Radiology Flashcards
What is the best type of CXR? Why?
PA
- Scapula’s out of the way
- Heart near detector so can interpret
What is the advantage to an AP CXR?
Can be done lying, so more unwell pt
How can you tell a tension pneumothorax from a N pneumothorax on CXR?
In a tension pneumothorax there is:
- Increased chest expansion
- Heart may be compressed
- Diaphragm may be depressed
When assessing image quality/adequacy on a chest x-ray what 4 things do you need to assess?
RIPE
Rotation
- check the ends of the claviculae are equidistant from the spine.
Inspiration
- 6 anterior ribs (the ones that are hard to see)
- Lung apices
- Both costophrenic angles
Projection
- Is it an AP or PA (PA better)
Exposure
- Left hemidiaphragm visible to the spine and vertebrae visible behind the heart
How do you say something is more white on a XR?
Increased density/opacity
How do you say something is darker on an XR?
Increased lucency
When going through the CXR how do you structure it? (Details of approach)
Pt details
Adequacy (RIPE)
Any striking abnormalities
ABCDE
Airway
- Trachea deviated?
- Is the mediastinum enlarged (lymphoma or thyroid)
- Carina visible?
- Hilum okay, lymph nodes?
Breathing
- Lung markings & pleura (if reduced pneumothorax)
- Look from apex to base (divided into 3rds on L and R)
- Liquid? Pleura/alveoli (Pulmonary oedema)
Cardiac
- Cardiothoracic ratio (<50% of thorax)
- Look for cardiac borders (if fuzzy then consolidation)
Diaphragm
- Costophrenic angle visible?
- Any air under the R hemidiaphragm?
Everything else
- Bone
- Soft tissue
- Look for any tubes or lines
What would cause a lung collapse on CXR?
- Tumour (adult)
- Foreign body (child)
- Mucus plugging in infection
What GFR do you need to have a Contrast scan?
> 40 (if not on dialysis - which would be okay)
What are the three phases of a contrast CT scan?
Pre-contrast
Arterial
Portal-venous
What colour is the grey matter on a CT?
White
What colour is the white matter on a CT?
Darker grey
is low attenuation black or white?
Low attenuation = black
Is high attenuation black or white?
High attenuation = white
If there is high attenuation areas in the sulci what is this?
SAH
In a bleed if the blood is dark then is it old or young?
Dark = old
In a a bleed if the blood is white is it old or young?
White = young
What vessels are bleeding in a subdural haemorrhage?
Bridging veins crossing the subdural space
If there is old and acute blood both in a CT head, what is likely going on?
An old subdural that is rebleeding.
What does a central high attenuation star show?
Extensive SAH