Technology & Digital Applications Flashcards

In CT imaging, the CT dose index (CTDI) is a measure of:

Answer: Radiation dose within a specific scan length using standardized CTDI phantoms

CTDI measures the radiation dose within a standardized phantom from a single CT scan, characterizing scanner output. CTDIvol (volume CTDI) accounts for pitch and is the primary dose descriptor reported on CT consoles.

Iterative reconstruction algorithms in CT imaging provide which advantage over conventional filtered back projection (FBP)?

Answer: Improved image quality at lower radiation doses by reducing noise

Iterative reconstruction (IR) algorithms use repeated modeling of the imaging process to reduce image noise, allowing diagnostic quality images at substantially lower radiation doses compared to conventional filtered back projection.

Structured reporting in radiology improves clinical care primarily by:

Answer: Ensuring all relevant findings are consistently reported in a standardized, retrievable format

Structured reports use standardized templates and terminology (e.g., ACR reporting lexicons, Rad-LADS) ensuring consistent, complete reporting that improves communication, facilitates comparison with prior exams, and enables data extraction for quality improvement.

An artificial intelligence (AI) algorithm in radiology used as a 'second reader' for chest radiographs is intended to:

Answer: Flag potential findings for radiologist review, improving detection accuracy and efficiency

AI second-reader tools analyze radiographs for specific findings (pneumothorax, nodules, cardiomegaly) and flag abnormalities for radiologist review. They augment — not replace — radiologist interpretation, improving detection rates and workflow efficiency.

In a RIS (Radiology Information System), the scheduling and tracking function primarily helps the department by:

Answer: Coordinating patient appointments, tracking order status, and linking requisitions to completed studies

The RIS manages the administrative and clinical workflow of the radiology department: scheduling, order entry, patient tracking, transcription of reports, and results communication — integrating with the hospital information system (HIS) and PACS.

The bit depth of a digital radiographic system determines:

Answer: The number of possible gray shades (dynamic range) in the digital image

Bit depth defines how many gray levels can be represented in a digital image. A 12-bit system has 4,096 gray levels (2^12); a 14-bit system has 16,384 gray levels. Greater bit depth enables wider dynamic range and more subtle contrast differentiation.