Fundamentals of Interpretation Flashcards
What are the Interpretations Principles ?
1) Importance of recognizing normal anatomy
2) x-ray signs are the some in pano, PA, & CBCTs
3) Principle of symmetry
4) Radiographic signs: terminology & description
5) Categorization of disease and /or abnormalities
What is the importance of knowing anatomy?
- FOUNDATION of radiologic interpretation
- Structures are compared w/ a MENTAL IMAGE of NORMAL ANATOMY
Regardless of the ______________, the radiographic signs of disease & abnormalities remain the ___________
- Imaging modality
- Basically the same
How to interpret a PANO Radiograph?
1) FIRST evaluate IMAGE QUALITY: Image DENSITY, CONTRAST; CHECK for patent positioning errors, asymmetric magnification and/or distortion & artifacts
2) LOOK at BONY anatomy & compare mental “database” of normal
3) EVALUATE TMJs, ramus, & cervical spine
4) Along the bottom of the image, evaluate the hyoid bone & check for calcified carotid ATHEROMAS
5) LOOK at TEETH & ALVEOLAR RIDGES
6) EVALUATE diagnostic fast and region of interest
How to Interpret a FMX?
1) FIRST evaluate IMAGE QUALITY: Image DENSITY, CONTRAST; CHECK for HORIZONTAL angulation problems, closed contacts, cut off apices are all the teeth visible?
2) LOOK at BONY anatomy & compare mental “database” of normal
3) EVALUATE floor of sinus, alveolar bone, mandibular canal, lamina dura, PDL spaces, trabecular pattern, apical radiolucencies, etc
4) Check for restoration integrity, margins, caries, calculus, etc.
5) EVALUATE diagnostic task & region of interest
What is Viewing sequence GLOBALLY?
1) Assess symmetry of form & density
2) Follow cortical boundaries
3) Count teeth
What is Viewing sequence LOCALLY?
1) Assess periodontal ligament space & lamina dura
2) Evaluate root from & canal structure
3) Asses crowns for caries or abnormality
What is the Systematic Approach ?
1) Pt info (age, sex, race)
2) History
3) Symptoms
4) Clinical examination
5) Existing diagnostic radiographs
6) Image selection
7) Initial examination of images
What is the radiographic interpretation process, Abnormal Categorization ?
1) Developmental abnormalities
2) Acquired abnormalities
What are the acquired abnormalities?
- Cyst
- Bening neoplasia
- Malignant neoplasia
- Inflammatory lesion
- Bone dysplasia
- Vascular anomaly
- Metabolic disease
- Trauma
What is DMSLSIE?
D- Density M- Margin S- Size L- location S- shape I- Internal character E- effects on surrounding structures
What is the terminology for Radiolucent Lesions?
1) Corticated Unilocular Radiolucency (one basic lesion)
2) Non-corticated Unilocular Radiolucency (like soap bubbles–compartments)
3) Multilocular Radiolucency (Larger bubbles)
4) Multifocal (multi-locations ) Confluent Radiolucencies
- Well defined but not corticated
5) Moth-Eaten Radiolucencies (ragged border)
What is the terminology for Radiopaque Lesions?
1) Focal opacity
2) Target Lesion
3) Multifocal confluent Radiopacities
4) Irregular, ill-defined Radiopacities
5) Ground Glass Radiopacities (looks granular)
6) Mixed Density Radiopacities (mostly cystic w/ flecks of calcification)
7) Soft Tissue Opacities
What are the 5 soft Tissue Radiopacities?
1) Calcified lymph nodes (MOST TYPICAL ones that occur)
2) Sialoliths (submandibular gland)
3) Tonsiliths (MOST COMMON CALCIFICATION– may be a cause of halitosis as well!)
4) Phleboliths (calcified blood clots)
5) Calcified carotid atheromas (by bifurcation of artery)
- -Can be bilateral.
- -Common location = CCA
What are Radiographic Signs?
1) Radiographic density
2) Margin characteristics
3) Shape
4) Location & Distribution
5) Size
6) Internal architecture
7) Effect on surround tissue
What is the difference in DENSITY in Benign lesions?
1) Radiolucent
2) Mixed Radiolucent- radiopaque
3) Septations, loculations
