Imaging of Endocrinology Flashcards
(46 cards)
What imaging technique is best to view the pituitary gland
MRI
What plane is best to view the pituitary on CT
Axial
What structure does the pituitary gland sit in
The sella turcica
What connects the brain and the pituitary gland
Pituitary stal
What lies immediately posterior to the pituitary
The optic chiasm
What is found lateral to the pituitary gland
Carotid arteries
The pituitary gland is inferior to what structure
Hypothalamus
What is sometimes describes as a snowman on MRI
Pituitary macroadenoma
What is the most common problem affecting the pituitary gland
micro-adenoma
What do micro-adenomas do to the pituitary
Alter the endocrine function but do not cause compression symptoms
e.g. high prolactin
Why do thyroid images not always require IV contrast
They still return a relatively high attenuation compared to other structures
The thyroid gland is superficial to the strap muscles. True or false ?
False it is deep to them
What structures appear larger on CT, internal jugular veins or common carotid arteries
Internal jugular veins
What structures are at risk in thyroid surgery
Parathyroid glands and
Recurrent laryngeal nerves
What does the Right recurrent larygenal nerve swoop round
The right subclavian artery
What does the Left recurrent larygenal nerve swoop round
The aortic arch
If the patient has been diagnosed with something, is there any point in imaging?
Yes - to establish the origin of the problem - whether it is diffuse or focal
What are some Diffuse causes of hypothyroidism
Grave’s
Thyroiditis
What are some focal causes of hypothyroidism
Dominant nodule
What scans are performed to differentiate between diffuse and focal
Ultrasound and Radioisotope studies
What type of structures are adrenal glands
Retroperitoneal
What are adrenal glands seen as in CT scans
Y shaped structures
What imaging technique is best to view the adrenal glands
MRI in axial or coronal planes
What are the two limbs of the adrenal glands
Medial and lateral
