spine-radiology lecture Flashcards
what do xray show
only bone outline
what do ct shows
bone outlines in more detail and some soft tissue structures
what are mri good for showing
SOFT TISSUE
what can show small and large tumours
MRI
advantage of ct
can show anatomy in multiple planes
what do MRI show
Bone outlines in less detail but shows marrow, discs, ligaments and spinal cord and nerves
what are bones shown by
x rays
ct and Sri
what are soft tissue shown on
limited on ct but good on mri
order of spine
cervical lordosis
thoracic kyphosis
lumbar lordosis
seen on ct and mri
which vertebra have consistent anatomy
3rd to 7th cervical, all 12 thoracic and 5 lumbar
when is ct used in spinal trauma
when xray normal bus suscpicion of high energy injury , associated head injury, abnormal neurological examination
what are the ligaments in the spine responsible for
spinal stability
can ligaments be seen on xray and ct
no as they are soft tissue structures
what implies ligament damage
abnormal vertebral alignment on xray/ ct
how are ligaments seen
on mri
damaged= light
normal = dark
what cushion the vertebra from stress
intervertebral discs
what do healthy discs contain
water and are pliable
diseased discs
dehydrate due to age and disease
herniated disc material may herniate through disc lining into spinal canal, press on spinal nerve.. sciatica
can you see discs on xrays
no as they are soft tissue
what scan may show discs
mri
spinal cord on scans
invisible on xrays
poor on ct
mri yes
