Module 8, Year 1 - Radiology Flashcards
What is the anode heel effect?
Greater x-ray absorption occurs at the anode (+) side, thin part toward anode and and atlas at anode
What primarily controls density on a x-ray?
mAs - increasing mAs increases quantity of photons reaching film, increasing density
What makes a x-ray appear darker?
Increasing mAs
If a x-ray film is too light or too dark, what is the rule to change it?
Change mAs by a factor of 2
Inverse square law
The intensity of the x-ray beam is inversely proportional to the square of the distance of the object from the source. In other words, there is a rapid decrease in intensity as the beam spreads out over an increasingly larger area
T or F: KVP fine-tunes the density of the x-ray film.
False, KVP does NOT change the density of the x-ray film.
How does KVP affect the x-ray film?
Increases the contrast, short scaling, or creating more black and white (less detail)
OR
Decreases contrast, long scaling, or creating more grey (more detail)
What is the 15% rule?
If you want to double density, 2x mAs and increase kvp by 15%. If you want to half density, 1/2 mAs and decrease kvp by 15%.
How would you adapt a film for children or the elderly?
Decrease exposure by 30%
Why collimate?
Decreases radiation dose, scatter and density; while increasing the contrast
What does ALARA mean?
Keep radiation “as low as reasonably possible”
Do x-rays accumulate in the body?
No, x-rays do not make you radioactive, but the effects of exposure can accumulate.
What is OID?
The object to image receptor distance (OID) is the distance between the object to the detector.
OID is directly proportional to size distortion.
What is SID?
The source image receptor distance (SID), is the distance of the tube from the image receptor, affecting magnification. The greater the SID, the less magnification the image will suffer.
The SID is inversely proportional to size distortion.
What is the best way to avoid shape distortion?
Proper equipment alignment and patient positioning
What is dynamic range?
The ability of the detector to respond to change in exposure.
What is basilar invagination? What are some ways to determine if someone has this?
Upward displacement of the vertebral elements into the normal foramen magnum with normal bone - upward migration of the upper cervical spine.
McRae's Line McGregor's Line Chamberlain's Line Digastric Line Bimastoid Line
What are common causes of invagination?
Deformity (whether genetic or acquired) or softening of the bone at either the occipital bone or upper neck, esp. the dens.
Describe Chamberlain’s Line
Line joining the back of the hard palate with the opisthion
If dens is more than 3mm above this line, basilar invagination is suspect
Describe McRae’s Line
Line joining opisthion and basion
If dens is less than 5mm away from this line, basilar invagination is suspect
Describe McGregor’s Line
Line between hard palate and the most caudal point of outer table of occiput - only used when the opisthion is not available
If the tip of dens lies more than 4.5mm above this line, basilar invagination is suspect
Describe digastric line
Line drawn between right and left digastric grooves.
Tip of dens and atlanto-occipital joint normally project 11mm and 12mm below this line.
Basilar invagination is suspect when the dens is at or above this line.
Describe bimastoid line
Line between tips of the mastoid processes
Basilar invagination is suspect if the tip of dens projects above 10mm
What is Platybasia/Flat Skull Base/Martin’s Anomaly?
Developmental anomaly (or acquired deformity) of the skull in which the base of the posterior cranial fossa bulges upward; seen as flattening angle between clivus and body of sphenoid.
Determined by basilar angle, measuring greater than 143 degrees.