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Musculoskeletal Research and Basic Science pp 109–138Cite as

The Radiographic Evaluation of the Musculoskeletal System and Spine

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Abstract

Bone and calcified tissues are less permeable to x-rays. They absorb much more of the beam and appear radiopaque (white) on radiographs. Tissues like lung and fat are more permeable, so they absorb less x-ray resulting in a radiolucent (black) view on radiographs. Soft tissues generally appear as gray. Bones are very dense and attenuate a great deal of the x-ray beams. The cortex, which consists of compact bone, appears more opaque; however, the medulla, which consists of trabecular bone, appears less opaque. Dose of radiographs depends on anatomic region, thickness of subcutaneous tissue, and age. Information of age, sex, occupation, and clinical findings of the patient helps us during making a diagnosis. While evaluating the patients, we should obtain at least two plane views. At a trauma case, proximal and distal joints of injured bone should be visualized. Anatomic location and extension of the fracture line and soft tissue swelling should be evaluated. Fracture line should be made differential diagnosis from trace of nutrition artery. At pediatric population, bilateral radiographies should be obtained because of the open growth plates. Localization of the lesion should be evaluated, that is, focal or diffuse, solitary or multiple. Periosteal reaction or bony destruction should be noted. Also morphologic anomalies of bone should be carefully evaluated. While history and physical findings of patient are correlated with radiographic lesions, exact diagnosis is tried to achieve.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Orthopedics and Traumatology, Gulhane Military Medical Faculty, Etlik, 06018, Ankara, Turkey

    Kenan Koca

  2. Ortopedi ve Travmatoloji Anabilim Dalı, Gülhane Askeri Tıp Akademisi ve Askeri Tıp Fakültesi, Etlik, Ankara, 06018, Turkey

    Kenan Koca

  3. Department of Radiology, Ankara Military Hospital, Etlik, Ankara, 06018, Turkey

    Samet Verim

Authors
  1. Kenan Koca
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  2. Samet Verim
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Correspondence to Kenan Koca .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Sports Medicine, Hacettepe University Medical Faculty, Ankara, Turkey

    Feza Korkusuz

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Koca, K., Verim, S. (2016). The Radiographic Evaluation of the Musculoskeletal System and Spine. In: Korkusuz, F. (eds) Musculoskeletal Research and Basic Science. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-20777-3_7

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-20777-3_7

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Cham

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-319-20776-6

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-319-20777-3

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