imaging of circulatory disturbance

Question 1

Be familiar with the use of contrast agents.

Answer 1

inexpensive, easy to use, painless, stable

Question 2

Illustrate the causation of contrast reactions.

Answer 2

hypotension, allergy, pulmonary oedema, nausea, itching, flushing
asthma/atopy
poor renal function
diabetes

Question 3

spiral CT.

Answer 3

enables acquisition in single breath hold. better coordination with IV contrast. must quicker leading to higher patient throughput and reduce patient radiation dose

Question 4

M-mode, real time, B-mode scanning and Doppler scanning.

Answer 4

M-mode- motion mode assess heart valve movement
B-mode- scans an anatomical plane
doppler- shows direction/velocity of flow- diagnosis DVT

Question 5

Illustrate indications and contrast agents in ultrasound.

Answer 5

Contrast is made from microbubbles
1. characterise a lesion
2. assessment of organ perfusion
3. good if people can’t tolerate other contrasts

Question 6

limitations of CT

Answer 6

1. won’t identify small volume leaks
2. only a snapshot image so can’t exclude bleeding
3. Can’t identify between acute and chronic thrombosis

Question 7

Explain the principles of ultrasound, including physics and hardware, production of image

Answer 7

electricity, ultrasound waves, reflect back off tissue and turned into electricity and converted into a pictorial form