ICL 2.0: Introduction To Radiology

Question 1

what are the different radiology scans you can do?

Answer 1

1. plain radiograph
2. CT scan
3. bone scan and SPECT
4. MRI
5. angiography

Question 2

what is a CT scan?

Answer 2

axial slices of X-rays

Question 3

what is a bone scan & spect?

Answer 3

more specific than X-ray

it tags Ca and phosphorous* in bones and then the tag emits game rays which is picked up by a gamma ray camera –> the parts with increased phosphorous will show up bright white/dark black in bone scan

3 phases

Question 4

what is an MRI?

Answer 4

magnetic fields align all the molecules in our body WITHOUT radiation

used for ligaments, cartilage, muscle because they aren’t seen well with X-ray

Question 5

what is an insufficiency fracture?

Answer 5

normal stress on an abnormal bone

aka old people with weak bones!

old people have osteoporosis, osteomalacia, Paget’s disease and fibrous dysplasia

Question 6

what is the hallmark of a sacral insufficiency fracture?

Answer 6

Honda sign

literally looks like an H in the bone scan

Question 7

what are two main types of stress injuries?

Answer 7

1. stress fracture

2. shin splits

Question 8

what’s the difference between stress fractures and shin splints?

Answer 8

both stress injuries

stress fractures are focal, cortical uptake that may extend into medullary space – will show up abnormal on 3 phase bone scan study

shin splints are more diffuse tibial uptake in a linear pattern

Question 9

what is a march fracture?

Answer 9

fracture in the foot common in military men

Question 10

what are the advantages of MRI?

Answer 10

1. multiplayer capabilities
2. great for soft tissue injuries
3. post operative evaluation
4. excellent in evaluating stress bone fracture and marrow edema (bone bruising)

Question 11

what color are tendons on MRIs?

Answer 11

black

muscle is grey

Question 12

what are the advantages of CT scans?

Answer 12

1. great resolution in axial, saggital and coronal with MCDCT
2. great modality for bone fractures in 3D
3. CTA can evaluate any associated vascular injury with a single examination
4. 3D evaluation helps in surgery planning
5. CT also evaluates associated visceral and soft tissue injury

Question 13

what can radiology imagining be used for in relation to the abdomen?

Answer 13

1. abdominal pain
2. mass
3. GI bleeding
4. distension
5. change in bowel habits

Question 14

what happens when there is a closed loop obstruction in the digestive tract?

Answer 14

obstructed blood flow so venous return is effected 1st which means no blood going out and increased pressure in the intestines

eventually the arteries will also be effected and lead to ischemia = dead bowel

Question 15

what are 2 common causes of lower GI bleeds?

Answer 15

1. diverticulosis

2. cancer

Question 16

what will you see on an X-ray of a cancer patient who is having lower GI bleeding?

Answer 16

“apple core”

colon narrowing that looks like an apple core because there’s a tumor on both sides

Question 17

what will you see in the X-ray of a patient with a pneumothorax?

Answer 17

a deep sulcus sign!!

pneumothorax = the presence of air or gas in the cavity between the lungs and the chest wall, causing collapse of the lung

it’s a deep pocket on the lower area of the lung that’s dark and separated from the rest of the lung