Neuroradiology

Question 1

in what 5 circumstances should a CT scan be preformed ?

Answer 1

• Stroke
• Head trauma
• Headache
  o Only headaches with red flags
• Cancer
• Post surgical complications

Question 2

what two main conditions from post surgical complications could be seen on a CT scan

Answer 2

haemorrhage

hydrocephalus

Question 3

what two conditions should a CT scan not be done for ?

Answer 3

seizures

minor head injury

Question 4

what circumstances should an MRI scan be done? (6)

Answer 4

• Epilepsy
• Spine for neural compression
• Demylelination such as MS
• Cancer
• Stroke
• Paediatrics

Question 5

why are paediatrics given MRI scans more than CT scans?

Answer 5

there is no radiation with MRI scans

Question 6

what are some contraindications for MRI scans?

Answer 6

metallic implants in the persons body 
- pacemakers 
- cochlear implants 
pregnancy 
tattoos 
claustrophobia

Question 7

what happens to a persons tattoo in a MRI scanner if it contains metal?

Answer 7

it would heat up and the person would feel like their skin was burning

Question 8

what is angiography used for?

Answer 8

is it used to diagnose vascular abnormalities and for vascular treatment

Question 9

what 3 things can angiography diagnose?

Answer 9

aneurysm
arteriovenous malformation
cartidocavernous fistula

Question 10

state one vascular problem which can be treated used angiography ?

Answer 10

unstoppable epistaxis

Question 11

what two ways can aneurysms be treated?

Answer 11

coils

clipping

Question 12

define perfusion

Answer 12

volume of blood passing through a defined volume of tissue per unit time

Question 13

does stroke have decreased or increased perfusion ?

Answer 13

decreased

Question 14

does tumour have decreased or increased perfusion ?

Answer 14

increased

Question 15

in what three circumstances is increased metabolism seen?

Answer 15

tumour
infection
inflammation

Question 16

how does PET work?

Answer 16

shows the ears where glucose is being used most and hence where abouts is most metabolically active

Question 17

what does PET stand for?

Answer 17

positron electron tomography

Question 18

what are 3 pros of X ray?

Answer 18

• fast
• universally used
• can be used with angiography

Question 19

what is a con of X ray?

Answer 19

lacks soft tissue detail

Question 20

what are 4 pros of US ?

Answer 20

• no radiation
• can be used with neonates
• movement tolerant
• less expensive equipment

Question 21

what are two cons of US?

Answer 21

Image quality and interpretation based on operator skill

US can’t pass through bone

Question 22

what does T1 MRI look like?

Answer 22

white matter is lighter than grey matter

Question 23

what does T2 MRI look like ?

Answer 23

grey matter is lighter than grey matter

Question 24

what are 3 pros of CT ?

Answer 24

• very fast
• metal and pacemaker tolerant
• good for acute haemorrhage

Question 25

what are 2 cons of CT?

Answer 25

more expensive equipment

radiation

Question 26

what are 2 cons of PET?

Answer 26

unclear anatomical structure

radio tracers are very expensive

Question 27

what are 3 pros of MRI ?

Answer 27

• no radiation
• gives a lot of soft tissue detail
• gives physiological information
• • blood flow
• • diffusion restrictions
• • metabolic concentrations

Question 28

give 4 cons of MRI?

Answer 28

• slow
• not tolerant to metal
• expensive equipment
• not tolerant to movement