L05 – Introduction to Radiology of the Musculoskeletal System Flashcards
What are the soft tissues in a typical joint?
Muscle
Tendon
Ligament
Bursa
What are the advantages of radiography?
Readily available
Cheap and fast
Good bone and joint details especially for appendicular skeleton
What are the disadvantages of radiography?
Ionizing radiation
Limited soft tissue visualisation and differentiation
Not so good for complex anatomy or pathology
What are the applications of radiographic visualization in MSS?
1) Fracture
2) Bone tumors: Classification and diagnosis
3) Infection or inflammation i.e. osteomyelitis
4) Spinal column pathology: gross morphology i.e. degenerative scoliosis
Explain how CT scans work?
Combines continuous gantry rotation with table motion
» path of X-ray beam around patient follows a helical path
» Data acquired in single slice / single volume
Multi-slice helical scans produce a set of interleaved helices for reconstruction
Difference between helical CT scanning and Multi-slice helical reconstruction?
Helical scanning = one source, one detector
Multi-slice = increased detail and resolution using multiple sources and detectors
What are the advances in CT technology?
Faster scanning time for faster anatomical coverage
Higher resolution and finer detail
Software advances to improve image quality and 3D reconstruction
Advantages of CT in viewing MSS?
- Excellent for complex bone details
- Detects subtle soft tissue calcification
- Allow reconstruction into different planes (e.g. saggital, coronal)
- guide aspiration/ biopsy in deep tissue
Disadvantages of CT in viewing MSS?
Ionizing radiation higher
Quite expensive
Not as good as MRI and ultrasound for soft tissues differentiation
When is CT used to view MSS?
- Trauma with complex anatomy (i.e. pelvus, foot)
- Fast investigation in severe trauma with widespread damage
- High definition of bony details and calcification in tumours
- Deep seated abscess due to infection
- Guide nerve root block
What is HRUS used for visualizing?
High Resolution Ultrasound(HRUS)
For viewing superficial soft tissue details
Advantages of HRUS?
- No ionizing radiation
- Inexpensive
- Good for soft tissue details in superficial structures, masses
- Excellent spatial resolution particularly in superficial joints
- Real-time examination
- Available (+++), convenient
Disadvantages of HRUS?
- Operator dependent
- Long learning curve
- Limited depth of penetration of sound beam = poor delineation of large or deep masses/ cannot see through bone
When is HRUS used?
Confirm mass
superficial soft tissue pathology
Real-time examination of joints and tendons
Real-time guidance for aspiration or biopsy
What superficial soft tissue pathologies can HRUS help delineate?
- Cystic (hypoechoic/dark) or Non- cystic (hyperechoic/ light) masses
- Effusion vs Synovial thickening
- Dx of neurogenic tumour, lipoma