radiology

Question 1

what scans are soft tissue shown by

Answer 1

• CT

- MRI

Question 2

where does the neural foramen lie

Answer 2

inferior to the pedicle

Question 3

what is the posterior arch comprised of

Answer 3

2 pedicles
2 laminae
1 spinous process
2 transverse processes

Question 4

does C1 have a vertebral body

Answer 4

no

Question 5

when is CT used to image spina trauma

Answer 5

• more detail required
• to see if any more fractures are present
• X-ray normal but high clinical suspicion of high energy injury, associated head injury or abnormal neurological examination

Question 6

what on x-ray and CT implies intact ligaments and stable spine

Answer 6

seeing normal vertebral alignment

Question 7

how do damaged ligaments appear on MRI

Answer 7

light

Question 8

how would bone sclerosis show on X-ray and CT

Answer 8

zones of increased bone density

Question 9

how would bone destruction show on x-ray and CT

Answer 9

normal structures become invisible

Question 10

what happens to intervertebral discs when there is disease

Answer 10

they dehydrate

• disc material may herniate through the disc lining into the spinal canal
• herniated disc material may press on spinal nerves
• nerve pressure produces sciatica

Question 11

which scan shows lower lumbar prolapse

Answer 11

CT and MRI

Question 12

which is best to see the spinal cord

Answer 12

MRI

Question 13

how can you diagnose OA on a radiograph

Answer 13

• asymmetric cartilage wear leads to asymmetric joint space reduction
• increase in subchondral bone vascularity and cellularity drives new bone formation leading to scelrosis of subchondral bone
• weakened bone may cave in

Question 14

diagnosis of RA on radiographs

Answer 14

• soft tissue swelling
• periarticular osteoporosis
• bone destruction at joint margins
• bone shortening
• ligaments stretch further
• deformity
• subluxation

Question 15

diagnosing seronegative arthritis on radiographs

Answer 15

• sacroiliac joint and spine involvement
• ill defined periarticular new bone formation
• ossification of ligaments and bone fusion

Question 16

radiograph features of psoriatic arthritis

Answer 16

• small joints of hand and feet

- DIP joints, IP joint great toe

Question 17

radiograph features of ankylosing spondylitis

Answer 17

scattered large lower limb joints

Question 18

radiograph reiters syndrome

Answer 18

• scattered large lower limb joints

- lower limb entheses

Question 19

what does lucency crossing bone mean

Answer 19

an area that lets X-rays through the tissue and as a result appears darker on the picture.

Question 20

what does it mean if a fracture is comminution

Answer 20

when its split into three or four fragments