About this Research Topic
Diagnostic imaging is one of the cornerstones of veterinary medicine, and imaging technology has radically changed in veterinary medicine over the past twenty years. Digital radiography and ultrasound are widely available, and advanced imaging modalities, such as computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), have become the standard of care for non-invasive evaluation of many parts of the body. More recently, three-dimensional printing has become more accessible and affordable, making it possible to create models of individual patient anatomy and patient-specific devices from CT and MR images. Positron emission tomography (PET) is gradually becoming more available in veterinary medicine, while gaining widespread clinical use in human patients. Ongoing PET research promises to deliver molecular imaging for a growing number of clinical applications. New applications of existing technology and entirely new imaging modalities are constantly being developed that further advance diagnosis and treatment of veterinary patients.
Few regions have benefitted more from advances in diagnostic imaging than the head and neck. The head and neck are common sites of trauma, infectious disease, and neoplasia among other disorders. The complex anatomy of the skull limits the sensitivity of radiographs for diagnosing disease affecting the oral and nasal cavities, retrobulbar space, and maxillofacial structures. Radiographs and ultrasound are routinely used to evaluate the bones and soft tissues of the neck, but complete characterization and treatment planning often require additional imaging. CT and MRI are perfectly suited for evaluating the head and neck by creating cross-sectional images without superimposition and offering superior contrast resolution compared to radiographs. While CT and MRI have long been utilized for evaluating potential neurologic disorders, their use is also critically important for diagnosing and characterizing problems outside of the central nervous system.
The objective of this Research Topic is to highlight the role of imaging in diagnosing disease, planning treatment, and monitoring response to therapy in non-neurologic disorders of the head and neck in veterinary species. The Research Topic may include the introduction of novel imaging technology, innovative applications of imaging, and characterization of imaging modalities for diagnosis or treatment of problems affecting the head and neck. Research may be prospective or retrospective, and review articles on this topic are encouraged.
Few regions have benefitted more from advances in diagnostic imaging than the head and neck. The head and neck are common sites of trauma, infectious disease, and neoplasia among other disorders. The complex anatomy of the skull limits the sensitivity of radiographs for diagnosing disease affecting the oral and nasal cavities, retrobulbar space, and maxillofacial structures. Radiographs and ultrasound are routinely used to evaluate the bones and soft tissues of the neck, but complete characterization and treatment planning often require additional imaging. CT and MRI are perfectly suited for evaluating the head and neck by creating cross-sectional images without superimposition and offering superior contrast resolution compared to radiographs. While CT and MRI have long been utilized for evaluating potential neurologic disorders, their use is also critically important for diagnosing and characterizing problems outside of the central nervous system.
The objective of this Research Topic is to highlight the role of imaging in diagnosing disease, planning treatment, and monitoring response to therapy in non-neurologic disorders of the head and neck in veterinary species. The Research Topic may include the introduction of novel imaging technology, innovative applications of imaging, and characterization of imaging modalities for diagnosis or treatment of problems affecting the head and neck. Research may be prospective or retrospective, and review articles on this topic are encouraged.
Keywords: imaging, nasal, oromaxillofacial, retrobulbar, neck
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