Diagnostic imaging - spine Flashcards
How should you radiograph the spine?
Several images should be taken - so doesnt diverge
How do you evaluate rotation of the spine?
Look at the ribs (thoracic spine)
Look at transverse processes (cervical, lumbar)
What should you look for when evaluating spinal radiographs?
Shape
Margination
Trabecular structure and overall opacity
Intervertebral disc spaces
What does lytic change of the vertebrae suggest?
Neoplasia
What changes can be seen in the intervertebral disc spaces?
Oval areas of increased opacity - mineralised discs
What is the shape of the normal intervertebral foramen normally look like?
A horses head
What contrast technique can you use to look at the spinal cord?
Myelography - delineates the subarachnoid space
What contrast do you use for myelography?
Non-ionic water soluble contrast medium
Ionic causes seizures
What are the indications for myelography?
Neurological dysfunction
Spinal pain
But now use MRI where available - less complications
What are the complications of myelography?
Spinal cord damage
Haemorrhage into cord
Infectious - meningitis
Seizures - meningeal irritation
What are the different lesion sites that can be seen on myelography?
Extradural - disc extrusion/protrusion
Intramedullary - cord oedema, myelitis
Intradural, extramedullary - nerve root tumour, meningioma
How can you tell if a radiograph is right or left lateral?
Left lateral - diaphragm can come further forward as left lung is collapsed, crura form a V
Right lateral - Stomach further back, two crura are parallel to each other
How do you tell the difference between DV and VD?
DV - single dome
VD - two domes
What are the main species differences of cat and dog on radiograph?
Tympanic bullae
Patellae - cat more tapered, baseball cap
Caudal lung field - top of lung doesnt reach body wall dorsally, wedge of muscle there
Costochondral junction on ribs - dog more thickened and irregular
Clavicle - cat
What are the Roentgen signs?
Size
Shape
Opacity
Position
Margination
