Principles Of Radiology Flashcards
In MSK Imaging, X-rays are the initial imaging of choice for what event?
What are they also used for?
- Skeletal trauma (Acute bone/ joint injuries)
- Initial evaluation of chronic bone/ joint pathologies
Compare the 7 classification of fractures
Transverse: Fracture line is at right angle to long axis of bone
Linear: Fracture line is parallel to long axis of bone
Oblique: Fracture line at an oblique angle to long axis of bone, in one plane
Spiral: Fracture line at an oblique angle to long axis of bone, but spirals round in multiple planes
Compression: In cancellous bone when an axial load compresses the bone beyond its limit
Greenstick: Incomplete fractures, bone bends and cracks. Cortex on only one side of bone fractures
Epiphyseal Separation Fractures: Fracture line extends through an infused growth plate, separating epiphysis from metaphysis
Which 2 specific fracture types are only found in Children
Greenstick
Epiphyseal Separation Fractures
How does a radiograph of a long bone change as a child gets older
Epiphyseal growth plates seen as dark lines become thinner and eventually disappear becoming ‘closed’
How does growth hormone affect cells within an Epiphyseal Growth Plate
Promotes cellular proliferation
How does a deficiency in thyroid hormone affect cells in an Epiphyseal Growth Plate
Reduced cell division in proliferation zone leading to growth retardation
How do excess corticosteroids affect cells in an Epiphyseal Growth Plate
Reduced cell division in proliferation zone leading to growth retardation
In terms of MSK Radiology’s 3 phases, what are the 7 steps in Fracture repair
How long does each phase last?
What is said to have occurred once the fracture line is completely obscured
INFLAMMATORY PHASE: Hours to days
- Haematoma
- Tissue death
- Inflammation
REPARATIVE PHASE: Days to weeks
- Granulation
- Soft callus formation
- Hard Callus formation
BONE REMODELLING: Months to years
Radiographic union has occurred
How long does whole body CT scanning take
What is MRI used for in MSK imaging
What is MRI better at CT and X-ray for and bad for?
- A few minutes
- To define normal anatomy and to detect pathology
- Better at CT and X-ray for soft tissue imaging, poor at showing micro-architecture of bone
Compare T1, T2 and STIR (Fluid sensitive) MRI scans
Why does STIR have this characteristic for fat?
What are fluid-sensitive sequences particularly useful for?
T1: Fat is bright, fluid is dark
T2: Fat is bright, fluid is also bright
STIR: Fat is dark, Fluid is bright
In STIR, Signal from fat is suppressed
Detecting areas of oedema
What can be injected during an MRI, into where, and why?
Gadolinium into joint/ vein to add diagnosis of conditions
