Week 2.4 ABCs

Question 1

what do we need when interpreting a image

Answer 1

knowledge of the technique, knowledge of anatomy, knowledge of pathology

Question 2

what are the errors associated with interpretation

Answer 2

observation is incomplete and faulty

interpretation is not actually connecting the signs to the data

Question 3

ABCs

Answer 3

Alignment
bone density
cartilage spaces
soft tissues

Question 4

what is a search strategy or pattern

Answer 4

to account for all the possible findings

decreases the changes of error

Question 5

what do we want to look for with alignment

Answer 5

• general skeletal architecture (size and number of bones)
• contour of bones (smooth and continuous cortical outline)
• alignment of bone to bone (normal articulations and normal spatial relationships)

Question 6

what do we want to observe for bone density

Answer 6

• general density (contrast the shades of soft tissue to bone, and the contrast within the bone: cortisol shell and cancellous center)
• textural abnormalities (normal trabecular architecture
• local bone density changes (sclerosis at areas of increased stress or ligament, tendon, muscle attachment)

Question 7

if you have a decrease in the difference between the cortisol and cancellous bones, what does that indicate

Answer 7

osteoporosis

Question 8

what feature are you looking for in normal bone that is not present in osteopenia bone, and what is this called

Answer 8

Ward’s triangle, and trabeculae make these up. gives areas of compression and tension and help to fortify the bone and give it strength

Question 9

what do we look for in cartilaginous spaces

Answer 9

• joint space width (well preserved or compressed)
• subchondral bone (smooth surface)
• epiphyseal plates (normal size relative to epiphysis and skeletal age)

Question 10

what are you looking for with soft tissue

Answer 10

• muscles (normal size)
• fat pads (radiolucent crescent parallel to bone, and radiolucent lines parallel to muscles)
• joint capsules (distinct)
• periosteum (should be indistinct, and solid)
• miscellaneous soft tissue (should exhibit a water-density shade of grey)

Question 11

what is smooth changes in soft tissue periosteum

Answer 11

tumor

Question 12

what is an onion skin change in soft tissue periosteum

Answer 12

repetitive

Question 13

what is a sunburst speculated in soft tissue periosteum

Answer 13

malignant bone lesion

Question 14

what is a Codman’s change in the soft tissue periosteum

Answer 14

tumor, hemorrhage or repetitive injury

Question 15

what does a fat pad sign in the elbow indicate

Answer 15

a radial head fracture