Radiology of the Musculoskeletal System

only the area of interest

When taking a radiograph of the musculoskeletal system, it is important to center the image on what?

it should span from the joint proximal to the bone to the joint distal to the bone

-several images may be necessary to capture this entire distance

What should the image of a long bone include?

should be centered on the joint of interest and include a short length of the bones proximal and distal

What should the image of a joint include?

1.) craniocaudal or dorsopalmar/plantar

2.) lateral

Three views that are always taken:

lateral canine elbow

What is the view of this image?

craniocaudal canine elbow

What is the view of this image?

carpus/tarsus/digits

What type of bones might require oblique images?

overexposed

Is this image overexposed or underexposed?

lateral aspect

What aspect is the marker always placed?

limb; left or right

A marker must indicate what _______ you are looking at and if it is _______ or ______

navicular flexor skyline view

What special equine view is this?

1.) always put L where the marker is

2.) place M across from L

3.) D always on the top

4.) read clockwise starting with D

Trick to naming oblique images

DLPMO

What is the name of this oblique image?

hind limb

What does the "H" label on this image indicate?

front limb

What does the "F" label on this image indicate?

diaphysis

1

metaphysis

2

physis

3

epiphysis

4

apophysis

5

joint

6

epiphysis (or apophysis) from the metaphysis

The physis separates the ___________ from the __________

well-defined lucent line compared to surrounding bone

How will a physis appear radiologically?

physis

What are the arrows pointing to?

foramen for a nutrient blood vessel

*importnant to know where they are so they are not mistaken for a fracture

What is the arrow pointing to?

foramen for a nutrient blood vessel

What are the arrows pointing to?

sutures of skill, periodontal ligament of the teeth

Examples of fibrous joints

mandibular symphysis, pelvic symphysis

Examples of cartilaginous joints

stifle, shoulder, elbow, carpus, hips

Examples of synovial joints

synovial

What type of joint is pictured?

fibrous

What type of joint is pictured?

cartilaginous

What type of joint is pictured?

radiolucent

Compared to bone, articular cartilage of joints is ____________

not seen on radiographs but we know its there

radiolucent

1.) geographic

2.) moth-eaten

3.) permeative

Three patterns of destruction

have very sharply defined margins

geographic pattern of destruction

likely benign

Are geographic patterns of destruction are usually benign or aggressive?

small, irregular, poorly defined holes

moth-eaten pattern of destruction

likely aggressive

Are moth-eaten patterns of destruction usually benign or aggressive?

numerous, small, ill-defined holes (sponge like)

permeative pattern of destruction

very aggresive

Are permeative patterns of destruction usually benign or aggressive?

moth eaten

Which pattern of destruction is this?

geographic

Which pattern of destruction is this?

permeative

Which pattern of destruction is this?

gradual change from an abnormal finding to normal; more likely to be aggressive

Long zone of transition

short change from an abnormal finding to normal; more likely to be benign

Short zone of transition

1.) smooth, lamellar

2.) pallisading

Two types of new bone formation

smooth, lamellar

What type of new bone formation is this?

pallisading

What type of new bone formation is this?