Radiology

Question 1

psoas muscle

Answer 1

radiographic marker of retroperitoneum. If they aren’t seen on radiograph, it may be that they are obscured by pathology.

Question 2

3-6-9 rule

Answer 2

Parameters of normal bowel size. Small bowel diameter < 3 cm Large bowel diameter < 6 cm Cecal diameter < 9cm

Question 3

Markers of bowel distension on xray

Answer 3

• small bowel contains valvulae conniventes - folds. When you see the lines across the lumen indicate small bowel dilation - large bowel dilations may be surgical emergency. Haustra are lines of large bowel - do not cross entire lumen.

Question 4

why get pt to sit upright or an xray (supine x ray)

Answer 4

Reveals air-fluid levels that are a result of sluggish movement in the bowel, allowing time for fluid to level out and air to rise. - more than 3 air-fluid levels is abnormal.

Question 5

pneumoperitoneum

Answer 5

air in intra-peritoneal space - suggests perforation of an intraperitoneal portion of GIT; What organs would be repsonsible?

Question 6

retroperitoneum

Answer 6

air in retro-peritoneal space - suggests perforation of an retroperitoneal portion of GIT What organs would be responsible?

Question 7

C-HAND

Answer 7

For rectal bleeding. Check pneumonic. Colitis Hemorrhoids Angiodysplasia Neoplasm Diverticulosis

Question 8

Good modalities for imaging bones

Answer 8

radiographs and CT because they’re high contrast

Question 9

Good modalities for imaging uterus

Answer 9

Ultrasound and MRI good definition of soft tissues

Question 10

Good modalities for imaging prostate

Answer 10

Ultrasound and MRI good definition of soft tissues

Question 11

Good modalities for imaging bladder

Answer 11

Ultrasound and CT ultrasound = good definition of soft tissue CT = high contrast ; useful when there is a concern for caliculi

Question 12

What modalities to use first for adults of reproductive age?

Answer 12

Ultrasound and MRI (have less ionizing radiation) Radio graphs and CT had more ionizing radiation.

Question 13

Orienting an ultrasound image

Answer 13

point of cone is the top (where the probe is on the skin) and base of cone is the bottom. in an abdominal US, you would see skin at top, followed by bladder, then uterus.

Question 14

Endovaginal exam

Answer 14

• ultrasound - allows us to get closer to uterus because we don’t have to go through bladder.

Question 15

Ultrasound in pregnancy: when they can be done

Answer 15

• Can see a pregnancy on ultrasound as early as 5 weeks - at 11 weeks dating ultrasound; may get a transvaginal exam for better detail - 20 weeks detailed anatomical scan

Question 16

Visualizing follicles in ovaries

Answer 16

Can see them in MRI. Ultrasound can see cysts.

Question 17

Visualizing prostate gland

Answer 17

transabdominal or transrectal ultrasound. Transrectal exam can take biopsy at the same time. Transrectal exam is therefore only done when pt needs a biopsy. The size of the prostate gland has nothing to do with cancer. Benign prostatic hyperplasia is normal, but may interfere with urination. Not well seen on CT.

Question 18

Ionizing radiation in which modalities

Answer 18

X Ray & CT (MRI and ultrasound do not)

Question 19

In CT how do we describe density?

Answer 19

We use the word attenuation to describe density differences in the scan. Higher positive score = more dense.

Question 20

Describe C2

Answer 20

Has the dens process that sticks up to articulate with the base of the skull. Remember to count two at the top of the cervical spine to account for this.

Question 21

Describe C1

Answer 21

It is a little ring that sits on C2 called the anterior arch.

Question 22

Special view for evaluating C1 and C2

Answer 22

Open mouth view

Question 23

CRT

Answer 23

Cardiothoracic ration used clinically to assess enlarged heart or excess fluid in pericardial space. mediastinum wides/thoracic cavity width

Question 24

Atypical cervical vertebrae

Answer 24

C1 and C2, don’t have typical components and behave differently in trauma situations

Question 25

Recognize dense of C2 nestled in C1

Question 26