Brain Imaging (10) Flashcards
Does X-Ray Computerized Tomography have radiation?
Yes it does
What is the theory behind CT?
It images the brain from several directions via a rotating X- Ray beam. The beams are attenuated as they go though the body’s tissue and the rate of attenuation varies based on tissu composition. Therefore radiodensity information is detected.
What are the clinical applications of CT?
It enhances the visualization of bony anatomy,acute hemorrhage or stroke, and elements with high atomic number (calciu, iron, lead)
What are the advantages of CT?
It is faster and less expensive than MRI and can be used as an initial screening and assessment tool
What are the disadvantages of CT?
There is radiation, and less contrast between soft tissues and lower spacial resolution when compared to MRI
On a CT, what is a hypodense region?
It is dark and usually indicates edema or infarct
On a CT, what is a hyperdense region?
It is light and usually indicates calcification or hemorrhage or bone trauma
On a CT what are tumors indicated by?
Swelling/ edema and anatomical distortion
What is the science of Anatomic MRI based on?
Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR)
Is there radiation in MRI?
No, there is not
What are the advantages of MRI?
High resolution and detailed visualization of soft tissue
Describe the physics of MRN
Hydrogen atoms have a “spin” and the “Spin” produces a small magnetic field. When the “Spinning” proton is placed in a large, external magnetic field it will wither align with or against the external field. It then wobbles at a frequency proportional to the magnetic field.
A radiofrequency (RF) pulse is applied to tip the proton away from the direction of the magnetization (helps to detect the signal more readily)
When the pulse is turned off the protons realign and the energy absorbed from the pulse decays
As the energy decays, a RF signal is emitted and recorded.
In and MRI, why is the decay rate sometimes different?
Because of the composition of tissue
In an MRI, why is the RF pulse sequence varied?
To accentuate the tissue of interest
What are the 3 things needed for an MRI?
Magnet, RF coil, Gradient coil
How are the digital images of MRI constructed?
each pixel of the image is encoded with a numerical index that represents the relative strength of the RF signal in the area of the brain to which that pixel corresponds.
Each numerical index is assigned a gray scale value.
What are the four major diagnostic applications of anatomic MRI?
1- Inflammatory disease (like MS)
2- Neoplastic Disease (tumors)
3- Epilepsy
4- Cerebrovascular Disease (stroke)
Which imaging modality permits the study of the chemical structure of the brain?
Magnetic Resonance Spectroscoy (a form of MRI)
What are the 4 chemical substances that are studied in MRS?
N-acetylaspartate(NAA), Choline (Cho), Creatine (Cr), Lactate (Lac)
In MRS, how are different tissues defined?
Different ratios of the 4 chemical substances studied by the modality
What is physics behind MRS?
When a RF pulse is applied, each chemical component emits a specific frequency and an NMR spectrum is generated