Imaging of the liver

Question 1

What are some advantages and disadvantages of plain film radiographs?

Answer 1

Advantages: Cheap, inexpensive, relatively low dose of radiation, quick, portable, readily available
Disadvantages: Poor contrast resolution, poor soft tissue discrimination, radiation exposure, 2D representation of 3D image

Question 2

What are some of the advantages and disadvantages of ultrasound?

Answer 2

Advantages: cheap, quick, portable, no radiation, uninvasive, versitile, good resolution of superficial structures
Disadvantages: Operator dependent, inability to penetrate through bone/air, doesnt work very well on obese patients

Question 3

What is the best imaging technique for picking up gallstones?

Answer 3

Ultrasound because they are often not visible on x ray

Question 4

What is flouroscopy?

Answer 4

Use of real time x rays to look at a structure with contrast e.g. barium swallow in GI tract

Question 5

What are the advantages and disadvantages of CT scanning?

Answer 5

Advantages: Excellent soft tissue discrimination, 3D representation, allows visualisation of deep structures, widely available
Disadvantges: Radiation dose, expensive, requires contrast (nephrotoxicity)

Question 6

What are the advantages and disadvantages of MRI?

Answer 6

Advantages: No toxic contrast necessary, Multiplanar imaging, Especially good for joints and CNS
Disadvantages: Expensive, Limited availability, contraindications e.g. metal