MSK Imaging

Description #

This lecture begins by defining MSK radiology and providing an overview of MSK imagining modalities, including plain film radiology, CT scans, MRIs, bone scans (nuclear medicine), ultrasound and bone densitometry. The lecture then moves to approaches to fractures and arthritis and types of fractures of arthritis, then osteoporosis, the evaluation of bone radiographs, and describing fractures and fracture patterns. Next we will look at soft tissue injuries and approaches to abnormal joint radiography, including types of joints, and then consider osteoarthritis and erosive osteoarthritis. We consider rheumatoid arthritis and its associated complications, reactive arthritis (Reiter’s), Ankylosing Spondylitis, psoriatic arthritis, SLE, scleroderma and gout.

Learning Objectives #

1. Be familiar with the role of diagnostic imaging in the following clinical conditions:
Fractures/Dislocations: Select skeletal elements to be included in the diagnostic imaging
required, special views. List circumstances requiring additional diagnostic imaging such
as computerised tomography, imaging of opposite side for comparison, bone scan, MRI.
Pain in Extremities: List appropriate radiographic investigations such as MRI, Doppler
ultrasound and angiography.
Pain in Spine, Neck, Thorax: State that imaging (CT, MRI, gallium scan) may
demonstrate significant lesions in asymptomatic patents. Select diagnostic imaging when indicated (trauma, > 50 years, radiculopathy, fail conservative care).
2. Identify normal bony anatomical structures on plain film and CT of the musculoskeletal system.
3. Be able to recognize common traumatic findings on plain films including these fracture types: appendicular skeleton, spinal fractures, dislocations, small tissue injuries.
4. Recognize findings on plain films that warrant emergency management:
• septic joints, fracture with extension into a joint, elbow joint effusion, radial head fracture, shoulder dislocation, abnormalities of the c-spine.