Rad Tech CE, ASRT, ARRT® CE, Category A Credits | Radiology Continuing Education

Approvals/Requirements Satisfied by eRADIMAGING Courses

  • ASRT approval for ARRT Category A credit
  • All Courses eligible of international radiographers' CPD requirements
  • ASRT and MDCB are approved continuing education providers of ARRT and all courses are accepted by ARRT
  • California CE requirements met for all radiography courses
  • NMTCB accepted (All Courses)
  • All Courses available for RRAs
  • ARMRIT accepted (All MRI Courses)
  • MDCB approval by the Medical Dosimetrist Certification (Selected Courses)
  • Florida approval for all courses 1 credit or more
  • ARDMS accepted (All Courses)
  • CAMRT and Sonography Canada recognize the ASRT approval (All Courses)
  • Approval: This course is approved by ASRT - an approved continuing education provider of ARRT.
  • Release Date: 6/17/2022
  • Expiration Date: 7/1/2025
  • Credit Hours: 1.5 Credits
  • Course Description and objectives:

    Course Description
    Rheumatologists manage patients with rheumatic diseases, which encompass a wide range of musculoskeletal pathologies. Rheumatic diseases include connective tissue diseases (eg, systemic lupus erythematosus, rheumatoid arthritis [RA], scleroderma, dermatomyositis/polymyositis, Sjögren syndrome, and mixed connective tissue disease), spondyloarthropathies (eg, ankylosing spondylitis, reactive arthritis, psoriatic arthritis), degenerative arthritis, metabolic disorders (eg, gout, pseudogout, other forms of crystal-induced arthritis), septic arthritis, and other diseases that affect the joints, bone, cartilage, tendons, and ligaments. Routine clinical evaluations that consist of a thorough history and physical examination, laboratory testing, and digital radiography can often establish the presence of arthritis. However, it can sometimes be challenging to differentiate between inflammatory and degenerative causes, especially when clinical signs are sparse and serology tests are negative. Without clarification of the exact location of the pathologies and the degree of inflammation, rheumatologists may inadvertently assess patients incorrectly, leading to inappropriate patient care.

    Sonography is a cost-effective, readily available, noninvasive imaging technology used in the evaluation of the musculoskeletal system. Musculoskeletal ultrasound (MSUS) allows clinicians to visualize multiple anatomic regions in real-time and allow side-by-side comparisons with other imaging studies. In addition, MSUS facilitates the evaluation of several joints simultaneously, including functional assessments, as well as visualizing pathophysiological changes such as synovitis, tenosynovitis, bone erosions, and crystal deposits, which makes it an effective way to identify and differentiate the most common types of inflammatory arthritis. The use of sonography in a rheumatology practice also can also guide local procedures, which may include synovial fluid aspiration, therapeutic injections, nerve blocks, or soft-tissue biopsies. In order for sonographers to provide the highest quality images to clinicians and referring physicians, it is essential that the nuances of MSUS are mastered and understood. This textbook chapter will review the evidence for the application of MSUS in rheumatology and describes its role in diagnosis, monitoring, and prognosis of patients with various musculoskeletal diseases and disorders. Sonographic features of many musculoskeletal pathologies on screen are described and information for performing successful studies when imaging for suspected conditions or diseases will be presented.

    Learning Objectives
    After reading the content, the participant should be able to:

    • OUTLINE the benefits and roles of musculoskeletal ultrasound (MSUS) in rheumatology.
    • RESTATE the principles and techniques of an ultrasound examination performed in rheumatology.
    • EXPLAIN the European Alliance of Associations for Rheumatology (EULAR) recommendations for the use of imaging in diagnosing and managing rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, psoriatic arthritis, and spondylarthritis.
    • SUMMARIZE the Outcome Measures in Rheumatoid Arthritis Clinical Trials (OMERACT) definitions of ultrasound pathology.
    • EXPLAIN various ultrasound-guided procedures used in rheumatology, including synovial fluid aspirations, therapeutic injections, peripheral nerve blocks, and soft tissue biopsies.
    • OUTLINE the role of ultrasound in diagnosing gout, scleroderma, Sjögren's syndrome, and large vessel vasculitis.

     

    Category: Ultrasound/Sonography

  • CE Information:

    Submit the completed answers to determine if you have passed the post-test assessment. You must answer 17 out of 22 questions correctly to receive the CE credit. You will have no more than 3 attempts to successfully complete the post-test.

    Participants successfully completing the activity content and passing the post-test will receive 1.5 ARRT Category A credits.

    Approved by the American Society of Radiologic Technologists for ARRT Category A credit.

    Approved by the state of Florida for ARRT Category A credit.

    Texas direct credit.

    This activity may be available in multiple formats or from different sponsors. ARRT does not allow CE activities such as Internet courses, home study programs, or directed readings to be repeated for CE credit in the same biennium.

  • Structured Education Credit Valuations:

    CategoryContent AreaCredits
    Radiologist AssistantProcedures1.5
    SonographyProcedures1.5

  • CQR Credit Valuations:

    CategorySubcategoryCredits
    Radiologist AssistantMusculoskeletal and Endocrine Sections1.5
    SonographySuperficial Structures and Other Sonographic Procedures1.5


Musculoskeletal and Nerve Ultrasonography (Textbook Chapter)

By Stefan Cristian Dinescu, Razvan Adrian Ionescu, Horatiu Valeriu Popoviciu, Claudiu Avram, and Florentin Ananu Vreju

ABSTRACT

Rheumatologists manage patients with rheumatic diseases, which encompass a wide range of musculoskeletal pathologies. Rheumatic diseases include connective tissue diseases (eg, systemic lupus erythematosus, rheumatoid arthritis [RA], scleroderma, dermatomyositis/polymyositis, Sjögren syndrome, and mixed connective tissue disease), spondyloarthropathies (eg, ankylosing spondylitis, reactive arthritis, psoriatic arthritis), degenerative arthritis, metabolic disorders (eg, gout, pseudogout, other forms of crystal-induced arthritis), septic arthritis, and other diseases that affect the joints, bone, cartilage, tendons, and ligaments. Routine clinical evaluations that consist of a thorough history and physical examination, laboratory testing, and digital radiography can often establish the presence of arthritis. However, it can sometimes be challenging to differentiate between inflammatory and degenerative causes, especially when clinical signs are sparse and serology tests are negative. Without clarification of the exact location of the pathologies and the degree of inflammation, rheumatologists may inadvertently assess patients incorrectly, leading to inappropriate patient care.

Sonography is a cost-effective, readily available, noninvasive imaging technology used in the evaluation of the musculoskeletal system. Musculoskeletal ultrasound (MSUS) allows clinicians to visualize multiple anatomic regions in real-time and allow side-by-side comparisons with other imaging studies. In addition, MSUS facilitates the evaluation of several joints simultaneously, including functional assessments, as well as visualizing pathophysiological changes such as synovitis, tenosynovitis, bone erosions, and crystal deposits, which makes it an effective way to identify and differentiate the most common types of inflammatory arthritis. The use of sonography in a rheumatology practice also can also guide local procedures, which may include synovial fluid aspiration, therapeutic injections, nerve blocks, or soft-tissue biopsies. In order for sonographers to provide the highest quality images to clinicians and referring physicians, it is essential that the nuances of MSUS are mastered and understood. This textbook chapter will review the evidence for the application of MSUS in rheumatology and describes its role in diagnosis, monitoring, and prognosis of patients with various musculoskeletal diseases and disorders. Sonographic features of many musculoskeletal pathologies on screen are described and information for performing successful studies when imaging for suspected conditions or diseases will be presented.

View the full content

Sample eRADIMAGING Course *

* This sample course is for reference purposes only. It is not currently available for earning CE credits. To earn ARRT CE credits please subscribe to eRADIMAGING where you will see a complete listing of all active and eligible CE courses.

Become a member

Satisfy your CE requirements today!

Join now

We offer special group rates, call or email.

984.227.8560

support@eradimaging.com

Newsletter

Enter your email address to receive our new course alerts.