types of neurological scans Flashcards
CT stands for
Computed Tomography Scan
what does a ct use to pass through tissues
narrow-beam xrays to pass through tissues at diffrent angle
what does a ct scan focus on
structures
ct scans detect
brain diseases
using a ct scan, can small structures be detected
no
MRI stands for
Magnetic resonance imaging
MRI has a magnetic feild of ?
60, 000
during an MRI, patients are injected with what
a contrast dye
MRI helps to do what
diagnose brain diseases such as MS, strokes, infection of brain/spine/cns and tendonitits
visulaizing injuries; such as torn ligaments, especially in areas diffuclt to see like the wrist, ankle or knee
evaluation; of masses in soft tissue, cysts, bone tumors or disc problems
advantages of MRI
- does not use ionizing radiation
- low side effects of contrast dye
- non invasive
- great contrast resolution
disdavantages of mri
- noisey
- size and weight
- claustrophobia
- expensive
- keeping still
- medical contraindications such as pacemakers, metal objects in body
- time consuming
- not easily availiable
- no on-call service
- it has limitations
a type of MRI that is used to image blood vessels; is called ?
MRA-angiography
MRA can help image blood vessels to detect
- stenosis ( narrowing of blood vessels)
- anuerysms (vessel wall dilations)
what scan do we use for spine imagery
MRI
- its the first line of suspected spinal infection, cord compression, cauda equina, sciatica
what type of MRI is used to look at functions using oxygen uptake and is based on haemoglobin ( the blood protein that binds oxygen )
fMRI - functional MRI
what does fMRI measure
fMRI measures the oxygen used by the brain;
the most active brain areas use the most oxygen
what is EEG used to measure for
(electroencephalograph)
used to measure brain activity
how is brain activity measured via EEG
electrodes are placed on head and measure the average amount of activity at any point in time for the cells
main use of EEG
research into brain function, diagnosis of epilepsy, and sleep disorders
are there any risk of eeg
no risks of eeg unlike ct
risk of ct scan
you could have an allergic reaction to the contrast dye used and you’ll be exposed to X-ray radiation
what does MEG measure -
magnetoencephalograph
it measures magnetic fields that brain activity produces
PET stands for
positron emission tomography - nuclear medical imaging technique
what do you inject into the body when conducting a PET scan and why do you do so
half-life radioactive isotopes ( or, TRACERS) to detect gamma rays
what can PET scans detect and help do
glucose matabolism in the brain, brain cancer, dementia, seizures, and help map brain function
