Ortho Introduction to Radiology Flashcards
X-Ray Properties
high energy electromagnetic waves that pass through a body part onto a film
Most of the radiation is passed through the body, but some is absorbed producing the image
3 factors of radio-opacity
- atomic number: higher is more radiopaque
- physical density: air (black), fluid and soft tissue (grey), bone (white)
- Thickness: thicker structures result in more attenuation, more radiopaque
Overlapping structures will be additive and appear more radiopaque than if they were separate
General Opacities
- Mineral opacity
- Soft tissue/fluid opacity
- Fat opacity
- Gas Opacity
- Metal Opacity
X-Ray Components
Electrode pair, glass vacuum tube in a lead case
Cathode generates electrons that strike the tungsten anode
Electron collides with tungsten atom knocks an e- out of a lower orbit
When a higher orbital electron falls to fill the gap, energy is released as a photon (x-ray)
95% of energy is deposited as heat, only 5% generates x-rays
Digital radiography
Photostimulable plate absorbs x-rays and emits light (flourescence) that is detected by an image reader
Flat Panel Detectors
most common
Amorphous silicon: x-ray converted to light, which is converted digital output signal (indirect image)
Amorphous selenium: x-ray photons converted directly into charge on a sensor (direct image)
High Density Line Scan Solid State Detectors
Phosphor detectors records X-ray energy during exposure
Radiation Protection
- Reduce time of exposure
- Increased distance from radiation source
- Radiation shielding (lead shields)
Scanograms
Measure leg lengths precisely
Used in children if correction is necessary to equalize growth of legs
Comparison X-Rays
When comparing left to right
Done to verify a fracture in a pediatric patient (compare epiphysis)
Stress X-Rays
Usually done to assess ligamentous stability
Arthrogram
Contrast is injected into a joint capsule and a radiograph is taken
If the contrast extraverts then the capsule has a tear in it
Myelogram
Image the subdural space
Useful in diagnosing spinal stenosis
How many views are needed when doing conventional x-ray exams?
Radiographs provide a 2D image
3D must be reconstructed mentally (from orthogonal projections, need at least 2 views)
Orthogonal projections
two radiographic projections made at right angles
X-Ray Naming
Direction primary beam enters and leaves the tissues being examined (AP)
Position of the patient (prone, supine, seated, standing) during exposure, left/right markers identified