Imaging the Brain & Spinal Cord Flashcards

1
Q

What are the 3 main imaging modalities used for imaging the brain?

1 - ultrasound, CT, MRI
2 - X-ray, CT, PET-scan
3 - X-ray, CT, MRI
4 - X-ray, CT, doppler ultrasound

A

3 - X-ray, CT, MRI

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2
Q

Is X-ray an effective imaging modality for first line investigation for trauma?

A
  • no
  • mainly involved in hard tissue only
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3
Q

Can X-ray be used to investigate the physical abuse in children?

A
  • yes
  • can show bone fractures
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4
Q

Label the arrows from the X-ray below using the labels below:

  • frontal sinus
  • ethmoid sinus
  • mandibular condyle
  • maxillary sinus
  • occiptal bone
  • mastoid air cells
  • sphenoid sinus
  • sella turcica (pituitory gland sits here)
  • air in nasopharynx
A

1 - frontal sinus
2 - maxillary sinus
3 - ethmoid sinus
4 - sphenoid sinus
5 - sella turcica (pituitory gland sits here)
6 - occiptal bone
7 - mastoid air cells
8 - air in nasopharynx
9 - mandibular condyle

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5
Q

If a patient has a suspected injury to the brain from trauma, what imaging modality would be appropriate 1st?

1 - MRI
2 - CT
3 - X-ray
4 - ultrasound

A

2 - CT

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6
Q

If a patient has been involved in trauma and has suspected head injury, why would a CT be performed over an MRI?

A
  • lots of contraindications for an MRI
  • patient would need to answer questions to ensure risk factors for MRI, may be unconscious
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7
Q

When a CT of the head is performed, lots of sections are imaged before being combined together. They eyes are avoided, why?

A
  • to avoid radiating the orbits
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8
Q

From MRI and CT, which imaging is best for bone and soft tissue?

A
  • bone = CT scan
  • soft tissue = MRI
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9
Q

Why does white matter show up on MRI well?

A
  • high fat content
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10
Q

What is a subcortical structure of the brain?

A
  • anything below the cerebral cortex of the brain
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11
Q

Label the structures in the MRI coronal image of the brain numbered 1-8 using the labels below:

  • medulla
  • lateral ventricle
  • cerebellum
  • midbrain
  • third ventricle
  • hippocampus
  • corpus collosum
  • pons
A

1 - lateral ventricle
2 - third ventricle
3 - corpus collosum
4 - midbrain
5 - hippocampus
6 - pons
7 - cerebellum
8 - medulla

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12
Q

What is the basal nuclei, also commonly known as the basal ganglia?

A
  • group of subcortical nuclei
  • nuclei are clusters of neuronal bodies
  • important for movement co-ordination
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13
Q

What is a fossa?

A
  • depression or hollow space
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14
Q

There are 3 folds in the brain that are created by space between the 2 layers of the dura mater, periosteal layer – lines the inner surface of the bones of the cranium and then meningeal layer – located deep to the periosteal layer. What are the 3 layers called?

1 - Falx cerebri, Tentorium cerebelli, Falx cerebelli
2 - Falx meningeum, Tentorium cerebelli, Falx cerebelli
3 - Falx cerebri, Tentorium cerebelli, cerebelli plexus
4 - Falx cerebri, Tentorium superspinatum, Falx cerebelli

A

1 - Falx cerebri, Tentorium cerebelli, Falx cerebelli

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15
Q

There are 3 folds in the brain that are created by space between the 2 layers of the dura mater, periosteal and meningeal layer – lines the inner surface of the bones of the cranium and then meningeal layer – located deep to the periosteal layer. The 3 layers are:

  • Falx cerebri
  • Tentorium cerebelli
  • Falx cerebelli

What do each of the layers separate?

A

1 - Falx cerebri = seperates left and right hemispheres
2 - Tentorium cerebelli = separates the occipital lobes from the cerebellum
3 - Falx cerebelli = separates the right and left cerebellar hemispheres

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16
Q

What are the 3 parts of the midbrain from top to bottom?

A

1 - midbrain
2 - pons
3 - medulla oblongata

17
Q

In between the 3 meninges of the brain, the dura, arachnoid and pia mater there are 3 main spaces. What are they called and what do they separate?

A

1 - epidural space = separates dura and cranium
2 - subdural space = separates the periosteal layer of dura mater and arachnoid mater
3 - subarachnoid space = space between arachnoid and pia mater

18
Q

In the MRI image we can see below, we are able to see the facial and vestibulocochlear nerve, both cranial nerves. When looking at a transverse section such as this how can you remember which nerve is vestibulocochlear and cranial nerve?

A
  • 7up = 7th nerve cranial nerve is highest
  • coke down = 8th nerve vestibulocochlear
  • cranial nerves 1-10 start raustrally and move caudally, only the 11th and 12th cranial nerve are switched around
19
Q

The circle of willis can be identified well on an MRI. What can be detected well and is present on the image below?

1 - blocked artery
2 cerebral oedema
3 - brain aneurysm
4 - cerebral infarct

A

3 - brain aneurysm

20
Q

When looking at an MRI image of the spine, why is the middle dark and the outside lighter?

A
  • interior is dark as it is cell bodies
  • exterior is whiter as it contains fat from myelin
21
Q

An MRI is a very useful imaging modality for what degenerative disease/disorders?

A
  • neurodegenerative
22
Q

If a patient attended accident and emergency with trauma and experiencing pins and needles in the arms and/or legs, what would be the most suitable imaging modality, providing no contraindications?

1 - MRI
2 - CT
3 - X-ray
4 - ultrasound doppler

A

1 - MRI
- suggests damage to cervical spine

23
Q

During an MRI scan there are T1 and T2 sections. In a T1 section, what colour will the water and fat be?

A
  • fat = bright white
  • water = dark
24
Q

During an MRI scan there are T1 and T2 sections. In a T2 section, what colour will the water and fat be?

A
  • water = white/light grey
  • fat = darker