Philosophy of Advanced Medical Imaging

This is the first book to explore the epistemology and ethics of advanced imaging tests, in order to improve the critical understanding of the nature of knowledge they provide and the practical consequences of their utilization in healthcare. Advanced medical imaging tests, such as PET and MRI, have gained center stage in medical research and in patients’ care. They also increasingly raise questions that pertain to philosophy: What is required to be an expert in reading images? How are standards for interpretation to be fixed? Is there a problem of overutilization of such tests? How should uncertainty be communicated to patients? How to cope with incidental findings? This book is of interest and importance to scholars of philosophy of medicine at all levels, from undergraduates to researchers, to medical researchers and practitioners (radiologists and nuclear physicians) interested in a critical appraisal of the methodology of their discipline and in the ethical principles andconsequences of their work.

Stefano Fanti is full time employed in Nuclear Medicine as Professor of Diagnostic Imaging as well as Director of Nuclear Medicine Division at the S.Orsola Policlinic Hospital. Author of more than 1000 papers, including > 400 full articles published in peer reviewed international journals, several books (mainly for Springer) and chapters; invited lecturer at more than 120 national and international meetings.