Principles Of Basic Imaging Of The Thorax Flashcards
What is an xray
Electromagnetic beams pass through the thorax and expose a photographic film/plate. The image produced is based on the anatomy of the patient blocking the transmission by varying degrees resulting in an image caused by the degree of exposure of the photographic plate
The plate turns black as the x ray strikes it
What is Radiodensity and how does it look on a CXR?
Less dense tissue such as air is radiolucent-black
More dense structures are referred to as radio plaque (white)
4 Basic radiodensities are?
GAS- Black eg air filled lungs
FAT= Grey eg lipid tissue around muscle
Soft tissue=grey eg heart, blood vessels and muscle
Bone or metal= white eg ribs and sternum
What types of x ray are there?
Posteroanterior (PA)
Anteroposterior (AP)
Lateral- Allows visualisation of lung bases and lung tissue behind heart
What are the Important obscured or invisible structures?
Sternum Oesophagus Spine Pleura Fissures Aorta
What are the preliminary checks to take before doing an X-ray?
Name and date Projection ap or pa Exposure Position(supine,erect,rotated) Inspiration
What system should you follow for an X-ray?
A-Alignment B-Bones C-Cardiac D-Diaphragms E-Expansion F-lung Fields G-Gadgets (drips, drains and tubes)
What are some common abnormalities that can occur?
Consolidation Atelectasis/collapse Pleural Effusion Pneumothorax Pulmonary oedema Fracture
What is a CAT scan
Computed enhancement of a large series of two dimensional x-ray images
What is an MRI Scan?
MRI uses the magnetic properties of the hydrogen atom to produce clear images of the tissues
What is Ultrasound?
A chest ultrasound is a non invasive diagnostic procedure that produces images used to assess the organs and structures within the chest, such as the lungs, mediastinum and pleural space
WHAT IS A CTPA
CTPA is a diagnostic test that uses CT to obtain an image of the pulmonary arteries. It uses a specialist dye injected into the body’s blood vessels and the dye shows up on the scan
The scan shows any narrowing or obstruction in the blood vessels or chest.
