Introduction to radiology of neck and thorax Flashcards
Pros and cons of radiography
+ quick, cheap, easy
- 2D, artefact, radiation
Pros and cons of computed tomography
+ quick, good spatial detail
-Poor tissue contrast, high dose
Pros and cons of Magnetic resonance
+versatile, good tissue detail, structure and function
-Limited availability, slow, artefacts, patient tolerance
Pros and cons of fluoroscopy
+Versatile, some functional info
-High dose
Pros and cons of ultrasound
+quick, cheap and safe
-User dependent, artefact
Pros and cons of nuclear medicine
+ functional, systemic
-Poor resolution, needs targeting
What is used to image bones
Plain film and CT
What is used to image spinal cord and nerves
MRI
What is used to image soft tissue
Ultrasound, CT and MRI
What is used to image vessels
Ultrasound, CT and MRI
What does the articulation of C1 and C2 allow
Pivoting of the neck
What are the steps of checking the neck
Check alignment of the neck using the anterior, posterior and spinolaminar line
Which part of the neck does the soft tissue bulge out
C4
What could a change in soft tissue be an indication of
Fracture
How do you overcome the things blocking your view of C2
Patient opens mouth and an X-ray of inside the mouth is taken
What happens if something doesn’t look right in a CT scan
Do an MRI
What can’t you see behind in an ultrasound
Can’t see behind structures filled with air ie trachea
Which orientation are x-rays taken from and why
Posteriorly
IN an anterior projection, you get a larger projection of the heart and mediastinum so therefore it will be harder to see if the heart is larger than normal
What hilum is higher
Left
When would you know if a heart is enlarged when looking at the chest X-ray
If the heart size is more than 50% of the thoracic size (cardiac-thoracic ratio is more than 50%)
what could black areas in a CT of the lungs indicate
Emphysema/COPD
How should you approach interpretation of imaging
Airway Breathing Circulation Disability Everything else
What should you check for when assessing airway
1) Trace trachea and continue to the right main bronchus
2) Trace carina and left main bronchus
What should you check for when assessing breathing
1) In inspiratory effort, the anterior 5-7 ribs should be visible above the diaphragm
2) Are both lungs of similar volume?
3) Look for collapse
4) Trace around entire pleural edge for pleural anomalies ie pleural thickening, pneumothorax, effusion
How should you check circulation
Check cardio-thoracic ratio (ratio should be below 50%)
