Medical Imaging Procedures Quiz

Medical Imaging Procedures

• Radiography: A method using x-rays to create images of body parts. X-rays penetrate soft tissues but are absorbed by dense tissues like bone. Hollow organs can be viewed if filled with a radiopaque substance.
• Ultrasound: A technique employing high-frequency sound waves to create images of internal organs. It is inexpensive, portable and used in obstetrics, ER, and cardiology.
• Computed Tomography (CT): A sophisticated x-ray technique using highly-focused beams to produce cross-sectional images of the body. This results in clearer images of organs and tissues than a conventional x-ray.
• Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI): A noninvasive technique using a strong magnetic field and radio waves to create highly detailed images of soft tissues. This technique is better than CT for distinguishing soft tissues.
• Positron Emission Tomography (PET): A nuclear medicine technique using radioactive isotopes to produce images of tissues in relation to their metabolic state. This technique is used in cardiology to assess damaged heart tissue and to monitor activity levels in the brain.

Cystic Fibrosis and Chloride Channels

• Cystic fibrosis (CF) involves defective plasma membrane proteins affecting chloride ion channels. This leads to abnormal chloride ion flow across membranes and accumulation of salt within cells, causing thickened mucus in respiratory and pancreatic ducts.

Tay-Sachs Disease

• Tay-Sachs disease is an inherited lysosomal storage disorder. It results from a missing/nonfunctional enzyme; lysosomes in affected individuals lack the required enzyme to break down a particular membrane lipid. This subsequently leads to buildup of the lipid in nerve cells. The symptoms typically appear in early childhood and are progressively worsening with potential death by the age of four.

Adrenoleukodystrophy (ALD)

• ALD is a rare inherited disorder due to a missing membrane protein within peroxisomes. The protein transports an enzyme that breaks down long-chain fatty acids. The deficiency leads to buildup of very-long-chain fatty acids in the central nervous system. This prevents proper nerve cell functioning and potentially damages the adrenal glands.

MELAS and Mitochondria

• MELAS syndrome affects mitochondria resulting in reduced ATP production, brain disorders, lactic acidosis and impaired cerebral circulation. This syndrome is due to a single gene mutation in mitochondrial DNA that affects protein synthesis needed for energy production. This typically starts with stroke symptoms before the age 15 with potential progression to developmental delays, fatigue and neurological issues.

Characteristics of Cancer Cells

• Cancer cells divide rapidly and grow uncontrollably, lose contact inhibition (ability to stop growing), lose differentiation (revert to less specialized state), increase local blood vessel formation (angiogenesis), and metastasize (spread to other organs).

Stem Cells

• Stem cells are immature undifferentiated cells with self-renewal and potency. Types include totipotent (divides into any type of cell), pluripotent (develops into cells in any tissue layer), multipotent (restricted cell types), and unipotent (single cell type).

Umbilical Cord

• Umbilical cord blood contains stem cells that can treat various diseases. These cells are easy to collect and can be transferred from one individual to another.

Gangrene

• Gangrene is tissue necrosis due to lack of blood supply. Types include dry (desiccation), wet (bacterial infection), and gas (bacterial invasion, gas bubbles).

Tissue Transplantation

• Grafts involve transplanting healthy tissue to replace damaged tissue. Types include autografts (same person), syngenetics (genetically identical), allografts (different person), and xenografts (animal to human).

Tattoos

• Tattoos involve injecting dye into the dermis layer of the skin. The dye becomes permanent due to the dermis's slow cell turnover. Removal is possible but may cause scarring.

UV Radiation, Sunscreens, and Sunless Tanners

• The sun emits UVA, UVB, and UVC ultraviolet rays. Sun exposure can cause skin damage and cancer. Sunscreens filter UV rays and sunless tanners create a temporary tan via chemicals.

Acne and Acne Treatments

• Acne is characterized by plugged sebaceous ducts, typically appearing during puberty. Comedones (blackheads, whiteheads) are plugged sebaceous glands. Papules, pustules, nodules and cysts are other types of acne. Treatment options include topical medications, chemical peels and dermatologist procedures.

Burns

• Burns result from heat, radiation, chemicals or electricity causing varying degrees of injury (first-degree [superficial], second-degree [partial thickness], and third-degree [full thickness]), which in turn involve different layers of skin tissues. Treatment often involves wound care, infection control, and fluid management as well as pain management.

Psoriasis

• Psoriasis is a chronic autoimmune skin disease characterized by rapid overgrowth of skin cells, which manifests as patches of scaly skin. Itching, pain and cracking may result and treatments often include topical steroids and ultraviolet light therapy.

Test your knowledge on various medical imaging techniques including radiography, ultrasound, computed tomography, MRI, and PET. This quiz assesses your understanding of how these methods work and their applications in medical practice.