Computed Tomography Test Computed Tomography Knowledge Questions and An 5

Question 1

Which CT finding is most characteristic of acute appendicitis?

Accepted Answer

Appendix diameter >6 mm with periappendiceal fat stranding and wall enhancement

Answer

Acute appendicitis classically appears as an inflamed, dilated appendix (>6 mm) with periappendiceal fat stranding and wall hyperenhancement on CT.

Question 2

What is the purpose of using a higher kVp setting when scanning a bariatric patient?

Accepted Answer

To increase penetrating power of the X-ray beam through greater tissue thickness

Answer

Higher kVp produces more energetic photons with greater penetrating ability, reducing photon starvation and noise when imaging larger patients with greater tissue attenuation.

Question 3

On a CT abdomen, a lesion measures -120 HU. What does this attenuation value suggest?

Accepted Answer

Fat-containing lesion (lipoma or angiomyolipoma)

Answer

Fat has a characteristic negative attenuation of approximately -50 to -150 HU, so a value of -120 HU strongly indicates a fat-containing lesion.

Question 4

What is the function of the CT gantry?

Accepted Answer

Contains the rotating X-ray tube and detector array that surrounds the patient

Answer

The gantry is the large ring-shaped housing that contains the X-ray tube and detector array, which rotate around the patient during data acquisition.

Question 5

Which condition is best diagnosed using CT pulmonary angiography (CTPA)?

Accepted Answer

Pulmonary embolism

Answer

CTPA is the gold standard for diagnosing pulmonary embolism, demonstrating filling defects within pulmonary arteries during the pulmonary arterial phase.

Computed Tomography Test Practice Test

Computed Tomography Test Practice Test

Computed Tomography Test Computed Tomography Knowledge Questions and An 5