Neuroimaging Methods

Which imaging method is often used as a follow-up to other scans?

• CT

• PET-MRI

• MRI

• PET-CT

Answer explanation

PET scans are often a follow-up to MRI and CT scans, with

PET-MRI and PET-CT scans for this specific purpose.

Which imaging method uses radioactive tracers?

• CT

• PET

• None! That would be particle-arly dangerous

• MRI

Answer explanation

PET scans use a special dye that contains radioactive tracers to identify how well your organs and other tissue inside your body are functioning.

Which two brain scans would most commonly be used to help diagnose a patient with suspected dementia?

• CT

• PET

• MRI

• All three

Answer explanation

CT scans are useful for ruling out other conditions that cause similar symptoms to dementia and for showing changes to brain structure that occur in diseases like dementia. MRI scans rule out physical abnormalities that could be causing these issues apart from standard dementia.

Which imaging method is most likely to be used to diagnose a brain tumor?

• MRI

• CT

• PET

• Imaging methods aren't used and only biopsies are

Answer explanation

An MRI produces clear images of soft tissues and blood vessels, so it's helpful for diagnosing a brain tumor. A biopsy could later determine the type of brain tumor. (CT scans can provide more detailed images of the bone structures near a tumor.)

Which scan uses X-ray technology?

• CT

• EEG

• MRI

• PET

Answer explanation

CT scans use X-ray technology and advanced computer analysis to create detailed pictures of the body.

Gallium scans are most similar to which imaging method discussed in the slides?

• What's a gallium scan?

• PET

• MRI

• CT

Answer explanation

Gallium scans are similar to PET scans since they involve the injection of gallium citrate, a radioactive tracer.

Which of the three scans is best for the differentiation of soft tissue?

• PET

• CT

• All of them

• MRI

Answer explanation

MRIs can create better pictures of organs and soft tissues.

PET scans can be used to assess which of the following (multiple answers)?

• Cancer

• Alzheimer's disease

• Strained muscles

• Seizures

Which take longer: CT or MRI scans

• CT

• MRI

Answer explanation

A typical CT scan lasts 10 minutes whereas MRIs can take up to an hour or longer.

Between MRI and CT scans, which is best at spatial resolution (showing where the edges of structures are)?

• MRI

• CT