Maximilian F. Reiser, MD

Since he was elected president of the European Society of Radiology in March, Prof. Maximilian F. Reiser has worked hard on expanding ESR's global reach and implementing new training and accreditation initiatives.

Acute stroke is a medical emergency that is potentially treatable. Because "time is brain," however, the imaging workup must be fast and therapy initiated rapidly.

Noninvasive cardiac imaging is gaining widespread acceptance. Both CT and MRI can determine the absence or presence of coronary artery disease accurately and reliably. This is done by either assessing the coronary artery morphology or by offering detailed insight into functional aspects and myocardial perfusion.

Renal cell cancer is the most frequently encountered malignant tumor in the kidney. Over 30,000 new cases are diagnosed annually in the U.S. Many cases are now detected incidentally, as a result of the widespread use of multislice CT. MSCT usage is also redefining diagnostic workup of renal lesions and facilitating renal cell cancer staging.

Pulmonary embolism is a common, potentially life-threatening condition.1 Diagnosing PE remains a major challenge because typical symptoms such as dyspnea, tachycardia, acute chest pain, and syncope are unspecific and may not be present in all patients. Imaging therefore plays a pivotal role in establishing a diagnosis.2

Dural sinus and cerebral venous thromboses (CVT) are difficult to diagnose. Symptoms are often nonspecific and may evolve slowly, and anatomic variations can further complicate diagnostic decision making. Unilateral aplasias of the transverse or sigmoid sinus, frontal agenesis of the superior sagittal sinus, and high partitions of the transverse sinus are common pitfalls in the diagnosis of CVT.