radiopaque
not easily penetrated, white
radioluscent
easily penetrated, black
radiograph
actual image
x ray
photon beam/electromagnetic radiation
attenuation
reduction in the number of x-ray photons in the beam as they interact with matter and lose energy due to scattering/absorption
radioluscent to radiodense
air, fat, water, bone, metal
one view is no view
single radiograph only shows length and width, you need a second radiograph to show depth
upright
seated or standing
recumbent
laying down
trendelenburg
laying down with head lower than feet
decubitus
laying down (body horizontal) with the use of a horizontal x-ray beam
what four factors indicate image quality on a radiograph?
density, contrast, detail, distortion
what are the five potential types of results on a routine radiograph?
positive for suspected diagnosis, negative for suspected diagnosis, negative for suspected diagnosis but raises suspicion for another diagnosis, inconclusive, wrong
radiologist
medical doctor
radiographer
tech
quadruple aim
improved patient experience, better outcomes, reduced costs, improved clinician experience
free radicals
major contributor to damage from radiation is through radiation changing a water molecule into a new form called a free radical
chemically highly active and can have reactions with genetic molecules of the cell (such as DNA)
standard imaging
film/screen
flouroscopy
dynamic/continuous real-time imaging
computed radiography
use of phosphor screen (instead of film) to produce a digital image
digital radiography
use an x-ray sensitive semiconductor material
air
black on xray
fat
gray-black on xray
water
gray on x-ray
bone
white on x-ray
contrast media
appears bright white outlined on x-ray
what are the 2 contrast enhanced studies?
arthography (joint and soft tissue)
myelography (spinal cord, nerve root, dura mater)
what two criteria are used for imaging?
ottawa rules and american college of radiology appropriateness criteria (ACR)
ottawa ankle rules
x ray required if there is pain in the malleolar zone and bone tenderness at posterior edge or tip of lateral or medial malleolus
ottawa foot rules
x ray required if there is pain in midfoot zone bone tenderness at fifth metatarsal or navicular
osteophytes
bone growth at joint
bone spur
bone growth at soft tissue