions he discusses and reflect his emphasis on cervical radiography. The illustrated cases also include CT and MR images that clarify and qualify the plain film findings. Helpful reference lists complete each chapter and guide residents to resources for further reading. In addition, Dr. Swischuk 's direct writing style makes the complex content highly accessible, providing imaging residents with an invaluable introduction to pediatric cervical spine radiology.

This issue of Neuroimaging Clinics of North America focuses on Imaging of Brain Concussion, and is edited by Drs. Roy Riascos and Eliana E. Bonfante-Mejia. Articles will include: Traumatic Brain Injury: definition, neurosurgery, trauma-orthopedics, neuroimaging, and psychology-psychiatry; Multimodality advanced imaging for brain concussions; Perfusion weighted images in brain concussion; PET and SPECT in brain concussion; Imaging of chronic concussion; Imaging of concussion in young athletes; Imaging on concussion in blast injury; Conventional CT and MR in brain concussion; Structural imaging: structural MRI in concussion; Susceptibility weighted imaging and MR spectroscopy in concussion; Functional imaging fMRI - BOLD and resting state techniques in mTBI; Diffusion Weighted and Diffusion Tensor Imaging in mTBI; and more!

This volume covers state-of-the-art applications of solid-state and solution nuclear magnetic resonance( NMR) spectroscopy to study protein structure, dynamics and interactions. Chapters detail various aspects of data acquisition and processing, determination of the structure, multi-timescale dynamics of entities ranging from individual proteins to large macromolecular complexes to intact viral assemblies. The final two chapters will highlight the promise of NMR beyond field strengths of 1 GHz to study the structure, dynamics and interactions of a larger class of proteins and protein complexes of extraordinary biological interest. Written in the highly successful Methods in Molecular Biology series format, chapters provide detailed laboratory protocols and troubleshooting tips that would be of great practical help to NMR spectroscopists with different levels of expertise. Authoritative and cutting-edge, Protein NMR: Methods and Protocol aims to ensure successful results in the further study of this vital field.

This book presents different approaches on multi-modality imaging with a focus on biomedical applications. Medical imaging can be divided into two categories: functional (related to physiological body measurements) and anatomical (structural) imaging modalities. In particular, this book covers imaging combinations coming from the usual popular modalities (such as the anatomical modalities, e.g. X-ray, CT and MRI), and it also includes some promising and new imaging modalities that are still being developed and improved (such as infrared thermography (IRT) and photoplethysmography imaging (PPGI)), implying potential approaches for innovative biomedical applications. Moreover, this book includes a variety of tools on computer vision, imaging processing, and computer graphics, which led to the generation and visualization of 3D models, making the most recent advances in this area possible. This is an ideal book for students and biomedical engineering researchers covering the biomedical imaging field.

This issue of Neuroimaging Clinics of North America focuses on Adult Brain Tumors, and is edited by Dr. Lara Brandao. Articles will include: Posterior Fossa Tumors in Adult Patients; Lymphomas and Adult Brain Tumors; Pre-Treatment Evaluation of Gliomas; Post Treatment Evaluation of Gliomas; Metastasis in Adult Brain Tumors; Extraparenchymal Lesions in Adult Brain Tumors; Interesting Case Studies in Adult Brain Tumors; Advanced MR Imaging Techniques in Daily Practice; and more!

The field of inflammatory bowel disease has evolved in many ways. The first has been the revolution in medical therapy for the disease. With the advent of biologic therapy, the aspirational goal of therapy has become mucosal healing. These medications have also made it possible to avoid or delay surgery for ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease. Although non-invasive strategies such as MR or CT enterography or stool-based assays are helpful, they have not been able to replace the prognostic information provided by endoscopy. Simultaneously, the quality and spectrum of tools available to perform endoscopy has widened. High resolution endoscopes are now the norm and are nearly as good as chromoendoscopy for identifying dysplasia in ulcerative colitis patients. Most gastroenterologists also perform dilations but do not generally do this for patients with IBD. Finally, newer devices such as enteroscopes, endoscopic ultrasound, and endomicroscopes are being incorporated into the algorithms to diagnose and treat complications of IBD. This issue highlights all of these advances by the experts in their fields.

This book presents new methods of analyzing and processing hyperspectral medical images, which can be used in diagnostics, for example for dermatological images. The algorithms proposed are fully automatic and the results obtained are fully reproducible. Their operation was tested on a set of several thousands of hyperspectral images and they were implemented in Matlab. The presented source code can be used without licensing restrictions. This is a valuable resource for computer scientists, bioengineers, doctoral students, and dermatologists interested in contemporary analysis methods.

This issue of Hematology/Oncology Clinics of North America is devoted to Imaging of Neurological complications in Hematological disorders and will include articles on Blood Dyscriasis: Classification and Clinical Neurological Presentations, Imaging Manifestation of Anemia, CNS Complications of Hemorrhagic and Coagulation Disorders, Neurological and Head and Neck Manifestation of Sickle Cell Disease, Neuroimaging in Lymphoma, and many more!

Neuroimaging, Part Two, a volume in The Handbook of Clinical Neurology series, illustrates how neuroimaging is rapidly expanding its reach and applications in clinical neurology. It is an ideal resource for anyone interested in the study of the nervous system, and is useful to both beginners in various related fields and to specialists who want to update or refresh their knowledge base on neuroimaging. This second volume covers imaging of the adult spine and peripheral nervous system, as well as pediatric neuroimaging. In addition, it provides an overview of the differential diagnosis of the most common imaging findings, such as ring enhancement on MRI, and a review of the indications for imaging in the most frequent neurological syndromes. The volume concludes with a review of neuroimaging in experimental animals and how it relates to neuropathology. It brings broad coverage of the topic using many color images to illustrate key points. Contributions from leading global experts are collated, providing the broadest view of neuroimaging as it currently stands. For a number of neurological disorders, imaging is not only critical for diagnosis, but also for monitoring the effect of therapies, with the entire field moving from curing diseases to preventing them. Most of the information contained in this volume reflects the newness of this approach, pointing to the new horizon in the study of neurological disorders.

This book presents a comprehensive, state-of the-art guide and review of ultrasound applications for children and infants with surgical problems. It is meant as a single source to provide information about sonographic application, interpretation and technique for a diversity of pediatric surgical care providers, making it a useful tool for the ultrasound novice as well as the more advanced ultrasonographer. Sections address initial obstacles faced by a physician starting with ultrasound such as the scanning techniques, underlying anatomy and normal sonographic findings. The initial chapter provides an introduction and basic overview about ultrasound theory and techniques. Subsequent chapters focus on specific body parts and systems and their disease processes as it pertains to pediatric and neonatal patients. The text also includes a chapter on abdominal trauma and its evaluation with the FAST (focused abdominal sonography for trauma) exam. Diagnostic and Interventional Ultrasound in Pediatric Surgery serves as a useful resource for a broad spectrum of pediatric care providers, including a growing number of ultrasound users, surgeons and pediatricians alike.