Imaging of Endocrinology Flashcards
What imaging technique is best to view the pituitary gland
MRI
What plane is best to view the pituitary on CT
Axial
What structure does the pituitary gland sit in
The sella turcica
What connects the brain and the pituitary gland
Pituitary stal
What lies immediately posterior to the pituitary
The optic chiasm
What is found lateral to the pituitary gland
Carotid arteries
The pituitary gland is inferior to what structure
Hypothalamus
What is sometimes describes as a snowman on MRI
Pituitary macroadenoma
What is the most common problem affecting the pituitary gland
micro-adenoma
What do micro-adenomas do to the pituitary
Alter the endocrine function but do not cause compression symptoms
e.g. high prolactin
Why do thyroid images not always require IV contrast
They still return a relatively high attenuation compared to other structures
The thyroid gland is superficial to the strap muscles. True or false ?
False it is deep to them
What structures appear larger on CT, internal jugular veins or common carotid arteries
Internal jugular veins
What structures are at risk in thyroid surgery
Parathyroid glands and
Recurrent laryngeal nerves
What does the Right recurrent larygenal nerve swoop round
The right subclavian artery
What does the Left recurrent larygenal nerve swoop round
The aortic arch
If the patient has been diagnosed with something, is there any point in imaging?
Yes - to establish the origin of the problem - whether it is diffuse or focal
What are some Diffuse causes of hypothyroidism
Grave’s
Thyroiditis
What are some focal causes of hypothyroidism
Dominant nodule
What scans are performed to differentiate between diffuse and focal
Ultrasound and Radioisotope studies
What type of structures are adrenal glands
Retroperitoneal
What are adrenal glands seen as in CT scans
Y shaped structures
What imaging technique is best to view the adrenal glands
MRI in axial or coronal planes
What are the two limbs of the adrenal glands
Medial and lateral
The right adrenal lies posterior to what structure
IVC
Adrenal metastasis are most commonly seen in what type of cancer
Lung
If there is fat present in a CT scan of an adrenal gland, what is this highly suggestive of ?
Adenoma
What is the diaphysis of a bone
Shaft
What is the metaphysis of a bone
Changing part of the bone (flared part)
What is the epiphysis of a bone
Cartilaginous part that sits on top of the bone
Describe the cortex of bone
densely packed bone
Describe the medulla of bone
Cylindrical central part of the bone
Describe the trabeculae of bone
Thin white lines that make up the normal pattern of bone
What is poorly seen in MRI scans
Trabeculae and medullary bone
What do we not see very well on radiographs unless it is diseased
Periosteum
What do osteoblasts replace the cartilage with
Osteoid
What do asteroids mineralise to form
Bony trabeculae
Where do cartilaginous bones ossify (primarily and then secondarily)
Primarily - diaphysis
Secondarily - epiphysis
What are some common diffuse bone abnormality
Osteoporosis
Rickets
Pagets
fibrous displasia
What is osteoporosis
Brielle bones that are prone to fracture due to a reduction in trabecular density
What is a pathological fracture
Normal force through an abnormal bone
What are some secondary causes of osteoporosis
Steroids
Early menopause
Anorexia
What conditions result in soft bones
Rickets
Osteomalacia
Paget’s disease
What causes Rickets
Vitamin D deficiency
How do patients normally present with Rickets
Bowed legs and at the age of starting to walk
What causes Paget’s disease
Increased bone turnover with unknown cause / origin
