Dartmouth Introduction to Imaging Flashcards
Radiographs
xrays are discrete quantities of what?
electromagnetic radiation that are produced outside the nucleus of an atom
Radiographs
what are xrays produced via?
in a generator by the interaction of an electron beam
Radiographs
describe screen film radiography
the cassette contains film and intensifying screens. when the xrays hit the film, a photochemical rxn occurs which causes the metallic silver in the film to precipitate which renders the film black when developed
Radiographs
describe digital (computed) radiography
the cassette contains a photo-stimulable phosphor detector system. when the xray hits the cassette, a fraction of the absorbed energy is trapped in the detector. A red laser light stimulates the emission of trapped energy and blue-green light is converted into an electric signal which is digitalized
Radiographs
when viewing an image, you cannot tell whether a structure is what or what?
anterior or posterior
Radiographs
the pts R side is displayed on which side of the image?
left
Radiographs
which structures look white on xray? why?
more dense (bone); because they absorb more
Radiographs
which structures appear black on xray? why?
air, fat; because they do not absorb as much
Radiographs
what color would each be?
* air
* fat
* soft tissue/organs
* metal, calcium, bones
- black
- gray/black
- gray
- white
Radiographs
what are low density structures called?
radiolucent
Radiographs
how does the thickness of something impact its appearance?
thicker structures absorb more, so it will appear whiter
Radiographs
which structures are the easiest to evaluate on radiograph?
- radiodense (bone/clacium)
- radiolucent
Radiographs
simply- how can you tell if a bone is broken on xray?
disruption in the smooth outer edge
Radiographs
a break in the bone is less dense… why? (so darker on xray)
space fills with blood and marrow
Radiographs
medulla vs cortex of bone
- medulla: inner portion, less dense (appears darker)
- cortex: outer portion, more dense, appears lighter
Radiographs
how to tell if a child’s growth plate is still open?
- smooth, undulating lucent line separating the epiphysis from the metaphysis
Radiographs
how to determine bone age using xray
evaluation of bony structures and growth plates of the hand
Radiographs
how should normal lungs appear?
black
Radiographs
how do abnormalities appear in the lungs?
typically varying shades of gray
Radiographs
what can CXR be used for?
- evaluate size/shape of the heart
- evaluating the pleura
- evaluating the lungs
Radiographs
what can abdominal xray evaluate?
- small and large intestines (because they are air filled, so appear darker)
- kidney stones
Radiographs
are abd xrays good for seeing organs?
no- all similar densities so hard to differentiate. sometimes adjacent fat can allow you to see borders
Computed Tomography
how are images obtained?
xray detectors located 180 deg from each other rotate around a patient to create axial slices of a patient
Computed Tomography
how to interpret the images? (like anterior/posterior/right side/left side)
the images are viewed as though the patient is lying down on their back and you are standing at their feet.