M104 T1 L14 Flashcards
What are the imaging modalities for the abdomen?
X-ray (plain film) / Fluoroscopy
Ultrasound
CT, MRI
What’s the difference between plain imaging and cross-sectional imaging?
plain - xray
cross - CT scan
Why is it easier to pick out anatomy on C.T. scans rather than xrays
bc everything is superimposed from front to back whereas CT is a slice where you can see the anatomy in relationship of one part of the anatomy relative to another
How does the effect of increasing the spatial resolution of an x-ray differ to when done to an MRI?
xray - increased clarity
MRI - more pixelated, lower level of detail
What’s the difference between the level of detail that can be viewed on the MRI than on plain film?
MRI can identify individual muscle fibres, articular cartilage, and muscles in addition to bone, soft tissue and fat that can be seen by plain film.
Does MRI or plain film have a higher contrast resolution?
MRI
Does MRI or plain film have a higher spatial resolution?
plain film
What tissues can be identified by plain film / on an xray?
bone and soft tissue
within soft tissue might be able to pick up difference between fat, the subcutaneous fat, the muscle and other soft tissues deeper
What tissues can be identified by an MRI?
bone, articular cartilage, muscles very distinctly from the subcutaneous fat
within the muscles can see individual fibres
Why do MRIs have a higher level of detail than plain film?
bc it has many more shades of grey within the soft tissue
What are the most common and basic sequences of images that can be produced by an MRI?
the T1 and T2 weighted sequences
What is the difference between the T1 and T2 weighted sequences on MRI imaging?
T1 - fluid is black
T2 - fluid is white
How are contrast agents administered?
IV or enterally (oral / PR) before a scan
In what weighted sequence of MRI imaging do Paramagnetic contrast agents have their strongest effect and why?
in T1 weighted imaging bc they predominantly alter the T1 relaxation time in the tissues in which they have accumulated
How do contrast agents differ to the surrounding material on x-rays?
they are either more or less dense than surrounding materials
How do contrast agents differ to the surrounding material on MRI scans?
they are paramagnetic, so they have an impact on the MRI signal
What are examples of solid viscera?
the liver, kidneys, spleen
What are examples of hollow viscera?
the bladder and the bowel