Radiology Reference Guide

Size: px

Start display at page:

Download "Radiology Reference Guide"

Herbert Norris
6 years ago
Views:

1 Radiology Reference Guide Your skeleton gives your body structure and support. It is made of living bone cells, living tissues, blood vessels, mineral deposits and water. Your skeleton also protects delicate organs, stores important minerals and produces new blood cells. Your bones are connected to each other with ligaments and tendons and are moved with muscles. Places where bones meet are called joints and most of these allow movement. Although bones are very strong they often break or fracture. X-rays are often used to identify broken bones so they can be repaired. An x-ray is a picture taken of the bone on film using x-ray radiation. X-ray film is clear before being exposed to x-rays. The x-ray radiation turns the film dark. The darkest areas are where the most radiation hit the film. The whitest areas are where the most x-rays were absorbed by the body and did not hit the film. Bones absorb x-rays so they show up as white areas on the film. Sometimes a special dye called a contrast is given to the patient to make soft tissues (blood vessels, nerves, intestines, etc.) show up better. The doctor who specializes in reading x-rays and other imaging media is called a Radiologist. For the next few days YOU will be the radiologist. You will be reading x-rays and studying them carefully. You will be responsible for making the diagnosis that determines the treatment of your patient. The best thing of all is that YOU (your secretary) get to bill your patients for your services.

2 The Bones

3 The Joints

$But the doctor will order an X-ray to confirm the fracture and determine what type it is. Getting an X-ray to look at the broken bone won't take long.$ $However, a fracture through the growing part of the bone (called the growth plate) may not show up on X-ray.$

4 Different Types of Fractures A doctor might be able to tell whether a bone is broken simply by looking at the injured area. But the doctor will order an X-ray to confirm the fracture and determine what type it is. Getting an X-ray to look at the broken bone won't take long. However, a fracture through the growing part of the bone (called the growth plate) may not show up on X-ray. If this type of fracture is suspected, the doctor will treat it even if the X- ray doesn't show a break. Kids' bones are more likely to bend than break completely because they're softer. Fracture types that are more common in kids include: buckle or torus fracture: one side of the bone bends, raising a little buckle, without breaking the other side greenstick fracture: a partial fracture in which one side of the bone is broken and the other side bends (this fracture resembles what would happen if you tried to break a green stick) Mature bones are more likely to break completely. A stronger force will also result in a complete fracture of younger bones. A complete fracture may be a: closed fracture: a fracture that doesn't break the skin open (or compound) fracture: a fracture in which the ends of the broken bone break through the skin (these have an increased risk of infection and always require surgery). non-displaced fracture: a fracture in which the pieces on either side of the break line up displaced fracture: a fracture in which the pieces on either side of the break are out of line (which might require surgery to make sure the bones are properly aligned before casting) Other common fracture terms include: hairline fracture: a thin break in the bone single fracture: the bone is broken in one place segmental: the bone is broken in two or more places in the same bone. comminuted fracture: the bone is broken into more than two pieces or crushed usually requires surgery.

A shoulder dislocation occurs when the head of the humerus (upper arm bone) pops out of the shallow shoulder socket of the scapula (called the glenoid).

5 A shoulder dislocation occurs when the head of the humerus (upper arm bone) pops out of the shallow shoulder socket of the scapula (called the glenoid). This can happen when a strong force pulls the shoulder upward or outward, or from an extreme external rotation of the humerus. Dislocation can be full or partial: Partial dislocation (also called subluxation) the head of the humerus slips out of the socket momentarily and then snaps back into place Full dislocation the head of the humerus comes completely out of the socket Shoulder dislocations can also be associated with fractures one can have a fracture and dislocation at the same time. Nerves and blood vessels can sometimes be injured with a severe shoulder dislocation, requiring immediate medical attention.

Disorders of the Spine. (What about My Discs?) Discs have two parts the hard outer part called the annulus and softer jelly-like inner part called the nucleus.

There are two common Disc problems we see in our Chiropractic clinic: Bulging Discs are common problem were a weakened area of the annulus (fibrous tissue) allows the softer jelly-like nucleus of the

6 Disorders of the Spine. (What about My Discs?) Discs have two parts the hard outer part called the annulus and softer jelly-like inner part called the nucleus. Weakening or serious damage can be caused from repetitive strains like sitting for long periods of time, excessive wear and tear or from traumatic injuries. There are two common Disc problems we see in our Chiropractic clinic: Bulging Discs are common problem were a weakened area of the annulus (fibrous tissue) allows the softer jelly-like nucleus of the disc to bulge outward like a balloon. This outward bulging can put pressure on the nearby nerves. Bulging disc cases respond well to chiropractic care. A Herniated or Ruptured Disc can be more serious. These types of problems can occur anywhere in the spine but are most commonly seen in the low back. This is when part of the jelly-like nucleus pushes out of the annulus and into the spinal canal. These injuries are usually due to trauma or long-term degeneration

out of alignment with the rest of the vertebrae.

7 What is a spinal subluxation? A person with a spinal subluxation has one vertebra in the spine that is out of alignment with the rest of the vertebrae. The vertebrae are bones that makeup the spine. Spinal subluxation is usually caused by an injury to the ligaments that hold the vertebrae together.

Spondylolisthesis Spondylolisthesis occurs when one vertebra slips forward on the adjacent

This will produce both a gradual deformity of the lower spine but also a narrowing of the

Scoliosis Scoliosis is an abnormal curving of the spine. Your spine is your backbone.

8 Spondylolisthesis Spondylolisthesis occurs when one vertebra slips forward on the adjacent vertebrae. This will produce both a gradual deformity of the lower spine but also a narrowing of the vertebral canal. It is often associated with pain. Spinal fusion surgery is usually required. Scoliosis Scoliosis is an abnormal curving of the spine. Your spine is your backbone. It runs straight down your back. Everyone s spine naturally curves a tiny bit. But people with scoliosis have a spine that curves too much. The spine might look like the letter C or S.

9 Surgical Techniques for repairing broken bones Dynamic Compression Plate (metal plate and screws) K-wires (Removable pins) Repaired clavicle with hardware

10 Internal Fixation (hardware on the inside) External Fixation (hardware on the outside) Spinal Fusion

SpineFAQs. Neck Pain Diagnosis and Treatment

SpineFAQs. Neck Pain Diagnosis and Treatment SpineFAQs Neck Pain Diagnosis and Treatment Neck pain is a common reason people visit their doctor. Neck pain typically doesn't start from a single injury. Instead, the problem usually develops over time