Course Description
By 2040, it is predicted there will be 80 million adults over the age of 65 in the United States, and with advanced age comes the higher probability of being at risk for or being diagnosed with osteoporosis (OP). This statistic coupled with the underestimation of this disease process in men, as well as the effect of certain cancer drugs, likely lead to an exponential increase in the number of older patients developing OP or osteopenia. OP is becoming an increasingly concerning public health issue, but effective interventions and treatments for fragility fractures are now available. Digital radiographic techniques allow clinicians to visualize bone structure. Unfortunately, they do not offer information about bone mineral density (BMD), which can facilitate early diagnosis and treatment of patients with OP. In contrast, bone densitometry helps detect bone mineral loss at an early stage, because it provides accurate quantitative measurement of BMD. Dual X-ray absorptiometry is generally considered to be the gold standard in the assessment of patients' BMD to determine the risk of fracture and monitor treatment effectiveness. Other imaging and quantitative techniques used to analyze bone quality include quantitative computed tomography (QCT), high-resolution peripheral QCT, magnetic resonance imaging, and quantitative ultrasonography. This course will cover current techniques to measure BMD, describe novel techniques to study bone quality, and focus on how standard imaging techniques should be used to establish BMD values for initial treatment and follow-up.
Learning Objectives
After completing this course, the participant should be able to:
Categories: Bone Density/DEXA, Sonography/Ultrasound, CT, MRI
In order to receive CE credit, you must first complete the activity content. When completed, go to the "Take CE Test!" link to access the post-test.
Submit the completed answers to determine if you have passed the post-test assessment. You must answer 24 out of 32 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 3.5 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.
Category | Content Area | Credits |
---|---|---|
Bone Densitometry | Image Production | 0.75 |
Bone Densitometry | Patient Care | 1 |
Bone Densitometry | Procedures | 0.5 |
Computed Tomography | Image Production | 0.5 |
Computed Tomography | Procedures | 0.5 |
Magnetic Resonance | Image Production | 0.25 |
Magnetic Resonance | Procedures | 0.5 |
Radiography | Procedures | 1 |
Radiologist Assistant | Procedures | 1.5 |
Sonography | Image Production | 0.25 |
Category | Subcategory | Credits |
---|---|---|
Bone Densitometry | DXA Scanning | 0.5 |
Bone Densitometry | Equipment Operation and Quality Control | 0.75 |
Bone Densitometry | Patient Bone Health, Care, and Radiation Principles | 1 |
Computed Tomography | Head, Spine and Musculoskeletal | 0.5 |
Computed Tomography | Image Formation | 0.5 |
Magnetic Resonance | Data Acquisition, Processing, and Storage | 0.25 |
Magnetic Resonance | Musculoskeletal | 0.25 |
Magnetic Resonance | Neurological | 0.25 |
Radiography | Extremity Procedures | 0.5 |
Radiography | Head, Spine and Pelvis Procedures | 0.5 |
Radiologist Assistant | Musculoskeletal and Endocrine Sections | 1.5 |
Sonography | Basic Principles of Ultrasound | 0.25 |
Category | Credits |
---|---|
Digital | 0 |
Fluoroscopy | 0 |
Mammography | 0 |
George Tsoukatos, BPS, R.T.(R)(ARRT)®
*Medical Imaging Consultant, Germantown, NY
Address correspondence to: George Tsoukatos, BPS, R.T.(R)(ARRT)®, Radiology Support Services, PO Box 215, Germantown, NY 12526. Email: radiologytechnique@gmail.com.
Disclosure statement: George Tsoukatos reports having no significant financial or advisory relationships with corporate organizations related to this activity.
ABSTRACT
By 2040, it is predicted there will be 80 million adults over the age of 65 in the United States, and with advanced age comes the higher probability of being at risk for or being diagnosed with osteoporosis (OP). This statistic coupled with the underestimation of this disease process in men, as well as the effect of certain cancer drugs, likely lead to an exponential increase in the number of older patients developing OP or osteopenia. OP is becoming an increasingly concerning public health issue, but effective interventions and treatments for fragility fractures are now available. Digital radiographic techniques allow clinicians to visualize bone structure. Unfortunately, they do not offer information about bone mineral density (BMD), which can facilitate early diagnosis and treatment of patients with OP. In contrast, bone densitometry helps detect bone mineral loss at an early stage, because it provides accurate quantitative measurement of BMD. Dual X-ray absorptiometry is generally considered to be the gold standard in the assessment of patients' BMD to determine the risk of fracture and monitor treatment effectiveness. Other imaging and quantitative techniques used to analyze bone quality include quantitative computed tomography (QCT), high-resolution peripheral QCT, magnetic resonance imaging, and quantitative ultrasonography. This course will cover current techniques to measure BMD, describe novel techniques to study bone quality, and focus on how standard imaging techniques should be used to establish BMD values for initial treatment and follow-up. This course will also review basic imaging concepts and terminology for each modality discussed and review the anatomic structures and bones that are typically imaged when evaluating a patient for OP.
(Editor's Note: Some states do not require RTs with certification sub-credentials in bone densitometry to operate DXA imaging systems. Anyone responsible for performing DXA scans will be referred to as DXA system operators, or DXA operators, in this course, even though RTs are performing DXA examinations in most states.)
* 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.
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