Imaging of the thorax Flashcards

1
Q

What is computed tomography?

A
  • an X-ray applied as a single beam

- then quickly rotated around the body

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2
Q

What type of rays does computed tomography use?

A
  • ionising radiation

- downside of CT

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3
Q

Everyone experiences some form of background radiation during routine day to day activities. What is the equivalent dosage from a CT scan?

A
  • 1 years worth of radiation on a chest scan
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4
Q

Are CT scans accessible and expensive?

A
  • cheap

- accessible

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5
Q

Do CT scans provide 2D or 3D images?

A
  • 3D cross sectional
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6
Q

Why is it difficult to detect specific tissue and abnormalities in CT imaging?

A
  • images are superimposed on top of each other

- this makes it hard to detect things in its own anatomical space

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7
Q

Why is ultrasound used so commonly in clinical proactice?

A
  • cheap and accessible

- non ionising

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8
Q

What is the biggest flaw of ultrasound?

A
  • operator dependent
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9
Q

What is radionuclide imaging?

A
  • a radioactive dye is inserted into the body
  • may be specific to a tissue or organ
  • the dye can be detected on the imaging modality
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10
Q

When using CT scans, why is reformatting important?

A
  • aspects of images can be edited to enhance clarity
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11
Q

Why is injecting patients with contrast a good thing?

A
  • contrasts show up on images better

- allows abnormalities to be identified better

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12
Q

When looking at images, which side is left and right?

A
  • looking at the image the right = left
  • left = right
  • unless stated otherwise
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13
Q

Instead of performing an operation blindly, what imaging technique may help with this?

A
  • ultrasound
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14
Q

Is X-ray or ultrasound better at detecting pleural effusions?

A
  • ultrasound

- X-rays are pass straight through fluid

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15
Q

What is echocardiogram?

A
  • ultrasound imaging

- used to identify cardiac and vascular structural changes

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16
Q

What is the normal direct a chest X-ray is performed?

A
  • from back to front

- postero-anterior (PA)

17
Q

When would you change from a postero-anterior chest X-ray to an anterior-posterior X-ray?

A
  • if the patient is unable to stand alone
18
Q

When analysing an X-ray what is one of the first things to check?

A
  • was the patient aligned centrally in the image

- any annotations on the image align with?

19
Q

What checking to see if a patient has inspired on an X-ray, where should the 6th anterior rib align with?

A
  • cross the diaphragm at the mid clavicular line
20
Q

When analysing an X-ray, what do each of the following words represent? ‘ Are There Many Lung Lesions Present’

A
  • Are = Abdomen
  • There = Thorax
  • Many = Mediastinum
  • Lung - Lung (right and then left)
  • Lesions = Lungs comparison
  • Present = Devices
21
Q

What are some common artefacts that can show up on an X-ray?

A
  • bra-straps
  • ECG leads
  • pacemakers
22
Q

On X-rays a gas bubble can be present on the left side, just above the diaphragm. Why is this normal?

A
  • this is the stomach

- the stomach contains air

23
Q

In a normal healthy X-ray what should the length of the mediastinum be roughly half of or less?

A
  • the thorax
24
Q

If the width of the mediastinum is greater than half of the thorax, what does this indicate?

A
  • patient has an enlarged heart
25
Q

What is the cardio thoracic ratio?

A
  • width of mediastinum is compared with thorax
26
Q

If a patient has a feeding tube that is supposed to go to the stomach, but accidentally it enters the trachea, where is it like to be lodged?

A
  • on right primary bronchi

- right aligns with trachea better at the carina

27
Q

When inserting a feeding tube for a patient, that is then check on an X-ray, how would you know this is in the correct place?

A
  • tube should cross the diaphragm at the midline
  • tube visible below the left hemisphere of diaphragm
  • tube dissects the carina
  • tube follows oesophagus and not trachea