Radiologic Eval and Dx Flashcards

1
Q

List the ABCs of Radiologic Analysis

A
  1. Alignment
  2. Bone Density
  3. Cartilage spaces
  4. Soft tissues
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2
Q

What things should be considered with “Alignment”?

A
  1. General Skeletal Architecture
  2. General Contour of Bone
  3. Alignment of bone to adjacent bone
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3
Q

describe normal and abnormalities to consider with general skeletal architecture

A
  1. Normal → size, and number
  2. Abnormalities
    1. superumerary bones
    2. congenital abnormalities
    3. absence of bone
    4. developmental deformity
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4
Q

describe normal and abnormalities to consider with general contours of bones

A
  1. normal → smooth and continuous
  2. abnormalities
    1. cortical frx
    2. avulsion frx
    3. impaction frx
    4. spurring
    5. prior surgery
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5
Q

describe normal and abnormal alignmenst of bone to adjacent bone

A
  1. normal → articulation, spatial relationships
  2. abnormal
    1. fracture
    2. dislocation
    3. subluxation
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6
Q

what to consider relating to bone density and what is normal for each factor?

A
  1. general bone density → sufficient contrast
  2. textural abnormalities
    1. normal → expected trabecular architecture
  3. local density changes
    1. normal → sclerosis in areas of stress
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7
Q

describe what would be considered abnormal relating to bone densities

A
  1. general bone density
    1. loss of bone density
    2. thinning/absence cortical margin
  2. textural abnormalities
    1. fluffy, thin, delicate, coarsened, smudged
  3. local density changes
    1. osteophytes, excessive sclerosis, reactive sclerosis
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8
Q

what should be considered relating to cartilage spaces? Describe normal vs abnormal findings for each

A
  1. joint space width
    1. normal → well-preserved
    2. abnormal → decreased space
  2. subchondral bone
    1. normal → smooth surface
    2. abnormal → increased sclerosis or erosion
  3. epiphyseal plate
    1. normal vs abnormal → look at position, size, borders of physes
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9
Q

ABCs of Radiographic Analysis: Soft Tissues and normal findings

A
  1. Muscles
    1. normal size
  2. Fat pads and fat lines
    1. radiolucent crescent parallel to bone
    2. radiolucent lines parallel to length of muscle
  3. Joint capsules
    1. indistinct
  4. Periosteum
    1. indistinct or solid reaction w/fracture healing
  5. Miscellaneous Soft Tissue Findings
    1. water-density shades of gray
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10
Q

ABCs of Radiographic Analysis: Soft Tissues and abnormal findings

A
  1. Muscles
    1. wasting, swelling
  2. Fat pads and fat lines
    1. blurring and displacement
  3. Joint capsules
    1. distension
  4. periosteum
    1. observe reactions
  5. Miscellaneous soft tissue findings
    1. foreign bodies, gas bubbles, radiolucent, calcifications radiopaque
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11
Q

list errors related to the ABCs of Radiographic Analysis

A
  1. Errors of observation → related to search patterns (incomplete/faulty)
  2. Errors of interpretation → related to poor ability to link clinical presentation to radiologic findings
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12
Q

how can errors be reduced?

A

improved interdisciplinary communication, especially with radiologist

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13
Q

list and describe the categories of skeletal pathology

A
  1. Monostotic/Monoarticular → affects only 1 bone/joint
  2. Polystotic/Polyarticular → affects multiple bones/joints
  3. Diffuse → affects nearly all bones or joints
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14
Q

List the characteristic findings of osteoporosis

A
  1. 30% reduction in bone mass for detection on radiograph
  2. cortical thinning
  3. low bone mass
  4. trabecular changes
  5. fractures
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15
Q

what is DXA?

A

Dual Energy X-ray Absorptiometry

  1. best precision with lowest radiation dose
  2. T/L Spine and non-dominant hip analyzed by computer
  3. T-score: BMD and young matched healthy female compared
  4. Z-score: BMD and age matched healthy female compared
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16
Q

list radiologic characteristics of osteomyelitis

A
  1. soft tissue swelling 24-48 hours after onset
  2. radiolucent lytic lesions in 7-10 days
  3. sequestra and involurca in 6-8 weeks
  4. draining sinus tracts
17
Q

list the radiologic characteristics of joint infections/septic arthritis

A
  1. soft tissue swelling
  2. joint effusion
  3. periarticular rarefaction
  4. joint space narrowing
  5. subchrondral bone erosion
18
Q

list characteristic findings of soft tissue/cellulitis

A
  1. soft tissue swelling
  2. radiolucent streaks or bubbles representing gas gangrene