Dartmouth Introduction to Imaging Flashcards
Radiographs
xrays are discrete quantities of what?
electromagnetic radiation that are produced outside the nucleus of an atom
Radiographs
what are xrays produced via?
in a generator by the interaction of an electron beam
Radiographs
describe screen film radiography
the cassette contains film and intensifying screens. when the xrays hit the film, a photochemical rxn occurs which causes the metallic silver in the film to precipitate which renders the film black when developed
Radiographs
describe digital (computed) radiography
the cassette contains a photo-stimulable phosphor detector system. when the xray hits the cassette, a fraction of the absorbed energy is trapped in the detector. A red laser light stimulates the emission of trapped energy and blue-green light is converted into an electric signal which is digitalized
Radiographs
when viewing an image, you cannot tell whether a structure is what or what?
anterior or posterior
Radiographs
the pts R side is displayed on which side of the image?
left
Radiographs
which structures look white on xray? why?
more dense (bone); because they absorb more
Radiographs
which structures appear black on xray? why?
air, fat; because they do not absorb as much
Radiographs
what color would each be?
* air
* fat
* soft tissue/organs
* metal, calcium, bones
- black
- gray/black
- gray
- white
Radiographs
what are low density structures called?
radiolucent
Radiographs
how does the thickness of something impact its appearance?
thicker structures absorb more, so it will appear whiter
Radiographs
which structures are the easiest to evaluate on radiograph?
- radiodense (bone/clacium)
- radiolucent
Radiographs
simply- how can you tell if a bone is broken on xray?
disruption in the smooth outer edge
Radiographs
a break in the bone is less dense… why? (so darker on xray)
space fills with blood and marrow
Radiographs
medulla vs cortex of bone
- medulla: inner portion, less dense (appears darker)
- cortex: outer portion, more dense, appears lighter
Radiographs
how to tell if a child’s growth plate is still open?
- smooth, undulating lucent line separating the epiphysis from the metaphysis
Radiographs
how to determine bone age using xray
evaluation of bony structures and growth plates of the hand
Radiographs
how should normal lungs appear?
black
Radiographs
how do abnormalities appear in the lungs?
typically varying shades of gray
Radiographs
what can CXR be used for?
- evaluate size/shape of the heart
- evaluating the pleura
- evaluating the lungs
Radiographs
what can abdominal xray evaluate?
- small and large intestines (because they are air filled, so appear darker)
- kidney stones
Radiographs
are abd xrays good for seeing organs?
no- all similar densities so hard to differentiate. sometimes adjacent fat can allow you to see borders
Computed Tomography
how are images obtained?
xray detectors located 180 deg from each other rotate around a patient to create axial slices of a patient
Computed Tomography
how to interpret the images? (like anterior/posterior/right side/left side)
the images are viewed as though the patient is lying down on their back and you are standing at their feet.
Computed Tomography
what can be used to enhance images?
contrast
Computed Tomography
colors according to density?
since xray is used… it’s the same!
so air/less dense = dark
bone/more dense= light
Computed Tomography
what makes up contrast?
iodine
Computed Tomography
how does contrast work?
dye is administered via IV and the tissues in the body take up the contrast at differing amounts. The more contrast that is taken up, the lighter the tissue will appear. this allows us to differentiate structures of similar densities that are right next to each other.
Computed Tomography
which abd organ absorbs the most dye?
kidneys so they’ll be the lightest
Computed Tomography
in general- CT vs xray in terms of visualization
CT better shows all structures than xray.
Computed Tomography
can you see blood vessels on CT?
yes & differentiate them from other structures.
Computed Tomography
what density is subarachnoid space and lateral ventricles in the brain?
low density, appears darker than other brain matter
Computed Tomography
do white and gray matter actually show up differently on CT?
YES- white matter is darker than gray matter. (white is less dense = darker)
Computed Tomography
generally what is CT used for
everything lol
Computed Tomography
what can chest CT identify?
4 general
- tumors/masses of the lung
- infection
- emphysema/other chronic lung diseases
- evaluate blood vessels for artherosclerosis, clots
Computed Tomography
When might CT be used for bone fractures? (4)
intra-articular fractures of the hip, ankle, knee or if tumor is suspected
Computed Tomography
why might CT of the abdomen be used?
6
- abd pain
- inflammatory conditions (appedicitis, diverticulitis)
- tumor assessment
- organomegaly
- kidney stones
- organ/bowel obstruction
Computed Tomography
what is 3D rendered imaging most commonly used for?
pre-op surgical planning
Computed Tomography
describe CT angiography
CT technique targeted to display the arteries so that catherters can be placed more safely
Ultrasounds
how are images created with US?
high frequency sound waves which are directed into the body and reflected back. The reflected sound waves provide information about the depth, type of tissue, and tissue interfaces which gets converted into grayscale images
Ultrasounds
do US use radiation?
no
Ultrasounds
what is the purpose of gel?
goes between the skin and the transducer to prevent air from intervening between the two
Ultrasounds
differentiate high frequency and low frequency sound waves
- high frequency: high resolution images, best for superficial images (do not deeply penetrate)
- low frequency: lower resolution images, deeply penetrate
Ultrasounds
characterize high intensity echos
- echogenic or hyperechoic
- appear white
Ultrasounds
characterize low intensity echos
- hypoechoic
- appear dark
Ultrasounds
how might the gallbladder look on US?
- fluid filled center: no echo returned, black
- walls: return echo, gray to white
Ultrasounds
how does the composition of adjacent tissues affect the appearance of the image?
- the greater the difference between the two adjacent structures, the greater the reflected sound waves are (more echogenic) and the whiter their borders appear
Ultrasounds
what structures are best visualized with US?
2 generalities
- solid organs (liver, kidneys, spleen)
- superficial structures (thyroid, testicles)
Ultrasounds
describe how US looks in pregnancy
- amniotic fluid appears black (no echo)
- uterine wall/abdominal wall appear gray
- fetus will be gray
Ultrasounds
which fluid filled structures can and can’t be visualized with US
- can: superficial like gallbladder, urinary bladder, heart
- poor: thoracic aorta because it is deep to bone/air
Ultrasounds
describe when US is used in pregnancy
- early pregnancy: confirm presence of embryo
- mid pregnancy: evaluate for fetal abnormalities