pathology lesson 3

RFP and SAT Details

  • RFP: 280863
  • SAT: OOKES
  • AF: STUDY1
  • Codes: 1191, 41.56, MA 18, 5cm, SP H23, FoV 199 220, 296 512
  • Image Processing: Tra>Cor(6.1)> SASSAT
  • Additional Parameters:
    • TP O
    • SP H44.5 TR 6300.0
    • SL 5.0 TE 124.0
    • COV 199 220 TA 04:24
  • Equipment Mentioned: Chiller, Harmon

Course Information

  • Institution: Loyalist College
  • Course: Medical Radiation Technology
  • Semester: 2
  • Week: 2
  • Lesson: 3
  • Module: 1
  • Topic: Introduction to Pathology

Learning Objectives

  • Define and identify imaging features most used by radiologists to indicate pathophysiological change.

Importance of Radiographic Imaging Features

  • Understanding terminology assists MRTs in:
    • Comprehending pathophysiological changes reflected in diagnostic imaging.
    • Enhancing the ability to produce diagnostic-quality images.
    • Facilitating effective communication within the healthcare team.

Common Descriptors in Pathology

  • Descriptors Overview:
    • Location
    • Size
    • Density
    • Shape
    • Structure
    • Border (Demarcation)
    • Perfusion
    • Integration

Radiographic Imaging Features

1. Location

  • Signifies the site where anatomical changes are evident.
  • Terms Used:
    • Region of Interest (ROI)
    • Lateralization (R or L)
    • Relative positioning to vessels and organs.

2. Size

  • Measurement of changes in anatomic features.
  • Parameters Include:
    • Diameter, width, and length
    • Units: Centimeters (cm) or millimeters (mm)

3. Density

  • Description of abnormal appearance compared to normal tissue.
  • Descriptive Terms Include:
    • High density (hyperdense)
    • Equal density (isodense)
    • Low density (hypodense)
    • Radiopaque
    • Radiolucent
  • Practical Application:
    • In bone mineral densitometry or CT scanning, density changes can be visual or quantified (Hounsfield units).

4. Structure

  • Abnormal appearance compared to expected findings.
  • Descriptive Terms:
    • Heterogeneous
    • Homogeneous

5. Shape

  • Describes anatomical structural changes.
  • Descriptive Terms Include:
    • Tubular (e.g., vessels or muscles)
    • Nodular (e.g., tumors or lymph nodes)
    • Reticular (net-like)
    • Striate or diffuse (streaked or broadly spread)
    • Round
    • Oval
    • Lobular
    • Irregular

6. Border (Demarcation)

  • Observes anatomic changes at borders or limits.
  • Descriptive Terms Include:
    • Well-defined (sharply marginated or circumscribed): More likely benign
    • Ill-defined (indistinct margins): More likely cancerous
    • Spiculated (radiating lines from the center): Highly suspicious for cancer
    • Microlobulated (small undulations): Similar to blackberry contours
    • Obscured (hidden parts due to superimposed tissue)

7. Perfusion

  • Assess blood presence within vessels, requiring contrast media.
  • Indicates tissue vascularity.
  • Distinguishes between cystic and solid lesions during assessments.
  • Special studies can measure blood volume and flow rate, crucial for stroke diagnosis.
  • Signs of perfusion issues:
    • Filling defects could indicate thrombus or embolus
  • Terms Related to Enhancement:
    • Peripheral, homogeneous, heterogeneous enhancement

8. Integration

  • Indicates the space occupancy of a pathological process within anatomy.
  • Described with the term "space-occupying effect."

Normal vs Abnormal Imaging Features

  • Discussion summary includes the analysis of normal and abnormal imaging characteristics.

References

  • Eisenberg, Ronald L., Johnson, Nancy M. (2021). Comprehensive Radiographic Pathology, (7th Ed.). Elsevier.
  • Frank, Eugene D. (2023). Merrill's Atlas of Radiographic Positioning and Procedures, Vol 1-3 (15th Ed.). Elsevier.
  • O’Donnell, C. (2015). "Left middle cerebral artery branch embolus causing stroke." Radiopaedia.org. https://doi.org/10.53347/rid-36518

Next Steps

  • Upcoming Lesson: Overview of various diagnostic imaging modalities and their roles in disease/pathology identification and patient diagnosis.
  • Discussed Modalities:
    • Mammography
    • Ultrasound
    • Computed Tomography
    • Magnetic Resonance Imaging
    • Nuclear Medicine
    • Fusion Imaging