20.9.1: Practical MSK radiography

Question 1

This represents a good image (positioning etc.) for a hip ventrodorsal view. How can you tell this?

Answer 1

• Centred on the hips
• Patella in trochlear groove
• Obturator foramina are the same size
• Ileal wings are of a similar size

Question 2

What view of the stifle is shown here? Comment on the positioning of the patient.

Answer 2

This is a mediolateral view of the stifle
Positioning is good; the femoral condyles overlie one another.

Question 3

What radiographic views should you take to assess the stifle?

Answer 3

• Mediolateral
• Caudocranial or craniocaudal

NB: caudocranial is considered better as it allows the joint to be closer to the plate

Question 4

If the joint is far away from the plate, what is the effect on the resulting image?

Answer 4

The joint in the radiographic image is magnified and distorted

Question 5

What view of the stifle is shown here?

Answer 5

Caudocranial view

Question 6

What view is being taken here?

Answer 6

Stifle - Caudocranial view

Question 7

What view is being taken here?

Answer 7

Stifle - Craniocaudal view

Question 8

Comment on the quality of this image

Answer 8

This is a ventrodorsal view of the hips
* No L/R marker!
* Positioning looks good: ileal wings similar size, obturator foramina similar sizes
* However, need to see patellas/stifles to be sure positioning is correct

Question 9

What view of the cat’s tarsus is shown here?

Answer 9

Plantardorsal view

Question 10

What view of the dog’s carpus is shown here?

Answer 10

Dorsopalmar

Question 11

Rank these materials from least to most radiodense:
* Bone
* Fat
* Air
* Soft tissue
* Fluid
* Metal

Answer 11

1. Least radiodense - Air
2. Fat
3. Soft tissue/fluid
4. Bone
5. Most radiodense - Metal

Question 12

Bony changes can be classified as _____________ or _____________

Answer 12

Proliferative or destructive

Proliferative = new bone in unusual sites, whiter appearance

Question 13

What type of bony reaction (proliferative or destructive) is shown here? What condition is pictured?

Answer 13

Craniomandibular osteopathy
Proliferative reaction

Question 14

What type of bony reaction (proliferative or destructive) is shown here? What condition is pictured?

Answer 14

Severe osteoarthritis in elbow joint
Proliferative

Question 15

What type of bony reaction (proliferative or destructive) is shown here? What condition is pictured?

Answer 15

Osteosarcoma
Both proliferative (neoplasm itself) and destructive (e.g. cortex of radius)

Question 16

What condition is pictured here?

Answer 16

Dystrophic mineralisation
* Calcium salts are laid down in degenerative tissue
* There is mineralisation of the supraspinatus tendon -> tells us that the tendon is damaged and inflamed causing calcium to be laid down

Question 17

What type of bony reaction (proliferative or destructive) is shown here? What condition is pictured?

Answer 17

Bone cyst
Destructive lesion: the walls of the distal femur are thinned and there are no reactive/proliferative changes associated with this lesion.

Question 18

Name the condition causing the lesion in this image

Answer 18

Panosteitis
Lesion is visible in the proximal ulna (there is increased radiodensity)

Question 19

What type of bony reaction (proliferative or destructive) is shown here? What condition is pictured?

Answer 19

Sclerosis surrounding bone infection
* This is a destructive lesion with sclerosis of the surrounding area
* The body is attempting to wall off an area of infection

Question 20

What type of bony reaction (proliferative or destructive) is shown here? What condition is pictured?

Answer 20

Neoplasia
* Destructive lesion with loss of normal trabecula pattern and thinning of the cortex.
* There is also an area of bone proliferation on the caudal aspect of the humerus below the tubercle.