Imaging

Question 1

X Ray

Answer 1

• The more dense the structure, the whiter it appears
• Exposure to radiation

Question 2

CT Scan

Answer 2

• Plain film x ray slices
• Multiplanar
• typically used for complex fractures, facet dysfunction, disc disease, stenosis
• Demonstrates soft tissue structures but not as well as MRI
• exposed to radiation

Question 3

Discography

Answer 3

• Radiopaque dye is injected into the disc to identify abnormalities within the disc
• Needle is inserted with help of fluoroscopy
• expensive, painful, risk of infection

Question 4

MRI

Answer 4

• No radiation; uses magnetic field

Question 5

T1 MRI

Answer 5

demonstrates fat within the tissues (appears white; CSF appears dark)
- typically used to assess bony anatomy

Question 6

T2 MRI

Answer 6

• suppresses fat and demonstrates tissues with high water content
• used to assess soft tissue structures
• Fat is dark, water is light

Question 7

Radiation exposure from high to low

Answer 7

• CT
• X ray, Myelogram
• Bone scan
• Ultrasound, MRI (None)

Question 8

Arthrography

Answer 8

• invasive technique that injects water soluble dye into area and is observed with radiograph
• demonstrates where fluid moves within joints
• used to identify abnormalities within joints such as tendon rupture
• expensive and risks

Question 9

Bone scans

Answer 9

• chemicals laced with radioactive tracers are injected
• isotope settles in areas where there is a high metabolic activity of bone
• RA, possible stress fractures, bone cancer, bone infection

Question 10

Diagnostic Ultrasound

Answer 10

• can assess soft tissue dysfunctions using high frequency sound waves
• limited by small viewing field, contrast resolution, poor penetration of bone

Question 11

Myelography

Answer 11

• invasive technique using water soluble dye
• visualized as it passes through vertebral canal to observe anatomy within region
• seldom used, expensive, involves overnight hospital stay