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ACUTE CARE MODULE 2 > Neuro Imaging > Flashcards

Neuro Imaging Flashcards

(52 cards)

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1
Q

what is the standard slice orientation for neuro imaging

A

transaxial or axial where the L is shown as R as if you’re standing at the patient’s feet

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2
Q

what is an xray

A

short-wavelength EM vibrations that can produce a 2D image

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3
Q

what are x rays used for

A

bony changes, stenosis, and subluxation of the spine

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4
Q

what are the three advantages of an xray

A
  1. inexpensive
  2. readily available
  3. quick to obtain
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5
Q

what are the 2 disadvantages of xray

A
  1. ionizing radiation

2. nonsensitive with many pathologies missing on plain film

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6
Q

what is CT

A

commuted tomography is multiple x rays collected by a computer

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7
Q

what are cardinal signs of an abnormal head CT (3)

A
  1. abnormal tissue density
  2. mass effect from edema/hemorrhage/tumor
  3. ventricular enlargement
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8
Q

what are the two BIGGEST indications for CT

A

highly sensitive for intracranial hemorrhage and acute head trauma/skull fracture

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9
Q

how does a hemorrhage show up on a CT

A

white due to Hb

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10
Q

what is another, but lesser indication for a CT

A

certain brain tumors (meningiomas and gliomas) and cysts

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11
Q

what are the four major advantages of CT

A
  1. more accurate visualization than xray
  2. widely available at low cost
  3. critical care monitoring devices are allowed
  4. excellent bone imaging
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12
Q

what are the three major disadvantages of CT

A
  1. ionizing radiation
  2. acute phase head injuries may be negative for diffuse axonal injury and ischemic CVA
  3. poor resolution and contrast compared to MRI
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13
Q

what can CT not image?

A

diffuse axonal injury and ischemic CVA, especially during acute phase head injury

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14
Q

how can the CT disadvantages apply to PT

A

PT can educate family on inconclusivity of a negative CT result

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15
Q

what is the most commonly evaluated element in MRI

A

hydrogen

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16
Q

what does a T1 weighted MRI tell you

A

anatomic detail typically used to identify lesions (gray matter is gray and white matter is white)

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17
Q

when is a T2 MRI typically used

A

typically used to identify contusions, brain bleeds, changes in CSF, and ventricular volume

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18
Q

how does fluid show up on a T2 MRI

A

bright white

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19
Q

what are the two advantages of MRI

A
  1. no ionizing radiation

2. excellent soft tissue contrast and high resolution

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20
Q

what are the four disadvantages of MRI

A
  1. longer scan times
  2. susceptible to patient movement
  3. will dislodge implants
  4. limited availability and higher cost
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21
Q

what is cerebral angiography (CTA) used for

Study These Flashcards
A

used to detect blockages or narrowing or arteries/veins in the brain, head, or neck with the best visualization of the vascular system

22
Q

how long does a CTA take

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A

takes up to 3 hours

23
Q

how does CTA work

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A

small capsule containing radiopaque dye released into cerebrum followed by a series of xrays in order to note any obstruction

24
Q

how can a CTA be applied to a patient’s condition

Study These Flashcards
A

it is used to determine stroke extent, size of a tumor, presence of aneurysms, AVMs, and blood flow

25
what are the PT implications for CTA (2)
1. bedrest for approximately 8 hours to ensure proper healing of catheter site 2. no movement of the catheter site, usually femoral artery
26
what is magnetic resonance angiography (MRA)
used to asses vascular anatomy in medium to large vessels without the use of a contrast agent
27
what is an EEG
recording of brain activity using electrodes fixed to the scalp
28
where does the electrical activity come from for EEG?
inhibitory and excitatory postsynaptic potential of pyramidal cells
29
what are the advantages of an EEG
noninvasive, painless, and inexpensive
30
what four things can an EEG assist in diagnosing
1. seizure disorders involving tumors and head injury 2. psych and sleep disorders 3. metabolic/degenerative disorders of the brain 4. CONFIRM DEATH
31
what is the sole PT implication for EEGs
activity may be withheld or performed based on orders
32
what is myelography
injection of contrast into subarachnoid to enhance dx of spinal nerve injury, vertebral displacement, herniation, cord compression, or cord tumor
33
what are the PT implications for myelography
complaint of headache, back spasm, and N/V
34
what does nuclear imaging do
images the spatial distribution of radioactive isotopes
35
what are types of nuclear imaging
bone scan, PET, SPECT scans
36
what are examples of things that will elicit an image on nuclear imaging
cell swelling, edema, and tumor growth
37
what does a PET scan tell you
brain hemodynamics and metabolic activity also the most common nuclear imaging device for neuro patients
38
T/F: a PET scan can tell if a tumor is benign or malignant
true
39
what is PET mainly used for
dx, staging, and evaluation of treatment of brain tumors
40
what is the advantage of a PET scan
can perform hemodynamic, chemical, and thus functional imaging of cerebral blood flow and glucose metabolism
41
what are the three disadvantages of a PET scan
1. high cost 2. radiation 3. limited access
42
what does ultrasound imaging do
assesses blood flow direction, velocity, and magnitude using the doppler effect against RBCs
43
what are the advantages of ultrasound doppler
noninvasive, portable, cheap, and high intrinsic spatial resolution
44
what is the disadvantage of ultrasound doppler
poor soft tissue contrast
45
what are the two types of ultrasound doppler
1. transcranial doppler sonography | 2. carotid noninvasives
46
what is transcranial doppler sonography
determines velocity of blood in cerebral or basilar arteries - over thin cranial bones or their gaps
47
what is carotid noninvasives
assesses severity of carotid occlusion and stenosis - over the common, internal, and external carotids
48
what is the order of imaging for a spinal trauma
1. plain film x ray 2. CT if fracture is suspected 3. MRI if ligamentous/disc/soft tissue involvement suspicion
49
what imaging is best for progressive loss of neuro function
MRI has the greatest ability to differentiate spinal cord primary disorder and extradural defect - but we may also see spinal myelography
50
what is the best imaging for brain/skull trauma
non contrast CT or MRI in the first 24 hours, but CT is imaging of choice due to compatibility with medical equipment and sensitivity for skull fractures
51
what is the best imaging for a CVA
1. CT very sensitive for acute ICH | 2. MRI is more accurate for acute ischemic infarct
52
what is the best imaging for a brain tumor
1. MRI 2. CT with contrast (if MRI not available/indicated) 3. PET scan

ACUTE CARE MODULE 2 (9 decks)

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