Back to Basics: Radiography of the Upper Extremities

Back to Basics: Radiography of the Upper Extremities is organized by eRADIMAGING.

Release Date: 11/29/2021
Expiration Date: 12/1/2027

Course Description:
Conventional radiography remains the imaging modality of choice for most applications in the upper extremity. The most common indication for radiographs of the upper extremity is acute trauma. The shoulder, humerus, elbow, forearm, wrist, and hand are common radiographic series that are useful in diagnosing an acute fracture, dislocation, or other traumatic injuries a patient may sustain to the upper body. Evaluating other bony pathologies in the upper extremity is also most frequently performed with radiography as the initial evaluation and diagnostic modality. Other imaging modalities such as computed tomography, sonography, and magnetic resonance imaging play an important supplementary role in helping to diagnose patients with soft tissue injuries. It is important that the radiographer understand all the components of the imaging chain that lead to the production of high-quality diagnostic radiographs. This course will provide detailed reviews of the anatomy and bones of the upper body including ideal patient positioning for both standard and nonstandard projections of the fingers (digits and thumb), the hand (metacarpals), the wrist, the forearm, the elbow joint, the humerus, the shoulder, the glenohumeral joint, the scapula, the clavicle, and the acromioclavicular joint. The imaging chain consisting of radiographic exposure factors, proper use of digital capture devices, accessory items, and radiation safety practices will also be addressed.

Learning Objectives:
After completing this course, the participant should be able to:

• RECALL the skeletal anatomy of the bones and joints that make up the upper extremities.
• IDENTIFY the common types of fractures that may affect the bones of the upper extremities.
• RESTATE the imaging parameters that make up a digital radiography suite for performing upper extremity radiography.
• SUMMARIZE the various types of digital radiographic technologies including direct and nondirect digital radiography as well as computed radiography.
• RECALL the technical settings and parameters that are critical for performing upper extremity bone radiography.
• DIFFERENTIATE conventional versus virtual grids and their applications in digital upper extremity radiographic studies.
• SUMMARIZE the clinical and patient considerations when performing upper extremity bone radiography.
• EXPLAIN both the terminology and proper radiographic positioning concepts essential for upper extremity radiography.
• OUTLINE the various common and uncommon positioning projections that make up an upper extremity bone radiographic protocol.