Imaging Studies Flashcards
Radiopaque
Not allowing the passage of x-rays (more white)
Radiolucent
Allow the passage of x-rays (more black)
X-rays
Relatively low energy radiation.
Electromagnetic wave energy
Wave form packets of energy called photons
Amount of energy = KeV
Attenuated
Weakened. The x-radiation is attenuated as it passes through a human.
As an object moves toward the source of the e-ray beam its shadow becomes _____
Larger
Fluroscopy
Moving/real time x-rays
HI studies like barium swallow, angiography, draining abscesses
CT Scan
- Very fast
- Computer assisted tomography
- Useful for the eval of soft tissue and bone as compared to x-rays.
- Uses x-rays to create cross-sectional pictures of the body.
- Significantly greater exposure to radiation than plain films.
CT Techniques
Bone Windows Lung Windows Venous Phase acquisition IV Contrast Oral Contrast Can do Angio-contrast CT as well
CT Contrast
IV Iodinated contrast is clears through the kidneys, so watch out for kidney failure.
MRI
Magnetic Resonance Imaging.
Good for imaging soft tissues, the brain, spinal cord, muscles, tendons and ligaments.
NO radiation
Contrast is gadolonium based
- can cause renal failure in ppl w/ kidney issues.
Ultrasound
No Radiation associated
A sound pulse is sent into the tissues, then is absorbed back into the receiver.
Hyperechoic
Increased amplitude of US waves returned. Typical of bone and dense tumor tissue. “white spots”.
Hyporechoic
Decreased amplitude of US waves returned. Typical of air or fluid or tissue that is less dense than what surround it. “dark spots”.
Doppler Ultrasound
Uses reflected sound waves to evaluate blood as it flows through a blood vessel.
- Helps for determining clots
- Helps for eva of possible stenosis
- Flow is measured using velocities
Nuclear medicine
Bone, PET (eval for cancer metastasis), Myocardial Effusion, MUGA (cardiac function), Cardiac Visibility, Thyroid/Parathyroid scan, Hepatobilliary, VQ, Lymphoscintigraphy (eval of lymph system).
