Radiographic Contrast Examination Review

A set of vocabulary flashcards covering radiographic contrast media, procedures, and related medical conditions from the lecture notes.

Contrast Media

Substances with a higher atomic number than surrounding tissue used for opacification, visualization, and contrast studies.

Positive Contrast Media

Radiopaque materials like $BaSO_4$ characterized by a high atomic number that increase absorption and decrease density.

Negative Contrast Media

Radiolucent materials such as Air or Nitrogen with a low atomic number that decrease absorption and increase density.

Histamine Imbalance

A reaction occurring when a patient cannot tolerate the contrast media.

Psychosomatic Reaction

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

Pyrogenic Reaction

A reaction that tends to cause a rise in body temperature.

Viscosity

The quality of a sticky fluid; warming contrast can help manage this property.

Osmolality

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

Barium Sulfate ($BaSO_4$)

A water-insoluble, non-toxic, and stable metallic salt used as a radiopaque contrast agent.

Thin Barium

A mixture containing $1$ part barium to $1$ part water, often used for the entire GI tract at a $60\%$ weight-to-volume ratio.

Thick Barium

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

Sialography

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

Stensen’s duct

The parotid duct, the largest salivary duct, measuring approximately $5\,\text{cm}$ or $2\,\text{inches}$ in length.

Wharton’s Duct

The submandibular or submaxillary 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.

Palatography

Radiographic examination of the soft palate, often used to investigate suspected tumors or evaluate chewing and swallowing in children.

Nasopharyngography

The examination of the nasopharynx following the instillation of contrast media to assess tumors or hypertrophy of pharyngeal tonsils.

Gunson Method

A pharyngography technique that synchronizes exposure with the height of swallowing by tying a dark shoestring around the patient's throat.

Valsalva maneuver

A method where the patient performs a forcible exhalation against a closed airway to distend the subglottic larynx and trachea with air.

Modified Valsalva maneuver

A technique used to distend the supraglottic laryngeal structures with air by pinching the nostrils with the mouth closed.

Dysphagia

Difficulty in swallowing, noted as an indication for barium swallow studies.

Achalasia

A condition characterized by abnormal constriction of the gastroesophageal junction.

Barrett's Esophagus

A condition involving a stricture in the distal esophagus, sometimes resulting in peptic ulcers.

Bezoar

A mass of undigested material trapped in the stomach, such as hair (trichobezoar) or vegetable fiber (phytobezoar).

Gastritis

Inflammation of the stomach lining or mucosa, which can be acute or chronic.

Hiatal Hernia

A congenital weakening of the muscle allowing a portion of the stomach to protrude through the diaphragm.

Peristalsis

Contraction waves by which the digestive tube propels contents, normally occurring $3$ to $4$ times per minute.

Enteroclysis

A procedure where contrast media is introduced directly into the duodenum using a specialized tube like the Bilbao or Selink tube.

Intussusception

The telescoping or invagination of one part of the intestine into another, often presenting with a "mushroom-shaped" radiographic appearance.

Volvulus

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

ERCP

Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangio-Pancreatography; a method using a fiber-optic endoscope to diagnose biliary and pancreatic conditions.

Nephroptosis

The abnormal downward displacement or positional change of the kidneys.

IVP (Intravenous Pyelography)

An excretory urography procedure demonstrating the anatomy and physiology of the renal pelves, calyces, ureters, and bladder.

Nephrogram

The initial phase of an IVP, appearing about $1\,\text{minute}$ after injection, showing the "blush" of the renal parenchyma.

Hysterosalpingography (HSG)

The radiographic demonstration of the uterus and uterine tubes, used primarily for infertility assessment.

Arthrography

The radiographic examination of the internal anatomy of joints, including pneumoarthrography using negative contrast.

Myelography

Examination of the CNS structures within the spinal canal following a spinal puncture at the $L2-L3$ interspace.

Seldinger Technique

A common method of vessel catheterization used in angiography.

Lymphography

Radiographic examination of the lymphatic system following the injection of contrast media, usually into the dorsum of the foot.

Defecography

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