Neuroradiology Flashcards
List some indications for a head scan
suspected tumour head trauma acute stroke headaches - suggesting tumour or subarachnoid haemorrhage cancer metastases post surgical eg hydrocephalus
Reasons to not perform a head scan
minor head trauma exclusion criteria
seizure - usually MRI
List some indications for MRI scan
paediatric neurology demyelination disc prolapse CNS tumours TIA headache epilepsy
What can an MRI tell you about cancer?
aggressiveness, location, number
Absolute contraindications for MRI scan
pacemaker
cochlear implant
reprogrammable shunt (relative)
moveable metallic implants eg aneurysm clip, heart valves
Relative contraindications for an MRI scan
tattoos
pregnant
claustrophobic
What can angiography be used for in terms of neurological pathology?
aneurysm
arteriovenous malformation
carotidocavernous fistula
unstoppable epistaxis
Define perfusion
the volume of blood passing through a defined volume of tissue per unit time
Units of perfusion
ml/100g of tissue/minute
What imaging techniques can show perfusion?
CT and MRI
List the 2 types of abnormal perfusion and conditions
stroke - decreased
tumour - increased
3 scenarios in which glucose metabolism is increased
tumour
inflammation
infection
What does a PET scan show?
glucose usage and metabolism
Why is PET scan used after tumour resection?
to differentiate between granulation tissue and remaining tumour
How would you identify an x-ray?
bones are white and superimposed
anatomy obvious
soft tissue grey
air black
How would you identify a CT scan?
white ring of skull slightly grainy black CSF in sulci and ventricles grey brain with subtle white/grey differentiation air is black
How would you identify an MRI image?
black skull with white ring of fat around
white CSF in T2
better grey/white differentiation
How would you identify a PET image?
bright and varied colour fuzzy image
How would you identify an ultrasound image?
wedge shaped
objects blocking US waves eg bone and stones make a downward shadow
Advantages and disadvantages of plain radiography?
available and fast
lacks soft tissue detail
Advantages and disadvantages of ultrasound
fast, neonatal unit, moveable, no radiation, cheap
requires a wide open fontanelle, operator dependent
Advantages and disadvantages of CT
rapid, metal tolerant, acute haemorrhage
radiation, expensive
Advantages and disadvantages of radionuclide radiology
glucose metabolism and perfusion
unclear anatomy, medium cost, expensive radiotracers
Advantages and disadvantages of MRI
no radiation, soft tissue, physiological info
time taken, metal and implants contraindicated
