Pathology Screening (Quiz 1)

Question 1

Which cervical xray view do we see the most pathology if there is any?

Answer 1

lateral cervical

Question 2

What are the 3 main periosteal reactions?

Answer 2

1) single solid area (benign, will not lead to death)
2) laminated (layers of onion appearance, benign or malignant)
3) spiculated (sunburst, sunray or hair on end appearance, always malignant/aggressive)

Question 3

What is the most severe periosteal reaction?

Answer 3

codman’s reactive triangle (looks like upside down triangle), its an uplifting of the periosteum and is sometimes referred to as sunburst or sunray

note: this is rare

Question 4

What are the 6 steps for pathology screening of radiographs?

Answer 4

1. check for proper film placement, patient postitioning, and quality
2. check cortical outlines for thinning, thickening, or breaks –> periosteal reactions
3. look at all lines
4. look at disc spaces, articulations, and foramina
5. do a hard and soft tissue change of density sweep
6. take a mental note of curvatures

Question 5

When should pathology screening be done?

Answer 5

Before chiropractic analysis

Question 6

what is the 1st indication of pathology (usually)

Answer 6

Thinning, thickening, or breaks in the cortical outline

Question 7

what are you looking at when “looking at lines”

Answer 7

-checking anterior and posterior body lines
-inter-spinous line
-spinolaminar line
-pre-vertebral soft tissue

Question 8

what does swelling in the pre-vertebral soft tissue indicate

Answer 8

fracture(s)
*usually

Question 9

how many radiograph views do you need to take?

Answer 9

at least 2 opposing/90 degree views

Question 10

when will you see leisons (dark/light) during this screening?

Answer 10

Step 5: hard and soft tissue change of density sweep