1b: Gross Brain

Question 1

Describe three aspects of CAT scans

Answer 1

Uses x-rays, quick, most useful for brain injuries. 
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Question 2

Describe five aspects of sMRI

Answer 2

1.) Structural
2.) detects magnetic fields and radio waves
3.) no ionizing radiation or radioactive tracers
4.) expensive
5.) no metal, claustrophobic, or uncooperative patients
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Question 3

Describe two aspects of DTI (diffusion tensor imaging)

Answer 3

1.) MRI variant that measures restricted diffusion of water.
2.) Image white matter and trace axonal pathways.
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Question 4

Describe one aspect of angiography

Answer 4

1.) Administer radio-opaque tracer and image with X-RAYS
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Question 5

What affects of glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) causes loss of symmetry on imaging (2)?

Answer 5

1.) Herniation of brain parenchyma.
2.) Displacement of ventricles.
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Question 6

Describe four characteristics of fMRI

Answer 6

1.) Detects blood flow changes
2.) Low invasive
3.) Lack of radiation
4.) Wide availability
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Question 7

Describe PET scan. Give 3 limitations.

Answer 7

PET: Use injected radioligands to trace metabolic activity of specific substances; with focus on specific functional and neurotransmitters. 
-Limitations: half-life of tracers is short, use of radioisotopes, expensive. 
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Question 8

Give two characteristics of SPECT (compared to PET). Two limitations.

Answer 8

Like PET, but uses gamma-ray emitting radioisotopes. Tracers have longer half-life than PET tracers. 
-Limitations: Radioisotopes, expensive, poor resolution. 
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