Exam 2 - Radiology for orthopedics Flashcards
True/false: Never order an x-ray for an ortho case until the history and physical are completed
True - most lesions obvious with clinical history
Most common reasons why x-rays are ordered
- Trauma
- Arthritis
- Degenerative changes
- Metastatic lesions
What form of imaging should be ordered if the provider wants to visualize a fracture?
X-ray
Advantages of an x-ray
- Simple
- Inexpensive
- Readily available
- Easy to interpret
Disadvantages of x-rays
- Radiation exposure
- Won’t see soft tissue (poor contrast)
- 2D
What form of imaging would the provider order to visualize an occult fracture?
MRI
What form of imaging would the provider order to visualize a stress fracture?
Nuclear medicine bone scan
What form of imaging would the provider order to visualize metastases?
Nuclear medicine bone scan
When would nuclear medicine bone scans be indicated?
- Really specific
- Looks at uptake, metabolic activity (highlights things)
- A lot of radiation exposure
What form of imaging would the provider order to visualize osteomyelitis?
X-ray
What form of imaging would the provider order to visualize lower back pain?
- Without radiculopathy - no imaging
- With radiculopathy - non contrast CT or MRI
What form of imaging provides the highest dose of radiation?
CT
What is the advantage of CT/MRI over x-ray
CTs and MRIs are 3D
Advantages of CT scans
- Look at different axial levels
- High bony detail
- Done quickly
Advantages and disadvantages of MRI
Advantages
- Good for soft tissue contrast (e.g. tendon, ligament)
- Superior contrast resolution
Disadvantages
- Not readily available
- Motion during scan causes artifact
- Contraindicated with devices, indwelling catheters
