musculoskeletal imaging + radiologic evaluation of fracture Flashcards
Imaging can provide an ___(objective/subjective)___ visual aspect to make the PT assessment more comprehensive
objective
professional technicians who produce radiology images
radiographers
usually the first diagnostic study to be done following a clinical examination
musculoskeletal imaging
what determines radiodensity
how much radiation something absorbs from the x-ray beam
what color does soft tissue and fluids of the body show up as on an xray
gray
2 types of conventional radiography
- contrast-enhanced radiographs
- conventional tomography
radiolucent contrast media
negative contrast
(ex: air)
radiopaque contrast media
positive contrast
(barium sulfate or iodide solution)
study of joint and its soft tissue structures
arthrography
a contrast media study of the spinal cord, nerve root and dura mater
myelography
where the 2 puncture sites in myelography in the lumbar spine?
L2/3
L3/4
where is the puncture site in myelography in the cervical spine?
C1/2
when is conventional tomography used
with fractures of irregularly shaped bones
(ex: skull, tibial plateau, or the cervical vertebrae)
fluorodeoxyglucose
(FDG)
“fake” glucose used in PET scan to detect abnormal biological function of cells (like cancer)
imaging that diagnoses disease based on the physiological or functional changes of the tissue or organ
nuclear imaging
used in confirming the presence of disease and demonstrating the distribution of disease in the skeleton
radionuclide bone scan
noninvasive and nonionizing form of imaging that uses sound waves
ultrasonography
x-ray beam and detector system and moves in an arc mathematically reconstructing an image of the body
computed tomography (CT)
which imaging machine permits visualization of normal and abnormal biological function of cells
Positron emission tomography (PET) scan
bone is fractured but still in tact
incomplete fracture
what is a greenstick fracture and which population is most likely to get these
partial fracture due to bone bending and cracking
typically seen in children
bone bends but does not break
buckle/torus fracture
type of bone fracture where the bone is broken into 2+ pieces
comminuted fracture
fracture where ligament/tendon pulls a fragment of bone away from the main bone
avulsion fracture
closed reduction mechanism
soft tissue hinge is the linkage that allows the fracture to be reduced and stabilized
(no surgical incisions are made, fragments are physically guided back
into position and held by the soft-tissue hinge)
open reduction mechanism
surgically expose the fracture site and uses plates and screws to keep bone in place
3 types of fixation
external
internal
combination of external and internal
external fixation
plaster cast or splint immobilizes bone from the OUTSIDE
(looks like a big metal brace w rods)
ORIF
combines open reduction and internal fixation
bone grafts are considered a form of what type of fixation
INTERNAL fixation
when is the first and second follow up radiologic evaluation after a bone break
week 3: evaluated to see callus formation
1 year: to see remodeling and no evidence of fracture
Which of the following complications of fractures requires immediate medical attention?
a) Fat embolism
b) Deformity
c) Depression and anxiety
d) Edema and ecchymosis
a) fat embolism
What is true about magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)?
a) It can be used for measuring blood flow.
b) It is usually the first-order diagnostic imaging modality.
c) Its primary use is to identify and characterize soft tissue injuries and pathological conditions.
d) Ionizing radiation is the disadvantage of MRI.
c) Its primary use is to identify and characterize soft tissue injuries and pathological conditions.
Which of the following is generally the first diagnostic study to be done following the clinical examination on a patient with musculoskeletal disorder?
a) Magnetic Resonance Imaging
b) X-ray
c) Computed Tomography
d) Positron Emission Tomography
b) X-ray
A PT treats a 38 y/o male patient with fibula fracture 2 weeks ago. The patient complains of numbness and severe muscle pain in his lower leg since this morning. The PT identifies a significant swelling on patient’s lower leg and suspects there is a development of compartmental syndrome. Which of the following actions is the best?
a) Call 911.
b) Contact patient’s physician and seek immediate medical attention.
c) Continue the PT treatment and ask the patient to visit the nearest urgent care facility after the visit.
d) Ask the patient to go home and come back tomorrow.
b) Contact patient’s physician and seek immediate medical attention
imaging tool used to localize bone tumors
bone scintigraphy (bone scan)
which imaging tool best demonstrates the internal
architecture of muscles, ligaments, and tendons; to
show degenerative changes and longitudinal tears
ultrasound imaging
