Editors: Susanne Keiding, Michael Sørensen

Functional Molecular Imaging In Hepatology

Special Offer (PDF + Printed Copy): US $131
Printed Copy: US $131
ISBN: 978-1-60805-677-4 (Print)
ISBN: 978-1-60805-290-5 (Online)
Year of Publication: 2012
DOI: 10.2174/97816080529051120101

Introduction

The eBook discusses how the special physiology of the liver must be considered when applying functional molecular imaging in hepatology. The main topics of the eBook include the clinical and scientific use and possibilities of functional molecular imaging for investigations of hepatic blood perfusion, substrate metabolism, and biliary secretion as well as for cancer diagnostics (primary and secondary liver cancers). Functional imaging of changes in cerebral blood perfusion and metabolism in patients with liver diseases is also covered. The eBook is written by internationally renowned experts and is intended for everyone who is interested in hepatology or functional molecular imaging.

Foreword

It is truly amazing what has happened with our understanding of liver physiology and pathophysiology over the last decades. We had black-box perceptions of what goes on in the liver as it could be judged from events in the systemic blood stream – much like earlier times’ understanding of the white spots on the maps of the big continents from what comes out with the rivers. Now, we have observational and experimental, non-invasive, true time, in vivo, direct, visualizing, functional, and molecular methods and we are eagerly filling up the canyons of lack of knowledge. This eBook reports a contemporary up-to-date snap-shot of this development. And better: this eBook is not a description of a completed travel after the main station has been reached – it is merely a situation report from a humble halt from which we know the train will continue up the tracks with increasing pace and load. This scientific journey brings to mind the famous words of one of the greatest hepatologists of all times, Danish Niels Steensen (1638-1686): “Beautiful is what we see; more beautiful is what we perceive; but most beautiful of all is what we do not perceive”. Thus encouraged and spirited, I recommend this eBook to discerning readers of the poetry and epic of what the liver really is and does.

Hendrik Vilstrup
Professor of Medicine and Hepatology
Aarhus University
Denmark


RELATED BOOKS

.Abdominal Pain: Essential Diagnosis and Management in Acute Medicine.
.Clinical Mechanics in the Gut: An Introduction.
.Comprehensive Practical Hepatology.
.Oesophago-gastric Surgery.