Intro to Radiology

Question 1

The five most common imaging modalities in order from least to most expensive

Answer 1

Radiography

Ultrasound

CT

Nuclear medicine

MRI

Question 2

Contrast used with MRI imaging used for neoplasms, infections, inflammation, or vasculature

Answer 2

Gadolinium

Question 3

Which two imaging types are preferred in pregnancy?

Answer 3

Ultrasound

MRI

Question 4

Is fat or water brighter in a T1 MRI?

Answer 4

Fat is brighter

Question 5

Two common clinical indications for MRI with contrast of the CNS

Answer 5

Evaluate for primary and metastatic tumor

Differentiate active versus inactive lesions of MS

Question 6

Which, planar or cross-sectional images, provide three dimensional images from two-dimensional slices?

Answer 6

Cross-sectional (CT, ultrasound, MRI)

Question 7

Two common clinical indications for MRI with contrast of the musculoskeletal system

Answer 7

Osteomyelitis

Tumor characterization and assessment of disease extent

Question 8

Wil movement of the object further to the x-ray machine (closer from the plate) provide a larger/smaller or fuzzier/sharper?

Answer 8

Smaller and sharper

Question 9

Two strengths of MRI imaging

Answer 9

Superior soft-tissue contrast

Lack of ionizing radiation

Question 10

Seven strengths of ultrasound

Answer 10

Widely available and cheap
Portable
Safe
Comfortable for patient
Real-time imaging
Good for seeing soft tissue
Doppler available to evaluate blood flow

Question 11

Anatomic structures stacking on top of one another creating the appearance of increased density is an example of …

Answer 11

Superimposition

Question 12

Does angiography provide a live or static image?

Answer 12

Static image

Question 13

Which, planar or cross-sectional images, compress a large amount of information into a two-dimensional image?

Answer 13

Planar (C-XRs, mammography)

Question 14

Which image plane looks through the body from a top down position?

Answer 14

Axial/transverse

Question 15

One common clinical indication for MRI with contrast of the heart

Answer 15

Characterization of cardiac masses

Question 16

Which, a CT or x-ray, gives a patient more radiation?

Answer 16

CT

Question 17

Strengths (3) of CT scanning

Answer 17

Speed

Higher contrast resolution

Ability to manipulate image in post-processing on computers

Question 18

Three weaknesses of MRI

Answer 18

Cost

Time

Can’t use with metal

Question 19

Two types of nuclear imaging

Answer 19

PET (positron emission tomography)

SPECT (single photon emission tomography)

Question 20

Is an x-ray with enhanced soft tissue visibility more likely to be over-penetrated or under-penetrated?

Answer 20

Under-penetrated

Question 21

One common clinical indication for MRI with contrast of the abdomen/pelvis

Answer 21

Detection and characterization of mass lesions in the liver, kidneys, adrenal glands, pancreas, bowel, urinary collecting system, uterus and adnexa, and prostate

Question 22

Increased slice thickness in a CT image may lead to this undesirable effect

Answer 22

Partial volume artifact

(aka volume averaging or slice thickness artifact)

Question 23

Two weaknesses of ultrasound

Answer 23

Dependent on operator skill

Limited evaluation of deep structures, doesn’t work in obese

Question 24

Three strengths of nuclear imaging

Answer 24

Provides information that’s unattainable in other procedures (function)

PET scans can tell whether tumors are malignant or benign, preventing surgery

Have the ability to detect diseases in their earliest stages

Question 25

Is fat or water brighter in a T2 MRI?

Answer 25

Water is brighter

Question 26

Two weaknesses of nuclear imaging

Answer 26

Radiation Cost and accessibility

Question 27

Weaknesses (2) of CT scanning

Answer 27

Radiation exposure Nephrotoxicity from contrast materials

Question 28

At what size does a small bowel dilation become a concern?

Answer 28

> 3cm

Question 29

Which image plane looks through the body from a side on position?

Answer 29

Sagittal

Question 30

An MRI image primarily reflects the ..... ....... in the patient

Answer 30

Water protons

Question 31

Which imaging technique is a live-x-ray and what type of contrast is typically used with it?

Answer 31

Fluoroscopy Used with barium contrast

Question 32

Which image plane looks through the body from a front on position?

Answer 32

Coronal

Question 33

Name the five basic densities in order from most to least dense

Answer 33

Metal Bone (calcium) Soft tissue (water, muscle) Fat and lipid Gas (air)

Question 34

CT scanning should be limited in this patient population

Answer 34

Children

Question 35

Do radiopaque objects appear black or white on x-rays?

Answer 35

White

Question 36

Do radiolucent objects appear black or white on x-rays?

Answer 36

Black

Question 37

Main disadvantage of plain radiography

Answer 37

Collapse of complex three dimensional structures into a two dimensional image

Question 38

Which, T1 or T2, is the most anatomical MRI image?

Answer 38

T1

Question 39

Which, T1 or T2, is the most commonly used and pathologic MRI image?

Answer 39

T2

Question 40

Which imaging types give zero radiation to the patient?

Answer 40

Ultrasound MRI

Question 41

One common clinical indication for MRI with contrast of the breast

Answer 41

Cancer detection for patients undergoing screening and those with symptoms

Question 42

Silhouette Sign refers to ...

Answer 42

Loss of normal borders between structures Due to two objects of the same radiographic density touching each other Impossible to tell where one object ends and the other begins

Question 43

Absolute first first first step when looking at imaging

Answer 43

Always look for the patient's name and/or number

Question 44

Low dose CT is acceptable at this point in pregnancy

Answer 44

After first trimester

Question 45

Contraindications for use of radiographic contrast

Answer 45

Prior reactions or shellfish/iodine allergy Pregnancy Renal disease Hematologic parameters (bleeders)

Question 46

Radiographic density of an object depends on these two things

Answer 46

Composition of material Thickness

Question 47

Is an x-ray with enhanced bone visibility more likely to be over-penetrated or under-penetrated?

Answer 47

Over-penetrated

Question 48

Wil movement of the object closer to the x-ray machine (further from the plate) provide a larger/smaller or fuzzier/sharper?

Answer 48

Larger and fuzzier