2.6.5. Imaging Anatomy Lower Extremities

Question 1

List 3 PROS of radiography

Answer 1

Rapid, cheap, good resolution

Question 2

List 3 CONS of radiography

Answer 2

> 1 view required for localization, radiation exposure, overlap of bones obscure images

Question 3

Can you image through casts using radiography?

Answer 3

YES! But it does obstruct vision a bit…

Question 4

List three joints/structures that require at least three different views.

Answer 4

Knee, ankle, foot

Question 5

What is fluoroscopy?

Answer 5

Real-time x-ray imaging

Question 6

What’s a PRO to fluoroscopy?

Answer 6

stimulation feedback

Question 7

What’s a CON to fluoroscopy?

Answer 7

Higher dose of radiation than plain radiography alone (b/c there’s a constant “stream” of xrays flowing)

Question 8

What is fluoroscopy especially useful for?

Answer 8

Evaluation of fractures

Question 9

What does CT stand for and what is it?

Answer 9

Computed Tomography - it’s an xray source that rotates around the patient

Question 10

List FIVE PROS to CT

Answer 10

Rapid, good resolution, can see deep to structures, works great w/casts, and may “window” images (choose what you can see)

Question 11

What colors do muscle and tendon appear in CT?

Answer 11

muscle = grey, but tendon = black

Question 12

List two CONS to CT

Answer 12

Decreased soft tissue contrast, metal implants ruin image quality

Question 13

What does MRI use to create images?

Answer 13

non-ionizing radiofrequency

Question 14

List two PROS to MRI

Answer 14

great soft tissue contrast, no radiation exposure

Question 15

List five CONS to MRI

Answer 15

expensive, long scan time, magnetic field can limit applicability, closed space, limited field of view

Question 16

What is T1 weighting best used for?

Answer 16

Anatomical identification

Question 17

What is T2 weighting best used for?

Answer 17

Pathology / eval of internal joint derangement, and finding “kissing contusions” from impact trauma via fat saturation

Question 18

What is nuclear medicine?

Answer 18

Administration of radioactive substance that’s attached to a pharmaceutical. This drug is metabolized as anticipated and then observed

Question 19

List two PROS to nuclear medicine

Answer 19

very sensitive, great functional information

Question 20

list two CONS to nuclear medicine

Answer 20

limited resolution, higher Pt dose of radiation

Question 21

List three PROS to ultrasound

Answer 21

fast (not the exam type), portable, widely-used

Question 22

List two CONS to ultrasound

Answer 22

limited penetration depth, cannot penetrate through some tissues (eg bone)

Question 23

Anatomically, what can you see with radiography?

Answer 23

Great for bone; can see fat and tendon, but not very well…

Question 24

Anatomically, what is CT best used for?

Answer 24

Bone and vessel evaluation

Question 25

3D image compilation is a great feature of CT that's useful for evaluating...

Answer 25

Bone fractures, and other structural issues

Question 26

Baker's cysts originate between what two muscles?

Answer 26

The semiMembranosus, and the Gastrocnemius Medial head (think MGM, like the casino or movie lion)