Diagnostic Imaging Flashcards
7 cards from real VTNE practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 7 Diagnostic Imaging flashcards as text
Which radiographic view is best for evaluating intervertebral disc disease in the thoracolumbar spine of a dog?
Answer: Lateral recumbent
The lateral recumbent view provides the best visualization of intervertebral disc spaces and any narrowing or mineralization in the thoracolumbar spine.
What is the primary advantage of using ultrasound over radiography when evaluating a splenic mass in a dog?
Answer: Better soft tissue differentiation and vascularity assessment
Ultrasound provides superior soft tissue contrast and allows Doppler assessment of blood flow, helping distinguish cystic from solid masses and evaluate vascularity.
A radiograph shows a 'ground glass' opacity diffusely throughout the lung fields of a cat. This pattern is most consistent with which condition?
Answer: Pulmonary edema or early consolidation
A diffuse ground glass opacity indicates partial alveolar filling, most commonly seen with pulmonary edema, hemorrhage, or early infectious consolidation.
When positioning a patient for a VD (ventrodorsal) thoracic radiograph, where should the forelimbs be positioned?
Answer: Extended cranially, pulled away from the thorax
Forelimbs should be extended cranially and pulled away from the thorax to prevent muscle superimposition over the lung fields.
On a lateral abdominal radiograph, the spleen is most commonly visualized in which location?
Answer: Cranial left abdomen, caudal to the stomach
The spleen typically lies in the cranial left abdomen, immediately caudal to the gastric fundus, and appears as a triangular soft tissue opacity.
What is the purpose of using a grid during radiographic exposure?
Answer: To reduce scatter radiation reaching the image receptor
A grid absorbs scatter radiation produced within the patient, improving image contrast and reducing fog on the final radiograph.
In ultrasound terminology, a structure that appears brighter (whiter) than surrounding tissue is described as:
Answer: Hyperechoic
Hyperechoic structures reflect more sound waves back to the transducer, appearing brighter white relative to surrounding tissue on the ultrasound image.