Imaging of bone

Question 1

What does osteolysis mean

Answer 1

Pathological destruction of bone tissue

Question 2

What does osteosclerosis mean

Answer 2

Abnormal hardening of bone tissue, elevation in density

Question 3

What does lucent mean

Answer 3

Allows radiation to pass more freely, looks darker on x rays. Think muscle or skin

Question 4

What are benign masses commonly described as

Answer 4

Well-defined

Question 5

What is a telltale sign of malignancy on radiographs

Answer 5

Poorly defined

Question 6

How much bone loss is needed for it to be visible on X-ray

Answer 6

50%

Question 7

What is bone loss caused by

Answer 7

Osteoporosis, healing fractures, infections or tumour

Question 8

Why do trabeculae become more apparent?

Answer 8

Increased weightbearing, adjustments made.

Question 9

What is wolffs law?

Answer 9

Bone in a healthy person will adapt to loads under which it is placed. If load is increased, bone will remodel itself

Question 10

What are the pros and cons of X-rays

Answer 10

Cheap and good for bony anatomy/trauma, but limited beyond this. Ionising radiation

Question 11

What are the pros and cons of CT scans

Answer 11

Better visualisation of bony detail. More expensive, gives a bigger dose of ionising radiation

Question 12

Assess the pros and cons of MRI

Answer 12

Expensive and claustrophobic, issues with magnetic fields, pacemakers etc. Better imaging of soft tissue, no ionising radiation

Question 13

Assess the pros and cons of ultrasound

Answer 13

Cheap and doesnt involve superficial anatomy. Good for superficial anatomy but can be imprecise..?