radiology Flashcards
what are x rays often used for
skeletal trauma - fracture and dislocations and evaluation of chronic bone/joint pathologies e.g chronic arthritis
explain all the types of fracture
transverse- straight across
linear- straight down
oblique nondisplaced- diagonally but not broken apart
oblique displaced- diagonally completely broken apart
spiral - diagonal fracture line but broken by twisting, can be seen in 3d image difference to oblique
communited- fracture where broken into more than 2 pieces, high trauma
compression fracture- in cancellous bone, crushed bone, difficult to see
explain the 2 types of fracture that only occur in children
greenstick - an incomplete fracture where bone bends and fractures, happens because bones are more flexible
epiphyseal spereation fracture- when fracture line goes through unfused fracture plate and therefore separates epiphyses from middles bone. common in overweight developing boys
2 overarching types of bone break
incomplete or complete break in the continuity of the bone
radiographic changes seen in bones in children
growth plates can be seen on xray because they are less calcified and therefore absorb less X-rays, as child grows these become thinner. also degree of ossification of the carpal bones which develop from birth- 12 can be seen and used to determine the bone age of the child. These bones found in the hand
what does it mean if there is a significant difference between the Childs age and their bone age
early or delayed puberty, growth hormone deficiency, hypo or hyperthyroidism or malnutrition
how fracture healing can be seen on an xray
haematoma, tissue death and inflammation are part of the inflammatory stage were no callus is seen on the xray (days/hours.
angieogensis, soft callus formation and consolation of callus is part of reparative stage where mineralisation begins and callus forms, these are seen on an xray. (days-weeks)
lamellar bone formation and remodelling is part of the remodelling phase where woven bone development is seen on a radiograph. (months-years)
how long does a bone take to heal and how is this assessed
3-12 weeks. but bone remodelling can take years. this is assessed by regular X-rays.
what is nuclear medicine
using radio-labelled drugs to mark biologic activity. used to observe metastatic disease.
how to carry out images using radiation safely (CT, Xray and nuclear medicine)
should do it less on children because worse DNA damage to rapidly dividing cells and only used rarely with low does. get worker to where lead bids and not stay in sam job all their life
how to carry out MRI safely
remove all metal. make sure they are not claustrophobic or for some reason cannot lie down for long periods of time
