204 Pathology Problem

Pathological Change

concerned with the structural and functional changes caused by a disease process

Disease Effect on X-ray Absorption

Certain diseases can change tissue thickness or tissue composition, affecting the degree of absorption

When additive conditions are present

image receptor exposure will decrease

When destructive conditions are present

image receptor exposure will increase

ADDITIVE CONDITIONS

These are diseases that cause the affected body to increase in thickness, effective atomic number, and/or tissue density

ADDITIVE CONDITIONS (Attenuation)

Increased attenuation of the x-ray beam is noted

DESTRUCTIVE CONDITIONS

These are diseases that cause the affected body to decrease in thickness, effective atomic number, and/or tissue density

DESTRUCTIVE CONDITIONS (Attenuation)

Decreased attenuation of the x-ray beam is noted

ABSCESS

Encapsulated infection, particularly in the lungs

EDEMA

Swelling

TUMOR

Abnormal new growth in tissue, particularly in lungs or bones, when calcification occurs

ATELECTASIS

Collapse of the lung, resulting in airlessness of all or part of the lung tissue

CARDIOMEGALY

Enlargement of the heart

BRONCHIECTASIS

Chronic dilation of the bronchi

CONGENITAL HEART FAILURE

Increased venous congestion in the lungs due to decreased cardiac output

EMPYEMA

Pus in the thoracic cavity

PNEUMOCONIOSIS

Inhalation of dust particles that can cause fibrotic changes

PLEURAL EFFUSION

Blood or serous fluid fills the pleural cavity

PNEUMONIA

Filling of fluid in the alveolar spaces due to inflammation of the lung tissues

TUBERCULOSIS

An infection which causes an inflammatory response in the lungs, generally begins in the upper lobe

AORTIC ANEURYSM

Large dilatation of the aorta

ASCITES

Fluid accumulation within the peritoneal cavity

CIRRHOSIS

Fibrotic changes in the liver, causing the liver to enlarge, resulting in ascites

CALCIFIED STONES

Calcium deposits throughout the abdomen

ACROMEGALY

Overgrowth of the hands, feet, face, and jaw as a result of hypersecretion of growth hormones

CHRONIC OSTEOMYELITIS

Chronic bone infection

HYDROCEPHALUS

Dilatation of the fluid-filled cerebral ventricles

METASTASIS

Spread of cancer, resulting in uncontrolled new bone growth

OSTEOCHONDROMA

Tumor arising in the bone

PAGET’S DISEASE

Increase in bone cell activity, resulting in increased bone thickness

SCLEROSIS

Increase in hardening as a result of a chronic inflammation in the bone

ATROPHY

Wasting away of body tissue with diminished cell proliferation

EMACIATION

Generalized wasting away of body tissue

ANOREXIA NERVOSA

Psychological eating disorder, resulting in extreme weight loss

EMPHYSEMA

Overdistention of the lung tissues

PNEUMOTHORAX

Free air in the pleural cavity

AEROPHAGIA

Abnormal swallowing of air

BOWEL OBSTRUCTION

Obstruction in the bowel, resulting in abnormal accumulation of fluid and air

ACTIVE OSTEOMYELITIS

Bone infection

CARCINOMA

Malignancies in the bone

ARTHRITIS

Inflammation of the joints

FIBROSARCOMA

Malignant tumor of the metaphysis of the bone

GOUT

Punched-out lesions in the bone

MULTIPLE MYELOMA

Malignant tumor, causing punched-out osteolytic lesions in the bone

OSTEOLYTIC METASTASIS

Bone destruction as a result of spread-out of cancer in bones

OSTEOMALACIA

Defect in bone mineralization

OSTEOPOROSIS

Defect in bone production due to failure of osteoblasts to lay down bone matrix

PNEUMONECTOMY

Removal of lun