Here's a concise and easy-to-read introductory text that provides a foundation in the fundamental principles and practical application of emergency radiology. This new edition to W. B. Saunders' popular Fundamentals of Radiology series delivers informationessential to residents, staff physicians and medical students beginning clinical rotations - especially those in emergency department and other urgent care settings. Step-by-step tables, algorithms, and over 370 illustrations help readers to evaluate and interpret images depicting the most common traumatic and nontraumatic illnesses and medical conditions in adults and children. Step-by-step tables outlining the evaluation of commonly ordered imaging studies - from cranial CT scans to plain film evaluation of the chest, abdomen and extremities - help readers to develop a systematic approach to successful radiographic interpretation. Differential diagnoses ofcommon radiographic abnormalities are included for each of the tables mentioned above - facilitating further radiographic and laboratory evaluation or treatment. Clinical and radiographic pearls drawn from years of practice experience alert readers to potential problems and pitfalls - helping them to avoid common mistakes associated with plain film diagnosis. Helpful algorithms pilot readers through every phase of the work of frequently encountered traumatic and medical conditions - including evaluation of the patient with suspected cervical spine injury, suspected pulmonary embolus, and many more conditions. More than 370 crystal clear illustrations provide a hands-on education in reading and interpreting images from all of the popular diagnostic modalities used in the busy emergency department.