Imaging of the Soft Tissues Week 1

What is the initial mode of diagnostic imaging?

X-ray

What is the agent of choice for enhancing the GI tract?

Barium

T or F: Ultrasound is commonly employed for true chest findings

False

What gland is ultrasound commonly used in assessment of?

Thyroid

Which diagnostic modality is the most operator dependent?

Ultrasound

What type of tissue is ultrasound best for?

Superificial soft tissue

What are the pros of ultrasound?

Real-time

Inexpensive

No ionizing radiation

What are the cons of ultrasound?

Field of view limitations

Operator dependent

Tissue limitations

What are the planes of imaging?

Sagittal-standard

Axial-standard

Coronal

Oblique

How long does MRI take to perform?

Takes 45 minutes to 1 hour

What type of energy is used to take MRI?

Strong magnetic fields

What is MRI used to do?

Evaluate Soft tissues

Diagnose tendon/ligament injury

Find spinal cord issues

Monitor brain and tumors

How long does it take to perform a CT scan?

10 minutes

What type of energy is used to take a CT scan?

Low dose radiation

What are CT scans used to do?

Diagnose injuries from trauma

Stage cancer/tumors

Find injuries from trauma

Diagnose infections

Assess emergency situations

What is the best cross-sectional imaging modality to evaluate chest and abdomen based on a quick scan time and lack of motion artifact?

CT

What type of contrast can be used for CT?

GI and/or IV

T or F: Radiography has higher radiation dose than computed tomography?

False

What are the pros of CT?

Exceptional bone detail, great for regions with inherent motion (chest and abdomen)

What are the cons of CT?

Ionizing radiation

Inferior soft tissue contrast vs MRI

Less sensitive to motion artifacts

T or F: MRI is often used for diagnostic imaging of the abdomen and thorax

False (uncommon)

T or F: the Pleura are normally visualized on x-ray

False (is only visible with pathology)

What part of the body is MRI often used for?

Brain

Pelvis

Musculoskeletal system

What are the 3 forms of contrast administration?

Vascular (IV)

GI (oral/enema)

Anthrogram (intra-articular)

What IV contrast agent is used in MRI?

Gadolinium

What IV contrast agent is used in CT?

CT - gadolinium or iodide based contrast

What contrast agent is used in GI imaging??

Barium-sulfate (oral/enema)

What is the term for contrast injected into joint capsule?

Arthrogram

What enters the lungs through the hilum?

The main bronchus and pulmonary arteries

What are the terms for describing the zones of the lung on the frontal view?

Upper zone

Middle Zone

Lower zone

Why is the term "lobe" not used to describe the lung fields on AP x-ray?

The lobes may be superimposed over each other

T or F: Full-inspiratory effort is required for proper patient positioning of chest radiographs

True

What technique is used to take chest radiographs?

High kVp, low mAs (use technique chart)

What is the optimal grid ratio for chest radiographs?

16:1 grid ratio

How close should the gastric air bubble be to the left hemidiaphragm?

within 2 cm

What does the oblique fissure divide?

Lower love from upper and middle lobe

What does the horizontal fissure divide?

Upper lobe from middle lobe

Which posterior costophrenic angle is lower?

Right posterior costophrenic angle

What are the standard projections of the chest?

PA

Lateral

What are the standard projections of the ribs?

AP/PA

Lateral

What are the accessory projections of the chest?

Apical lordotic

Obliques

What is the apical lordoditic view used to evaluate?

lung apices

What is the checklist for evaluating the chest?

Trachea

Mediastinum

Hilum

Heart

Diaphragm