Oregon Chiropractic Assistant Education and Continuing Education

• Identify imaging modalities used for head and neck imaging
• List imaging modalities available for neuro imaging
• Contrast and compare CT and MRI in brain imaging
• Indicate conditions suitable for advanced imaging
• Use advanced imaging to justify treatment and referral

• Develop and consistently use a complete search pattern for abdominal radiographs.
• Link the history and physical examination findings with the radiological abnormalities to arrive at a reasonable diagnosis or differential diagnosis.
• Identify the various soft tissue calcifications within the abdomen and state their clinical relevance.
• Know the indications for referral based on abnormal abdominal radiographic findings.
• Select appropriate imaging or other diagnostic procedures based on the history and physical examination.

Hour One:

• Identify normal/abnormal anatomical structures i.e.: osseous anatomy of the cervical spine
• Identify, analyze and interpret the importance of an increase ADI
• Identify normal/abnormal anatomical soft tissue structures (i.e.: calcifications of carotid/vertebral arteries and thyroid cartilage) of the cervical spine
• Recognize the importance of specific laboratory and diagnostic studies to aid in the differential diagnosis of common radiographic findings to rule out most often seen musculoskeletal disorders of the cervical spine

Hour Two:

• Identify normal/abnormal anatomical structures i.e.: osseous anatomy of the thoracic spine
• Identify normal/abnormal anatomical soft tissue structures (costal cartilage calcifications, trachea and bronchial air shadows, heart, diaphragm, hilar region, aortic knob etc.)
• Recognize the importance of specific diagnostic studies to aid in the differential diagnosis of common radiographic findings to rule out most often seen musculoskeletal disorders of the thoracic spine

Hour Three

• Identify normal/abnormal anatomical structures i.e.: osseous anatomy of the lumbar spine and pelvis
• Identify normal/abnormal anatomical soft tissue structures i.e.: vascular calcifications like abdominal aortic aneurysm, mesenteric lymph nodes etc
• Recognize the importance of specific laboratory and diagnostic studies to aid in the differential diagnosis of common radiographic findings to rule out most often seen musculoskeletal disorders of the lumbar, lumbosacral spine and sacroiliac joints

• Systematically identify features of degenerative conditions of the spine.
• Identify and correlate x-ray findings with gross anatomy
• Distinguish types of degenerative changes of the spine
• Review gross anatomy of the spine

• Analyze the risk factors and causes of the distal radius fracture in teenagers.
• Utilize diagnostic imaging to assess the adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS).
• Describe the risk factors leading to a poor outcome for patients with osteosarcoma.
• Evaluate the various ways Ewing sarcoma presents on x-ray.
• Differentiate ganglioneuroma from other neurogenic tumors.

• Develop and consistently use a complete search pattern for chest radiographs. 
• Recognize and describe the radiological features of a normal lung. 
• Recognize and describe the radiological features of pathology on chest radiographs 
• Link the history and physical examination findings with the radiological abnormalities to arrive at a reasonable diagnosis or differential diagnosis. 
• Discuss the indications for referral based on abnormal chest radiographic findings. 
• Select appropriate imaging or other diagnostic procedures based on the history and physical examination

• Develop and consistently use a complete search pattern for chest radiographs. 
• Recognize and describe the radiological features of a normal lung. 
• Recognize and describe the radiological features of pathology on chest radiographs 
• Compare, contrast and describe the radiographic signs of Atelectasis and Consolidation of the lungs.
• Recognize and describe the radiological features of Interstitial disease (Infiltrative disease) of the lungs.
• Identify the various diseases that can result in Atelectasis, Consolidation, Interstitial patterns
• Link the history and physical examination findings with the radiological abnormalities to arrive at a reasonable diagnosis or differential diagnosis. 
• Discuss the indications for referral based on abnormal chest radiographic findings. 
• Select appropriate imaging or other diagnostic procedures based on the history and physical examination

• Develop and consistently use a complete search pattern for chest radiographs.
• Recognize and describe the radiological features of Interstitial disease (Infiltrative disease) of the lungs.
• Identify the various diseases that can result in Atelectasis, Consolidation, Interstitial patterns.
• Link the history and physical examination findings with the radiological abnormalities to arrive at a reasonable diagnosis or differential diagnosis.
• Discuss the indications for referral based on abnormal chest  radiographic findings.Select appropriate imaging or other diagnostic procedures based on the history and physical examination.

• Evaluate hand chondrosarcoma by identifying the following: diagnostic imaging features and treatment options.
• Differentiate erosive osteoarthritis from other hand osteoarthritis cases and determine how to assess and treat them.
• Identify the appearance on radiographs and treatment of the various finger dislocations.
• Discuss how diagnostic imaging can help identify disease progression and symptoms in patients suffering from rheumatoid arthritis in the hand.
• Explain the most likely hand injuries in the child and athlete and the treatment options for each.

• Discuss the pertinent anatomy of the forearm, wrist and hand
• Differentially diagnose disorders of each location of the wrist
• Assess imaging findings of representative cases in the list of differential diagnosis
• Quantify and access different imaging modalities and gauge their use in evaluating wrist pain

• Discuss the pertinent anatomy of the forearm, wrist and hand
• Differentially diagnose disorders of each location of the wrist
• Assess imaging findings of representative cases in the list of differential diagnosis
• Quantify and access different imaging modalities and gauge their use in evaluating wrist pain

• Conduct and evidence-based assessment of the diagnostic, therapeutic and clinical utility of routine and repeat radiographs (without red flags) for the structural and functional assessment of the spine by chiropractors
• Summarize the current evidence for the use of spinal x-rays within chiropractic practice, with consideration to the related risks and benefits
• Determine if diagnostic imaging influences clinical outcomes in patients with low back pain presenting for chiropractic care
• Analyze whether an association between vertebral endplate structural defects and back pain exists
• Assess the relationship between movement-related pain in the shoulder and the number or severity of rotator cuff MRI findings

• Discuss meniscus anatomy with emphasis on collagen network.
• Identify how collagen network can predict the type of tear and imaging manifestations.
• State how root ligaments are involved in injury, pain and OA.
• Correlate certain types of meniscal dysfunction to clinical presentation

• Recite statistics relative to bone lesions.
• Utilize the global approach to recognizing bone lesions.
• Recognize parameters of classifying bone lesions.
• Discuss examples of different classes of bone lesions.

Hour 1

• Identify the radiographic features which aid in lesion recognition, to distinguish between benign or aggressive skeletal neoplasia.
• Expand overall radiographic interpretation skills with respect to diagnosis of benign skeletal neoplasia.
• Assess a variety of benign skeletal neoplasia for clinical significance, by reviewing which ones are merely incidental findings.
• Recognizing those benign conditions which possess malignant potential, by gaining familiarity with the clinical and radiographic changes that suggest malignant degeneration.
• Apply improved patient management when patients present with these conditions.

• Understand how x-rays are produced
• Prepare a patient to have an x-ray examination
• Recognize basic x-ray terminology
• Recall patient positioning and x-ray projection terms
• Recognize new advances in the radiology field
• Visualize the basic positioning of the views discussed
• Identify x-ray machine components
• Describe particular views that make up an x-ray series
• Recall general anatomy that will be seen on a certain view
• Discuss the x-ray technique of the views described

• Demonstrate the basics of a radiographic shoulder series
• Understand the positioning of the elbow joint
• Recognize possible wrist injuries based on patient history
• Recall positioning of hand, fingers and thumb radiographs
• Summarize chest x-ray basics
• Identify the views in a hip series
• Demonstrate the positioning of the knee joint in a radiographic series
• Understand the basics of ankle x-rays and injuries
• Recall the positioning for x-rays of the foot and toes
• Summarize the general anatomy of the lower extremities

• Discuss safety measurements when taking x-rays
• Review mistakes to Avoid when Taking Radiographs
• Outline tips for Taking Optimal Radiographs
• Discuss proper darkroom technique
• Address safety measurements