WEEK 2 Imaging & Radiologic Evaluation of Fractures Flashcards
What is the first diagnostic study to be done following clinical exam?
msk imaging
What is the term for how much radiation is absorbed from x-ray beam?
radiodensity
The (lesser/greater) an object’s effective atomic #, volume density, &/or thickness, the greater its radiodensity.
greater
What is the term for amt of blackening on radiograph?
radiographic density
There is an ____________ relationship b/t radiodensity of object & radiographic density on radiograph. How does this appear?
- inverse
- greater radiodensity –> whiter image
Rank the following from highest to lowest radiographic density: air, soft tissue, metal, fat, bone.
- air
- fat
- soft tissue
- bone
- metal
Air, which is seen as the black background, can also be normally seen where?
- trachea
- lungs
- stomach
- digestive tract
What color does fat, present subq along muscle sheaths & around viscera, appear as?
gray-black
T/F: Soft tissues & fluids (blood, muscle, cartilage, tendons, etc.) share approx same radiodensity of water so it appears gray-black.
F (gray)
The (thinner/thicker) any object is, the greater amt of radiation it will absorbed.
thicker
When evaluating radiographs, how many projections are made at right angles to provide viewer w/ factual dimensions?
2
What is the term for path of x-ray beam as it travels from x-ray tube –> patient –> image receptor?
projection
What are the 3 more common projection terms?
- anteroposterior
- posteroanterior
- lateral
What type of radiographs are arthrography & myelography?
contrast-enhanced
What is the term for combining form meaning cut, section, or layer?
tomo- or tom-
Contrast media may be ___________ (neg contrast such as air) or ___________ (pos contrast such as barium sulfate or iodide solutions) or a combo of both.
- radiolucent
- radiopaque
What is arthrography?
study of joint & its soft tissues
Where is contrast material injected for arthrography to demonstrate abnormalities of synovium, ligaments, articular cartilage, & capsule of joint?
joint space
What is studied in a myelography?
- spinal cord
- nerve root
- dura mater
For myelography, contrast is injected into ___________ space & mixes w/ cerebrospinal fluid to produce radiopaque fluid.
subarachnoid
Which spinal levels are common for lumbar examination? How about for cervical?
- L2-L3 or L3-L4
- C1-C2
What type of fractures are looked at in conventional tomography?
fx of irregularly shaped bones
Computed tomography produces image representing axial cross-sectional slice of body measuring ____ - ____ cm thick.
0.1 - 1.5
Which specialty uses radiopharmaceuticals (radioactive tracers) for diagnosis (based on physio or functional changes of tissue/organ), therapy, & research?
nuclear imaging/medicine
Which part of the radiopharmaceutical is targeted to specific organ?
pharmaceutical
Which part of the radiopharmaceutical emits gamma rays?
radionuclide
Which is the most commonly used radionuclide?
99mTc
How are the tracers in radiopharm introduced into body?
- injection
- ingestion
- inhalation
For a positron emission tomography (PET), what is the predominant tracer used?
fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG)
Which type of scan is most valuable in confirming the presence of disease & demonstrating distribution of disease in skeleton?
radionuclide bone
Which type of imaging produces info via interaction of tissue w/ radiofreq waves in magnetic field instead of ionizing radiation?
magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)
What 3 planes does MRI produce images in for viewing?
- axial
- sagittal
- coronal planes
What is the term for generation of anatomic images using reflected sound waves (noninvasive & nonionizing)?
ultrasonography
Which type of reduction of fracture has no surgical incisions and is instead guided back into position via manipulation, traction, or both since there’s a soft tissue hinge?
closed
Which type of fixation is used to maintain closed reductions by plaster cast immobilization or splints?
external fixation
Open reductions utilize ____________ fixation which employs orthopedic appliances such as pins, wires, etc.
internal
What does ORIF mean?
open reduction internal fixation
Bone grafts can be thought of as a form of ___________ fixation.
internal
What is the term for linkage that allows fracture to be reduced to nearly normal alignment?
soft tissue hinge
