What's a good starting point for learning CT scans?

[The Angriest Bird]

I'm a third year now. I've decided to spend some time on learning to read CT scan, because in this modern time of medicine you just can't get away from it.

I think the main problem is that I don't know what's "normal". Cross-sectional anatomy is not covered in my anatomy class. So does anyone know if there's a "Netter's Cross Sectional Anatomy" ? Also, is there a good website where it shows you a scrollable CT scan from head to pelvis with all the major landmarks annotated? Thank you!

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[SouthernSurgeon]

I'm a third year now. I've decided to spend some time on learning to read CT scan, because in this modern time of medicine you just can't get away from it.

I think the main problem is that I don't know what's "normal". Cross-sectional anatomy is not covered in my anatomy class. So does anyone know if there's a "Netter's Cross Sectional Anatomy" ? Also, is there a good website where it shows you a scrollable CT scan from head to pelvis with all the major landmarks annotated? Thank you!

Couple ideas:
1) Do you have the option to do a 4th year radiology elective? Even if it's not at all what you're interested in, it is a good way to learn your way around a scan (plus at my school at least it's a cushy month)

2) On slower rotations/services, when you have a patient who gets scanned, go to the radiology reading room and ask one of the residents to look at the scan with you. Most of the time I've done this they are happy to spend a couple of minutes showing you what's what. Bonus of doing this is you can get reads done for your team faster, which your residents will certainly appreciate.

 

[Salpingo]

http://ect.downstate.edu/courseware/rad-atlas/

 

[medsurg2010]

Hi Op,

The best book I have ever read is called "Learning Radiology" by William Herring. It is organized by type of study and then by disease. For example, the Chest CT chapter has a section for "normal" and then a section for "Pulmonary embolism" etc..

It is a quick read, too. I keep it in my backpack for quick reference. It was invaluable for third year. And a bonus is a step-by-step method of quickly reading chest xrays. I blew my ER attending out of the water reading one chest xray because I had learned the proper steps. Now I feel confident that I have a "system" for reading them that works for me. CT is a little tougher, but same idea.

http://www.amazon.com/Learning-Radi...bs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1236317714&sr=8-1

 

[fsunavybabe]

For cross sectional anatomy / radiology in our anatomy+ class we used a lot of www.netanatomy.com

 

[confuse]

I think this is the online version of what you are talking about.
http://www.learningradiology.com/
It's a really good website for learning CXR and CT. I plan to look through it after I take my Step 1 test this summer.

The best book I have ever read is called "Learning Radiology" by William Herring. It is organized by type of study and then by disease. For example, the Chest CT chapter has a section for "normal" and then a section for "Pulmonary embolism" etc..