Neuroradiology Flashcards
in what 5 circumstances should a CT scan be preformed ?
- Stroke
- Head trauma
- Headache
o Only headaches with red flags - Cancer
- Post surgical complications
what two main conditions from post surgical complications could be seen on a CT scan
haemorrhage
hydrocephalus
what two conditions should a CT scan not be done for ?
seizures
minor head injury
what circumstances should an MRI scan be done? (6)
- Epilepsy
- Spine for neural compression
- Demylelination such as MS
- Cancer
- Stroke
- Paediatrics
why are paediatrics given MRI scans more than CT scans?
there is no radiation with MRI scans
what are some contraindications for MRI scans?
metallic implants in the persons body - pacemakers - cochlear implants pregnancy tattoos claustrophobia
what happens to a persons tattoo in a MRI scanner if it contains metal?
it would heat up and the person would feel like their skin was burning
what is angiography used for?
is it used to diagnose vascular abnormalities and for vascular treatment
what 3 things can angiography diagnose?
aneurysm
arteriovenous malformation
cartidocavernous fistula
state one vascular problem which can be treated used angiography ?
unstoppable epistaxis
what two ways can aneurysms be treated?
coils
clipping
define perfusion
volume of blood passing through a defined volume of tissue per unit time
does stroke have decreased or increased perfusion ?
decreased
does tumour have decreased or increased perfusion ?
increased
in what three circumstances is increased metabolism seen?
tumour
infection
inflammation
how does PET work?
shows the ears where glucose is being used most and hence where abouts is most metabolically active
what does PET stand for?
positron electron tomography
what are 3 pros of X ray?
- fast
- universally used
- can be used with angiography
what is a con of X ray?
lacks soft tissue detail
what are 4 pros of US ?
- no radiation
- can be used with neonates
- movement tolerant
- less expensive equipment
what are two cons of US?
Image quality and interpretation based on operator skill
US can’t pass through bone
what does T1 MRI look like?
white matter is lighter than grey matter
what does T2 MRI look like ?
grey matter is lighter than grey matter
what are 3 pros of CT ?
- very fast
- metal and pacemaker tolerant
- good for acute haemorrhage
what are 2 cons of CT?
more expensive equipment
radiation
what are 2 cons of PET?
unclear anatomical structure
radio tracers are very expensive
what are 3 pros of MRI ?
- no radiation
- gives a lot of soft tissue detail
- gives physiological information
- blood flow
- diffusion restrictions
- metabolic concentrations
give 4 cons of MRI?
- slow
- not tolerant to metal
- expensive equipment
- not tolerant to movement
