CT vs MRI vs Convention Plain Film

Question 1

Requires at least 2 views 90 degrees from each other

Answer 1

Conventional Radiography

Question 2

• Low cost
• widespread availability
• excellent skeletal images

Answer 2

Conventional Radiography

Question 3

Disadvantages:

• Has ionizing radiation
• poorly visualizes soft tissue
• less sensitive to subtle pathology(stress fractures) than other methods

Answer 3

Conventional Radiography

Question 4

Primary uses:
visualizing pathology of bones and joints
-monitoring fracture healing
-visualizing orthopedic hardware

Answer 4

Conventional Radiography

Question 5

Produces cross-sectional images or slices of tissue using radiation

Answer 5

CT

Question 6

Produces cross-sectional images or slices of tissue using strong magnetic field

Answer 6

MRI

Question 7

Usually follows conventional radiography to confirm a diagnosis or further define pathology

Answer 7

CT

Question 8

May be primary imaging modality in serious trauma as injuries to both osseous and soft tissue structures can be determined from imaging series

Answer 8

CT

Question 9

Not first imaging choise; usually preceded by other modalities

Answer 9

MRI

Question 10

First-order diagnostic imaging modality

Answer 10

Conventional Radiograph

Question 11

Involve T1 and T2 imaging protocols

Answer 11

MRI

Question 12

True or False: T2 is good at visualizing anatomical detail and has good resolution

Answer 12

False: this is the definition of T1

Question 13

True or False: T1 would be used to view free water and edema

Answer 13

False: this is the definition of T2

Question 14

Advantages:

-better contrast resolution than conventional raidography for both osseous and soft tissue

Answer 14

CT

Question 15

Provides multiplanar images of tissue

Answer 15

CT

Question 16

Scanning times are shorter

Answer 16

CT has shorter scanning times than MRI

Question 17

Thinner slices

Answer 17

CT over MRI

Question 18

2nd most expensive Modality

Answer 18

CT

Question 19

Most expensive modality

Answer 19

MRI

Question 20

Excellent soft tissue contrast with no ionizing radiation

Answer 20

MRI

Question 21

Claustrophobia and obesity can be a problem with normal scanner; but there is also an open option that alleviates the problem

Answer 21

MRI

Question 22

Long imaging time

Answer 22

MRI

Question 23

Expensive

Answer 23

MRI

Question 24

Differentiates between tissues based on radiodensities

Answer 24

CT

Question 25

Superior soft tissue characterization

Answer 25

MRI

Question 26

Superior osseous anatomy(despite Xray)

Answer 26

CT

Question 27

Contraindicated in the presence of cardiac pacemakers

Answer 27

MRI

Question 28

Primarily used to evaluate subtle or complex fractures of bone; showing bone fragments

Answer 28

CT

Question 29

Evaluation of spinal arthritic changes and spinal stenosis

Answer 29

CT

Question 30

Evaluation of loose bodies in a joint

Answer 30

CT

Question 31

Evaluation of soft tissue

Answer 31

CT

Question 32

Identifying and characterizing soft tissue injuries and pathology ; as well as bone pathology(especially if bone marrow changes are present)

Answer 32

MRI

Question 33

Evaluation of hematomas and joint effusions

Answer 33

MRI

Question 34

Intervertebral disk pathology: differentiation between disk herniation and other causes of impingement

Answer 34

MRI

Question 35

Identifying and staging osteochondral fractures and osteochondritis dissecans

Answer 35

MRI

Question 36

Early detection of stress fractures

Answer 36

MRI

Question 37

May be used to detect fracture of bony lesions when other imaging modalities were unmarkable

Answer 37

Bone Scan

Question 38

Highly sensitive modality; low specificity

Answer 38

Bone Scan

Question 39

A viable alternative to MRI for evaluating msk soft tissue

Answer 39

ultrasound

Question 40

Low cost and portability with no contraindications

Answer 40

ultrasound

Question 41

Localizing bone tumors

Answer 41

bone scan

Question 42

detecting metastases

Answer 42

bone scan