Cardiovascular/respiratory Flashcards
What is the initial/referal/imaging/diagnosis pathway for tumours?
GP
CXR - primary lung or Advanced mets
if there is further clinical concern more imaging modalities will be used:
CT/MRI/Radionuclide
Biopsy done under CT or US
Diagnosis
What is bronchial adenoma?
(Covers a wide range of neoplasms)
- can cause obstruction
typically late diagnosis due to lack of symptoms
Rare cancer
What imaging modalities are used for bronchial adenoma?
CT is the most commonly used/useful:
Virtual bronchoscopy
Biopsy
However MRI is used if CT is unclear
- not first line due to length of time:
movement artefacts
- main use for pancoast (apical) tumour - subset of lung carcinoma invasion of the chest wall
What is the treatment for a bronchial adenoma?
Chemo for Mets
Radiotherapy for singular area/lesion (depends on size)
Biopsy results:
Small cell carcinoma:
chemo +/- radiotherapy
bronchial (invasion of airway):
stent - palliative
Excision - depends on complexity/vascularity:
Small (wedge) resection
lobar
whole lung
Radiofrequency ablation (can only be used in certain areas)
What is the imaging pathway for lung carcinoma?
X-Ray of chest - diagnosis is not definitive
CT non-con
CT and IV contrast - chest + liver (primary and secondary mets)
MRI is superior for chest wall invasion:
assesses size/location/identifies liver mets (staging)
What are the advantages of using PET/CT imaging lung carcinoma?
- More accurate than CT alone
- Highly sensitive in picking up metabolic deposits
- PET can identify the extent of the disease at initial diagnosis:
- Essential for surgical/treatment planning
to assess spread
-PET is more accurate than CT in assessing spread and stage - And is more cost-effective in terms of determining if a tumour is operable or non-operable
- PET is useful in determining lung tumour response to therapy and detecting recurrence in successfully treated lesions
What are the disadvantages of PET/CT in imaging lung carcinoma?
Not readily available
Time-consuming
Costly
High dose
Slower throughput (waiting list)
What is the use (Why) of CT-guided biopsy in lung cancers?
Accurate location means an accurate sample
Avoids major anatomical structures (nerves/peritoneal/major blood vessels)
CT fluoroscopy interventional - used with fluoro
What are the advantages of fine needle aspiration?
Less invasive than core biopsy
Less tissue damage
What are the risks associated with lung biopsies?
bleeding
pnuemothorax
What are the advantages of CT fluoroscopy?
do not need to move in/out of room constantly
save images for reporting - reducing radiation
What is an endobronchial ultrasound used for?
Bronchoscopic technique
used for submucosal tumour for example
Future trend in imaging of lung tumours?
CT virtual imaging:
computer software programme
creates 3D environment from 2D CT scans
High resolution
Narrow collimation resulting in increased dose
overlapping needed for reconstruction
What is Lung radiofrequency ablation + what is it used for?
under imaging guidance - needles inserted into lesion - the tip of the needles/electrodes are then heated for controlled burning
used for early-stage lung cancer
or as palliative pain relief for inoperable cancer
When is Lung radiofrequency ablation contraindicated?
in patients with tumours that are adjacent to the:
- Mediastinum
- Airways
- Oesophagus
- Large blood vessels (aorta)
Pace makers must be evaluated
What is the process for Lung radiofrequency ablation + prep + why?
Preliminary images are used to assess best access route:
To avoid structures such as:
Ribs
fissures
Brachial Plexus
central bronchi
large blood vessels (aorta)
CT guidance - patient is under sedation (LA)
What is the post-op care for patients after Lung radiofrequency ablation?
CXR at 1hr and 3hr to check for pneumothorax (occurs in 30% of cases)
Night observation
Prescribed analgesic narcotics (for pleuritic pain)
What imaging modalities are most useful for imaging the vascular structures?
CTA
MRA
US doppler
What is interventonal imaging used for?
Diagnostic and therapeutic interventions
What are the benefits of interventional radiography?
Less invasive than surgery so risks are reduced
Available, must have access to an interventional suite at all hours
What is needed staff wise for coronary and for peripheral vascular interventions?
Coronary:
Cardiologist
Radiologist
Radiographer
Nursing staff
Peripheral:
Radiologist
Radiographer
Nursing staff
What is the gold standard imaging done in interventional?
Arteriography/angio
How is CTA/MRA used in vascular imaging/treatment?
Assessment tool used prior to intervention:
provide info about:
what intervention is needed
detail about blockage:
what it is
location
size
This means that in the suite only the intervention needs to be focussed on
What are the advantages of CTA in vascular imaging compared to interventional?
Less invasive
less prep required
Although may need to use interventional regardless if intervention is required
3D/MIP to visualise arterial structures and contrast flow in one image (pelvis to toes)
follow up on stent without contrast
What imaging and treatment can be used for cardiac/coronary vascular structures?
percutaneous coronary angiography
PTCA - percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty
Explain the procedure of a CTA used for cardiac imaging?
Requires fast acquisition
+
Gated (ECG)
=
Image taken within 1 heartbeat
to reduce movement artefacts
Fast heart rate, Beta blockers can be administered to slow down heart rate
Contrast can be triggered by HU using ROI to get most optimised highlighting from contrast
Calcium score can be calculated (pre-contrast)
which can predict a cardiac event
or
explain patient symptoms
Advantages of CTA used for cardiac imaging?
Ventricles dynamics are assessed
Function and anatomy
only requires 5 cardiac cycles
Explain the use of an MRA for cardiac imaging.
Assesses valves functionality
Dynamic studies:
the flow of blood through the heart
Avantages of MRI for cardiac imaging.
Contrast media is not always essential
Depends on local protocol
MRA/CTA how are movement issues solved?
Gated studies
ROI trigger
Discuss the use of NM in the imaging of CAD?
when?
what does it look at/see?
Diagnose and assess CAD:
ischemia
Cardiomyopathy
Possible damage to the heart
Reversible ischemia?
- Visualise blood flow pattern to cardiac walls (Myocardial perfusion scan)
- The extent of injury after an attack/myocardial infarction
- Evaluates the results of bypass surgery or other revascularization intervention designed to restore blood flow (angioplasty/catheter)
+ with ECG - heart wall movement and function
what conditions is Myocardial perfusion scan done under and what can it identify?
Rest v Stressed = compared
can identify hibernating myocardium and reversible ischemic damage
What is a MUGA scan and why is it used?
Multi-Gated-Acquisition
Assesses left ventricular fraction rate
assessed pre-chemo (as chemo affects the rate)
Process:
Red blood cells are labelled
MIN and MAX ROI are captured and assessed to assess functionality
What is a future trend imaging for cardiac/coronary imaging?
Rubidium PET/CT - assesses cardiac function
More sensitive and specific for myocardial viability
Done at stress and rest
Short half life at 75 secs
Expensive
What is a echocardiography + what is it used for?
Cardiac ultrasound - heart and surroundingv structures imaged
Diagnosis/management/follow up - used alongside other imaging modalities
What does an echocardiography see in images?
Chamber size
wall thickness
motion
proximal vessels
size and location of heart chamber
What does an echocardiography assess?
Assess:
location and the extent of tissue damage
The function of heart:
pumping capacity
Calculation of cardiac output
Ejection fraction
diastolic function
What does an echocardiography pick up abnormality wise?
Doppler:
heart flow and efficiency
abnormalities:
eddy currents
regurgitation
hypertrophic
dilated
What are the positives of echocardiography?
Non invasive
no side effects
What is a trans oesophageal echocardiography?
when is it used?
Echocardiography done through mouth
Used when normal echocardiography is inconclusive or further detail is required
what is an exception for an echocardiography being non-invasive?
what is the benefit?
Trans-oesophageal echocardiography
3D echocardiography + 4D
Detailed anatomical assessment
of cardiac pathology
Such as:
Valvular defects
Cardiomyopathies
What is the gold standard imaging for peripheral vascular imaging?
Interventional
What prep will a coronary angiogram require?
And what final image is required?
Vascular access
Monitoring
Room prep - scrub
Must be available for emergency/acute situations
Peripheral run-off
Why cant DSA be used on Interventional angiograms?
Movement - panning movement