Brain Scans Flashcards

You may prefer our related Brainscape-certified flashcards:
1
Q

What are the types of Brain Scans?

A
  • Computed Axial Tomography (CAT)
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)
  • Positron Emission Tomography (PET)
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
2
Q

What is a Computed Axial Tomography (CAT) Scan?

A
  • Series of x-rays that combine to form a 2D/3D picture
  • Dye is injected into patient as a contrast material
  • Patient placed in cylindrical CAT scan machine
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
3
Q

What are the Strengths of CAT Scans?

A
  • Useful for revealing abnormal structures in brain such as tumors/structural damage
  • Quality of image is higher than a traditional X-Ray
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
4
Q

What are the Weaknesses of CAT Scans?

A
  • Requires more radiation than traditional X-Rays - more exposure to radiation
  • Pregnant women are unable to be scanned in this way
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
5
Q

What are Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) Scans?

A
  • Involves use of magnetic field that cause atoms of brain to change their alignment when magnet is turned off
  • A detector reads signals and uses them to map out the structure
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
6
Q

What are the Strengths of MRI Scans?

A
  • Give a more detailed image of soft tissue in brain that CAT scans
  • Best suited for cases when patient is to undergo examination several times successively in a short period of time - not exposing patient to radiation
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
7
Q

What are the Weaknesses of MRI Scans?

A
  • Takes a long time

- Uncomfortable for patients

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
8
Q

What is a Functional MRI (FMRI)?

A
  • Provides both anatomic + functional information by taking repeated images of the brain in action
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
9
Q

What are Positron Emission Tomography (PET) Scans?

A
  • Involves administrating slightly radioactive glucose to patients
  • Most active areas of brain use glucose + radiation detectors can see the radioactive areas - building up a picture of activity in brain
  • Scans take 10-40 minutes to complete + are painless
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
10
Q

What are the Strengths of PET Scans?

A
  • Reveal chemical information that is not available with other imaging - can distinguish between benign (not harmful) and malignant (harmful) tumors
  • Can show brain in action
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
11
Q

What are the Weaknesses of PET Scans?

A
  • Extremely costly - therefore not easily available for research
  • Patient has to be injected with a radioactive substance
  • only be used a few times
  • Less precise than MRI scans
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly