General Techniques

Question 1

What steps should you take to plan your rad image? (6)

Answer 1

1. Determine rad views
2. Assess the patient
3. Choose technique
4. Preparations
5. The image: Anatomy & Technique assessment

Question 2

Standard care of Rad views (4)

Answer 2

• Two views of any body region.
• Three views of the lungs if eval for tumors.
• Recommended that identical views of opposite limbs are done for comparison.
• Smallest image window possible for max detail (“coning down”)

Question 3

Standard views of thorax (3)

Answer 3

• VD & left Lateral.
• VD, R & L (metastasis check).
• If animal is dyspneic only a VD may be possible.

Question 4

Abdomen standard views

Answer 4

• VD & right Lateral.
• Need “daylight” caudally to visualize entire urethra.

Question 5

Met check is…

Answer 5

Metastasis Eval of the lungs!

Question 6

Assess the patient:
1. Injuries
2. Difficulty breathing
3. Pain
4. Attitude

Answer 6

1. Do no harm! Patients w/trauma hist. or neck/spinal pain should be handled w/care!
2. Pre oxygenate. Minimize stress (be quick & calm). Might only get a DV view.
3. If position is causing pain, stop!! Ask DVM for instructions (sed, diff view).
4. Muzzle, sed. or anesthesia.

Question 7

How should you measure for setting up the x-ray machine?

Answer 7

1. Measure thickest part of region to be imaged at the widest point.
2. Use calipers.
3. Measure in correct positioning.

Question 8

T/F: Technique chart is developed to a specific machine. It is based on the measurement thickness and body region (thoracic, abdomen, bone).

Answer 8

True!

Question 9

What to look for on the Tech chart: (6)

Answer 9

1. Thickness (cm)
2. Study type (thoracic, abdomen)
3. Exposure time (sec)
4. Quantity (mA)
5. Energy setting (kVp)
6. Film type & grid status

Question 10

Focal-film distance

Answer 10

1. Distance between target in xray tube and the surface of the xray cassette.
2. Important that FFD be kept constant!
   - Small changes in distance will lead to large changes in xrays hitting cassette.
   - Cassette placed on bucky req. change in location of head/tech.
   - If must change focal distance for positioning mAs change will be req.

Question 11

Preparations: What is the last step? Placing patient on xray table! (10)

Answer 11

1. All positioning equipment should be selected on/near table.
   - sandbags, foam, cradles, tape, etc.
2. Warm up xray machine.
3. Warm up developer (must be at correct temp!).
4. Rad tech and machine set.
5. Cassette in place.
6. Markers in correct placement (left corner of film).
7. PPE on!
8. Animal safety equipment if needed.
9. Take potty if needed.
10. NOW get patient into xray!

Question 12

Exposing the image (6)

Answer 12

1. Animal is in position, nothing else in field, & coning down has completed.
2. Begin rotor.
3. Image exposure when no movement from animal (peak inhale or exhale).
4. Change cassette between images.
5. Keep cassettes not in use away from beams.
6. Keep them organized!

Question 13

Developing an image (2)

Answer 13

1. Be certain that the developer is at the correct temp!
   - Devel. images before ideal temp cause cloudy images.
2. Extreme care must be taken to not expose white light to film prior to development.

Question 14

Assessing the image (4)

Answer 14

1. Of course everything is perfect the 1st time!
2. BUT if the image is poor, adjustments are made & image is taken again.
3. Sometimes the vet tech does the first eval.
4. THEN DVM interprets.

Question 15

The physics of an image is…

Answer 15

Photon traveling thru patient & exciting fluorescence on radiograph screen.
- Air is always black
- Bone is always white
- Tissues will be shades of grey based on density
- Objects whiter than bone are rocks and metals

Question 16

Radiographs of Skeleton

Answer 16

• Bone density should be uniform white.
• No irregs to bone surface should be seen. (ab. growths/fractures).
• Comparing to opposite side of body is ideal to eval normal vs disease.