Week 3- Head, Neck and Spine Radiography

Question 1

What are the indications for head radiography?

Answer 1

Deformity, swelling or discharging sinus
* Trauma
* Ear disease
* Exophthalmos or Horner’s syndrome
* Pain in the head area
* Problems with jaw mobility
* Nasal or nasopharyngeal disease
* Dental disease

Question 2

How might you evaluate a spinal radiograph?

Answer 2

• Vertebral alignment
• Contour and opacity of the end plates
• Intervertebral disc space
• Articular process joints

Question 3

What does Intervertebral disk disease look like on x-ray?

Answer 3

• Calcified disc material is seen in the intervertebral disc space
• Location- T12-T13
• this can be hard to see on radiography and MRI indicated

Question 4

What is myelography?

Answer 4

Contrast is injected into the subarachnoid space
But it requires plain films

Question 5

What is magnetic resonance imaging?

Answer 5

Excellent soft tissue contrast
* Limited by availability and cost
* Requires prolonged anaesthesia

Question 6

What is computed tomography?

Answer 6

Sensitive for subtle bone lysis, new bone
* Can identify disc mineralisation
* Can be combined with CT myelography