Neuro Radiology

Question 1

What shade is metal on x-rays?

Answer 1

Bright white

Question 2

What shade are bones on x-rays?

Answer 2

Light grey

Question 3

What shade are soft tissues on x-rays?

Answer 3

Dark grey
(ALL soft tissue looks the same on radiographs)

Question 4

What shade is air on x-rays?

Answer 4

Black

Question 5

All soft tissue looks the same on this type of imaging

Answer 5

Radiographs (x-rays)

Question 6

Can you see joint surfaces on x-rays?

Answer 6

Yes
(e.g. arthritis)

Question 7

Can you see inside joints on x-rays?

Answer 7

No
(can’t see tears)

Question 8

How many views on x-ray do you need when imaging joints?

Answer 8

Minimum 3

Question 9

Type of imaging that uses rotating x-rays
If you take enough images, you can reformat into a 2D plane (coronal, sagittal, or oblique)

Answer 9

CAT scan

Question 10

This basal cistern should look like a symmetric smile on head CT

Answer 10

Quadrigeminal plate cisterns

Question 11

This basal cistern should look like a star on head CT

Answer 11

Suprasellar cistern

Question 12

Quadrigeminal plate cisterns normally have this appearance on head CT

Answer 12

Symmetric smile

Question 13

Suprasellar cistern normally has this appearance on head CT

Answer 13

Looks like a star

Question 14

Can you see the brain in CT scans?

Answer 14

Yes
(strokes, bleeds, tumors)

Question 15

Can you see organs in CT scans?

Answer 15

Yes
(tumors, trauma, chronic or acute conditions)

Question 16

This imaging method is not good for renal patients because it usually requires an IV contrast

Answer 16

CT

Question 17

CT usually requires an IV contrast, so it is not good for this type of patient

Answer 17

Renal patients

Question 18

Can you see structures inside joints in CT imaging?

Answer 18

No
(can’t see menisci of knee, rotator cuff labrum, spine disks or spinal cord)

Question 19

What is the banana equivalent dose of radiation?

Answer 19

0.098 uSv

Question 20

Guidelines state that this is the maximum amount of radiation a person should receive in a single year

Answer 20

50 mSv

Question 21

What is the fatal acute dose of radiation?

Answer 21

4.5 Sv

Question 22

Within the CNS, contrast will only escape if this is disrupted

Answer 22

Blood brain barrier

Question 23

Naturally occurring form of iodine that can be used as an x-ray contrast dye

Answer 23

Iodine

Question 24

Iodine is taken up by this gland

Answer 24

Thyroid
(made into thyroid hormones)

Question 25

This compound which can be used as x-ray contrast dye, is taken up by the thyroid gland and made into thyroid hormones

Answer 25

Iodine

Question 26

Form of iodine that is highly radioactive, accumulates in and destroys thyroid tissue Useful for treating thyroid cancer

Answer 26

Iodine-131

Question 27

Iodine-131 is useful for treating this type of cancer

Answer 27

Thyroid

Question 28

Form of iodine that can cause hypothyroidism when there is fallout from a nuclear reactor

Answer 28

Iodine-131

Question 29

What is the half life of Technetium?

Answer 29

6 hours (94% gone after 24 hours)

Question 30

What type of particles does Iodine-131 emit?

Answer 30

Beta

Question 31

Technetium emits this type of particles

Answer 31

Gamma-rays (pass out of the patient without accumulation)

Question 32

Does Technetium accumulate in the patient?

Answer 32

No (because it emits gamma rays)

Question 33

First element to be artificially produced Not naturally occurring

Answer 33

Technetium

Question 34

In this type of scan, agents with very short half lives are used, and they must be made onsite with cyclotron

Answer 34

PET

Question 35

What is the half life of Fluorine-18? Used in PET scans

Answer 35

100 minutes

Question 36

What is the half life of Oxygen-15? Used in PET scans

Answer 36

2 minutes

Question 37

This type of scan is usually combined with CT to show abnormal function and anatomy

Answer 37

PET

Question 38

Type of imaging that doesn't rely on x-rays to see projected shadow of patient Sees tissues based upon subatomic characteristics

Answer 38

MRI

Question 39

T1 and T2 describe how specific tissues have specific this

Answer 39

Resonant echoes

Question 40

These are the 3D pixels that are made in MRI when each slice is divided

Answer 40

Voxels

Question 41

On MRI, if something appears white, is that a high or low signal?

Answer 41

High signal

Question 42

With a T2 MRI scan, to increase separation of fluid from fat, can apply this

Answer 42

"Fat-Suppression" (fat-saturation)

Question 43

T1 shows this component best

Answer 43

Fat

Question 44

Which type of MRI shows anatomy best?

Answer 44

T1

Question 45

With T1 MRI scan, is white or gray matter brighter?

Answer 45

White

Question 46

With T2 MRI scan, is white or gray matter brighter?

Answer 46

Gray

Question 47

Type of MRI scan where white matter in the brain is brighter than the gray matter

Answer 47

T1

Question 48

Type of MRI scan where gray matter in the brain is brighter than the white matter

Answer 48

T2

Question 49

T2 MRI scan shows this component best

Answer 49

Fluid

Question 50

Type of MRI scan that shows pathology best

Answer 50

T2

Question 51

Type of MRI sequence that shows dense stuff best, and is good for meniscus and tendon tears Used mostly for MRI of joint pain

Answer 51

Proton density

Question 52

MRI sequence that shows fat best

Answer 52

T1

Question 53

MRI sequence that shows fluid best

Answer 53

T2

Question 54

Does MRI have a broad or narrow field of view?

Answer 54

Limited

Question 55

In an MRI, image resolution is related to this

Answer 55

Voxel size

Question 56

Are pacemakers safe for MRI?

Answer 56

No (might drain the battery, fire erratically, scramble electronics, reprogram)

Question 57

Are cochlear implants safe in MRI?

Answer 57

No

Question 58

Is metal safe in MRI scans?

Answer 58

Metal that is fixed is safe (e.g. fillings in teeth, orthopedic hardware after 3 months); although there are quality concerns Metal that can move IS a concern (e.g. former metal workers, older style aneurysm clips)