Radiographic Contrast Examination Lecture Review

A set of 100 vocabulary flashcards covering radiographic contrast media, GI procedures, biliary imaging, and urinary system studies.

Contrast Media

Substances or materials that have a higher atomic number than the surrounding tissue used for opacification and visualization.

Positive Contrast Media

Radiopaque agents like $BaSO_4$ with high atomic numbers that increase absorption and decrease density.

Negative Contrast Media

Radiolucent agents like air or nitrogen with low atomic numbers that decrease absorption and increase density.

Histamine Imbalance

A reaction occurring when a patient cannot tolerate contrast media.

Hemodynamic Reaction

A reaction that occurs upon injection, potentially causing systemic shock or myocardial infarction.

Psychosomatic Reaction

A mild transient effect associated with patient anxiety, fatigue, or dehydration.

Pyrogenic Reaction

A reaction to contrast media that causes a rise in body temperature.

Extravasation

A technique-related reaction involving burning pain, hematoma, and vascular constriction.

Systemic Shock

A hemodynamic effect characterized by a sudden drop in blood pressure.

Mild Reaction

A non-allergenic reaction that does not require medical assistance, such as nausea or lightheadedness.

Moderate Reaction

A true allergic reaction resulting in urticaria, laryngeal swelling, or bronchospasm.

Severe (Vasovagal) Reaction

A reaction where heart rate drops and blood pressure may fall below $80$ mmHg systolic.

Viscosity

The quality of a sticky fluid; warming contrast can help reduce this thickness.

Miscibility

The property of a contrast medium to easily mix with blood.

Osmolality

A measure of the total number of particles in a solution.

Barium Sulfate ($BaSO_4$)

A radiopaque, water-insoluble, non-toxic salt used for radiographic GI examinations.

Colloidal Substance

A mixture of barium and water where barium never fully dissolves.

Thin Barium

A mixture containing $1$ part barium to $1$ part water, used for the entire GI tract.

Thick Barium

A mixture containing $3$ to $4$ parts barium to $1$ part water, used for the esophagus.

Sialography

The radiographic examination of salivary gland ducts and calculi using water-soluble iodinated contrast.

Stensen's Duct

The parotid duct, which is the largest salivary duct, located anterior to the external ear.

Wharton's Duct

The submandibular or submaxilla duct situated beneath the mucous membrane.

Bartholin's Duct

The sublingual duct associated with a group of smaller glands in the floor of the mouth.

Iglauer Method

A sialography method used to demonstrate salivary calculi by depressing the floor of the mouth.

Palatography

Radiographic examination of the soft palate used for investigating tumors or swallowing abnormalities.

Bloch and Quantrill (1968)

A palatography method used for nasopharyngeal tumors where the patient is seated in a lateral position.

Morgan (1970)

A method of evaluating abnormalities of chewing and swallowing in children.

Nasopharyngography

Examination of the nasopharynx following the instillation of contrast media to assess hypertrophy or tumors.

Pharyngography

The identification of abnormalities during the active progress of deglutition using thick barium.

Gunson Method

A method for pharyngeal studies that synchronizes exposure with the height of swallowing acts.

Templeton and Kredel

A method used specifically to examine the cricopharyngeal sphincter.

Phonation

A maneuver used to show vocal cords and perform cleft palate studies.

Valsalva Maneuver

Forcible exhalation against a closed airway to distend the subglottic larynx and trachea with air.

Modified Valsalva Maneuver

A maneuver involving pinching nostrils to distend the supraglottic larynx and laryngeal pharynx with air.

Laryngo-pharyngography

Radiographic examination of the larynx to demonstrate tumors, edema, or muscular weakness.

Holtz and Ogura

Researchers who introduced normal expiratory phonation to test adduction of the vocal cords.

Quiet Inspiration

A test used during laryngeal studies to check for abduction of the vocal cords.

Benassi Method

A PA axial projection for the liver with two exposures at specific cephalad and caudad angles.

Barium Swallow

Radiographic study of the esophagus or gullet using $50$ to $100$ ml of barium.

Achalasia

A condition characterized by abnormal constriction of the gastroesophageal junction.

Esophageal Varices

Dilation of esophageal veins, best demonstrated in a recumbent AP or PA projection.

Mueller Maneuver

An esophageal reflux test where the patient exhales and then tries to inhale against a closed glottis.

Water Test

An esophageal reflux method where a patient swallows a mouthful of water through a straw.

Toe Touch Maneuver

A maneuver used to study possible regurgitation into the esophagus from the stomach.

Hypersthenic

A massive body habitus occurring in $5$% of the population, characterized by a high transverse stomach.

Sthenic

The average body habitus, accounting for $50$% of the population.

Hyposthenic

A slender body habitus occurring in $35$% of the population.

Asthenic

A very slender body habitus occurring in $10$% of the population.

Barium Meal

A radiographic study of the distal esophagus, stomach, and duodenum, also known as UGIS.

Bezoar

A mass of undigested material trapped in the stomach; includes hair (trichobezoar) or vegetable fiber (phytobezoar).

Gastritis

Inflammation of the stomach lining, which may be acute or chronic due to diet or stress.

Schatzki's Ring

A ringlike constriction at the distal esophagus, often a sign of a sliding hiatal hernia.

Peristalsis

Contraction waves in the digestive tube, normally occurring $3$ to $4$ times per minute.

Gugliantini Method

A PA axial projection for infants with a CR of $20$ to 25^\rect cephalad.

Gordon Method

A PA axial projection for adults with a CR of $35$ to 45^\rect cephalad.

Double Contrast Study

An examination using both barium and gas-producing crystals to demonstrate mucosal patterns.

Hampton's Method

An LPO position used to demonstrate the leaf-like pattern of the pylorus and duodenal bulb.

Poppel's Method

A right lateral recumbent projection used to evaluate the pancreatic mass and retrogastric space.

Wolf Method

A method applying intra-abdominal pressure to demonstrate sliding gastroesophageal herniations.

Small Bowel Series (SBS)

Radiographic examination extending from the ligament of Treitz to the ileocecal valve.

Ligament of Treitz

The duodenojejunal junction that marks the beginning of the small intestine for radiographic study.

Enteroclysis

A method of examining the small bowel where contrast is introduced via a Bilbao or Selink tube.

Miller-Abbott Tube

A tube passed into the stomach to relieve post-operative distention or deflate an obstructed small bowel.

Hypotonic Duodenography

A specialized study using drug-induced duodenal paralysis to detect pancreatic disease.

Barium Enema

The study of the form and function of the large intestine using positive and/or negative contrast.

Intussusception

The telescoping of one part of the intestine into another, common in infants and appearing 'mushroom shaped'.

Volvulus

The twisting of a portion of the intestine upon itself, more common in males aged $20$ to $50$.

Colitis

Inflammation of the large intestine, appearing as a 'saw-tooth' or 'jagged' pattern.

Sim's Position

A position where the patient is rotated $35$ to 40^\rect to relax abdominal muscles for enema tip insertion.

Chassard-Lapine Method

A 'jack-knife' axial projection used to demonstrate the rectosigmoid junction.

Welin Technique

A double-contrast enema method used to reveal the smallest intraluminal lesions.

Defecography

A functional study of the anus and rectum during evacuation to evaluate defecation dysfunction.

Oral Cholecystography

Known as Graham's Exam, it uses oral contrast to assess gallbladder function and detect stones.

Cholegraphy

A general term for radiographic examinations of the biliary tract or system.

Percutaneous Transhepatic Cholangiography (PTC)

An invasive method using a Chiba 'Skinny' needle to visualize the biliary tract in jaundiced patients.

ERCP

Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangio-Pancreatography, using a fiber-optic endoscope to catheterize the pancreatic duct.

Operative Pancreatography

A surgico-radiologic procedure where contrast is introduced into the duct of Wirsung.

Urography

Radiographic examination of the urinary system, which may use antegrade or retrograde contrast filling.

IVP

Intravenous Pyelography, also called excretory urography, used to demonstrate renal pelves and calyces.

Nephrogram Phase

The phase occurring $1$ minute after contrast injection, showing a 'blush' of the entire kidney substance.

Ureteric Compression

A method to retard the flow of opacified urine to ensure adequate filling of the renal pelves.

Nephroptosis

An abnormal positional change or dropping of the kidneys, best demonstrated on an erect post-void film.

Hydronephrosis

The abnormal dilation of the pelvicalyceal system within the kidney.

VCUG

Voiding Cystourethrography, a functional study of the bladder and urethra while the patient is urinating.

Brodney Clamp

A device attached to the distal penis during a retrograde urethrography procedure.

Retrograde Pyelography

A non-functional urinary exam where contrast is introduced directly into the pelvicalyceal system via a catheter.

Hysterosalpingography (HSG)

Radiographic demonstration of the uterus and uterine tubes to assess infertility or pain.

Vaginography

Examination used to investigate congenital abnormalities or vaginal fistulas.

Bronchography

The radiographic examination of the lungs and bronchial tree using contrast introduced via several methods.

Arthrography

The examination of the internal anatomy of joints, such as the shoulder or hip.

Myelography

Radiographic study of the spinal cord and its nerve roots within the subarachnoid space.

Seldinger Technique

A common method of catheterization used to visualize blood vessels during angiography.

Lymphography

Examination of the lymphatic system following the injection of contrast, usually on the foot.

Cisternography

Radiographic examination of the cisterna magna of the brain, often used when MRI is unavailable.

Sinogram

A procedure using contrast dye to visualize the structure and function of a sinus or fistula.

Prostatography

Radiographic investigation of the prostate gland for calcareous deposits or enlargement.

Antegrade Filling

Contrast entry where the medium enters the kidney in the normal direction of blood flow.

Retrograde Filling

The introduction of contrast media against the normal direction of flow.

Dionosil

An iodized oil contrast medium used specifically in laryngo-pharyngography and bronchography.

T-Tube Cholangiography

A delayed cholangiography method where contrast is introduced through an indwelling drainage tube post-surgery.