Clinical Anatomy Flashcards
Most Common Types of Medical Imaging Studies
Radiography (x-ray)
Computed Tomography (CT)
Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)
Ultrasonography
ALARA Principle
Try to keep radiation dose AS LOW AS REASONABLY ACHIEVABLE
Advantages of X-ray
Readily available
Inexpensive
Non-Invasive
Note: X-ray is only for bones and joints
X-Ray Disadvantages
Uses ionizing radiation (low dose)
Technician dependent quality
Lack of discrimination of soft tissue
CT Scan Advantages
Great image quality for bones & joints especially
Can adjust settings to enhance image quality
Can view anatomy in all 3 planes
Please note: want to use if possibility there is any internal damage to bones and/or joints
CT Scan Disadvantages
Uses ionizing radiation (high dose)
Soft tissues not very well visualized
Image quality is patient-dependent
MRI Advantages
Very high image quality
Detailed view of soft tissues
DOES NOT use ionizing radiation
Can view anatomy in all 3 planes
Ultra clear - just in gray-scale
MRI Disadvantages
Metallic implants are a contraindication b/c of the use of the magnet
Claustrophobia associated with the chamber
Expensive
Availability
Radiographic Densities and Tissue Thickness
X-Ray Orientation
Reading X-Rays : ABC’s
Things to Keep in Mind When Reading X-Rays
External / Internal Objects
Superimposition of Structures
Patient Positioning
Mechanism of Injury
Soft Tissue Layers
Limitations of X-Ray
Body Planes & Planes of Imaging for CT & MRI
Transverse
Frontal
Sagittal
Transverse
Divides body into superior and inferior sects
Horizontal plane
AKA axial, transracial
Frontal / Coronal
Vertically oriented plane
Divides body into anterior and posterior parts
Think “corona” or crown
Sagittal
Vertically oriented plane
Divides the body into R and L
The Midline / Mid-Sagittal plane = equal division of R and L parts of the body
Para-Sagittal plane = unequal division
Orientation to Transverse/Axial Images: CT & MRI
Orientation to transverse/axial images → as if standing at the foot of the supine pt looking toward the head - NO MATTER HOW IMAGE WAS OBTAINED
Criss-Cross interpretation of image
Transverse/Axial Image Example
Orientation to Coronal Images: CT & MRI
As if f2f w/ pt - NO MATTER HOW THE IMAGE WAS OBTAINED
Criss-Cross interpretation of sides
Coronal Image Examples
Orientation to Sagittal Images: CT & MRI
As if standing at the side of the pt facing left or right side of the body
Sagittal CT & MRI Image Example
Reading MRI’s
Determine plane
Orient yourself
Identify known structures
Perform a full search pattern
