B2.003 Cardiac CT and MRI

Question 1

What does CT stand for?

Answer 1

computed tomography

Question 2

How does a CT work?

Answer 2

using beams of x-rays to measure tissue densities

Question 3

List tissues found in CT by density and color.

Answer 3

air< fat < water< muscle < bone< contrast

Question 4

What is the standard CT image display?

Answer 4

Axial, standing at foot of patient bed looking through their body

Question 5

Can other planes be reconstructed from CT axial data?

Answer 5

Yes

Question 6

What does MRI stand for?

Answer 6

magnetic resonance imagine

Question 7

How does an MRI work?

Answer 7

using strong magnetic field and radiofrequency pulses to measure chemical properties of tissues

Question 8

What are standard MRI image displays?

Answer 8

axial, coronal, sagittal 2D slices

Question 9

Can other planes be reconstructed from MRI axial data?

Answer 9

no, each must be acquired separately

Question 10

Compare the time it takes to get a CT vs MRI?

Answer 10

CT - seconds

MRI - >30 min

Question 11

When is cadiac CT most useful?

Answer 11

Coronary artery eval

Question 12

What do you see on cardiac CT without contrast?

Answer 12

Calcium deposits to get the calcium score

Question 13

What do you see on cardiac CT with contrast?

Answer 13

plaque, stenosis, congenital anomalies

Question 14

What is EKG gating?

Answer 14

time x-rays for diastole to reduce cardiac motion artifact

Question 15

What are features of the right ventricle on a cardiac CT?

Answer 15

most anterior, closest to sternum

Question 16

What are features of the left ventricle on a cardiac CT?

Answer 16

thick walls

Question 17

What are features of the right atrium on a cardiac CT?

Answer 17

receives IVC and SVC

Question 18

What are features of the left atrium on a cardiac CT?

Answer 18

most posterior, closest to spine

Question 19

L. Coronary artery features

Answer 19

arises from L. coronary sinus, divides into LAD and CX

Question 20

LAD (L. anterior descending) features

Answer 20

through anterior interventricular groove, supplies anterior, apical, and septal regions of L. ventricle

Question 21

CX (circumflex) features

Answer 21

through posterior atrioventricular groove, supplies free wall of L. ventricle

Question 22

When is cardiac MRI useful?

Answer 22

evaluation of structure, function, and myocardial tissue characterization