Page 8 - Atlas of Small Animal CT and MRI

Preface

The first biomedical use of CT and MRI occurred in the has informed the content of this atlas. We would also like
1970’s and over the past three decades these imaging to acknowledge our stellar residents and students whose
modalities have greatly advanced our ability to diagnose inquiring minds have motivated us to author this text.
disorders of companion animals. The rapid clinical Special thanks go to our technical staff, Rich Larson,
integration of CT and MRI since their introduction into Jason Peters, and Jennifer Harrison whose dedication
veterinary medicine, coupled with continual advances in and technical expertise over the years has been invalua-
imaging technology and an ever-expanding body of ble. We would also like to extend our gratitude to
literature, provide the inspiration for the Atlas of Small Michael French whose attention to detail has improved
Animal CT and MRI. the quality of this work immensely, and to John Doval
This book is intended for residents and specialists in who conceived the overall book design. Our editors,
most any clinical specialty, motivated veterinary stu- Nancy Turner and Catriona Cooper, and project man-
dents, and any practicing veterinarian who routinely ager, Aileen Castell, were instrumental in ensuring our
refers patients for advanced imaging. For those currently changes and suggestions were incorporated. Finally we
in training or new to CT and MRI, the text provides a would like to thank our loved ones, Gina, Tristan,
broad, image-rich exposure to the subject. For more Adriane, and Mike, whose support has given us the
seasoned veterinary specialists, the book serves as both a inspiration to complete this project.
refresher and as a quick reference. Winston Churchill once wrote “Writing a book is an
This is the first textbook of veterinary cross-sectional adventure. To begin with, it is a toy and an amusement;
imaging to present material in a comparative format and then it becomes a mistress, and then it becomes a master,
with correlation to other diagnostic tests and pathology. and then a tyrant. The last phase is that just as you are
The book includes more than 700 patient-based figures about to be reconciled to your servitude, you kill the
composed of over 3000 individual images to illustrate monster, and fling him out to the public.” The origin of
most of the common, and a few uncommon, disorders this book dates back to January 1, 2007 when the senior
diagnosed using CT and MRI. We have taken pains to use author, fortified with an ambitious new years resolution,
examples that have been definitively diagnosed, either drafted an initial outline and began archiving potential
histologically or cytologically, or by an overwhelming pre- material for inclusion. Fast forward eight years and we
ponderance of clinical and other diagnostic evidence. too have finally reached the point at which we need to
A text such as this is not written without the substan- kill the monster, and fling him out to the public.
tial support of many people. We would like to extend our
appreciation to our diagnostic imaging, neurology, Erik R. Wisner
surgery, medicine and other colleagues whose expertise Allison L. Zwingenberger

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