12: Interpretation of X-Rays - Mahoney Flashcards
introductory statement
I am looking at # x-rays of the ___ ankle of a skeletally _____ individual in a _______ position. There is a ______ projection (list all). The quality of the x-ray is _______ for visualizing soft tissues and bone.
- number x-rays
- which foot
- mature/immature
- weight bearing/ non- weight bearing
- projection/position
- adequate/inadequate
immature bone =
at least one open growth plate
mature bone has no open growth plate
which image is used to determine weight-bearing if not marked?
lateral image
if heel on the same plane as the metatarsals, assume it is weightbearing
if you can’t figure it out say “weightbearing status cannot be determined”
any other image besides an AP or lateral is called a ….
position
ex: medial oblique (medial surface is closest to cassette)
if you can see 3-5 metatarsals clearly w/o overlap, its a …
MO
if you can see 1-2 metatarsals clearly w/o overlap, its a …
LO
if the bones look too white =
**
underexposed
if the bones look too dark =
***
overexposed
what do the following things look like?
swelling
gas
swelling will increase the distance of the skin from the bone and will look more radiopaque (radiosclerotic) than normal
gas will look radiolucent
mention soft tissue calcificationand calcified vessels if present as part of your soft tissue interpretation
osteosclerotic vs. osteolytic
increased bone density
decreased bone density
congruous
deviated
subluxed
dislocted
in relation to joints
normal
articular surfaces intersect outside of joint
articular surfaces intersect inside of joint
articular surfaces not in contact
tumor quality
speckled
ground glass
cloudy
tumor derived from cartilage cells
tumor derived fromfibrous cells
osseous tissue derived tumor
you can also describe the boundary of the tumor as well or poorly defined
if nail bed has been lacerated =
open fracture
fracture
skin intact
closed
fracture
skin break due to bone pushing out of skin
open
fracture
involves both cortices
complete
fracture into the joint
intra-articular
fracture is roughly perpendicular to long axis of bone
transverse
fracture length is less than 2X the diameter of the bone at the level of fracture
oblique
fracture length is greater than 2x the diameter of the bone at the level of the fracture
spiral
more than 2 pieces to fracture
comminuted
piece of bone pulled away from main body of bone
avulsion
nor able to be seen initially o x-ray and implies a small, non-displaced fracture
stress
usually seen in three weeks as it starts to form an external callus from periosteal reaction
bending force on a long bone causes one cortex to break, but opposite cortex remains in place- usually seen in children
greenstick
when discussing fracture displacement, the direction of displacement is described by the…
distal fragment
