Massachusetts Chiropractic Assistant Education and Continuing Education

• Develop and consistently use a complete search pattern for chest radiographs.
• Link the history and physical examination findings with the radiological abnormalities to arrive at a reasonable diagnosis or differential diagnosis.
• Recognize the presence of hilar enlargement.
• Know the conditions that can lead to hilar enlargement.
• Recognize the presence of mediastinal masses and know the disease that can cause mediastinal mass.
• Be able to identify diaphragmatic hernias on chest radiographs Know 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 pleural fluid.
• Recognize and describe the radiological features of pleural calcification.
• Recognize and describe the radiological features of pleural-based tumors.
• Identify the various diseases that can result in Atelectasis, Consolidation, Interstitial patterns and pleural fluid.
• Link the history and physical examination findings with the radiological abnormalities to arrive at a reasonable diagnosis or differential diagnosis.
• Know the indications for referral based on abnormal chest radiographic findings.
• Select appropriate imaging or other diagnostic procedures based on the history and physical examination.

• Execute a complete search pattern for chest radiographs.
• Recognize and identify the different patterns of chest pathology.
• Recognize the radiological features of primary lung tumors.
• Recognize various radiological features of secondary tumors of the lungs.
• Link the patient’s clinical presentation with the chest radiograph to arrive at a reasonable diagnosis or differential diagnosis.
• Make a referral based on abnormal chest radiographic findings.
• Select appropriate imaging or other diagnostic procedures based on the history and physical examination

• Identify pathology on chest radiographs 
• Recognize the radiographic signs of different chest pathologies such as Atelectasis, Consolidation, infiltrative disease, and plural disease. 
• Recognize radiological features of Pneumoconiosis and Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary diseases. 
• Differentially diagnose based on the patient clinical presentation and chest radiographic findings. 
• Make referral based on abnormal chest radiographic findings. 
• Select appropriate imaging or other diagnostic procedures based on the history and physical examination.

• Apply a complete search pattern for chest radiographs.
• Identify the various diseases that can result in Consolidation, and Interstitial/Infiltrative disease.
• Link the history and physical examination findings with the radiological abnormalities to arrive at a reasonable diagnosis or differential diagnosis.
• Recognize and describe the radiographic signs of granulomatous disease on chest radiographs.
• Recognize and describe the abnormal radiographic signs of the common Cardiovascular diseases.
• Refer based on abnormal chest radiographic findings.

• Differentiate the presenting features of Ewing’s sarcoma, chondrosarcoma, osteosarcoma and metastasis in the extremities.
• Determine the appropriate diagnostic imaging and identify the characteristic features of Ewing’s sarcoma, chondrosarcoma, osteosarcoma, and metastasis on diagnostic imaging.
• Identify the treatment options and prognosis for patients with Ewing’s sarcoma, chondrosarcoma, osteosarcoma or metastasis in the extremities.

• Determine how a torus fracture looks on plain film radiographs and how to manage the fracture
• Utilize the scoring criteria in the diagnosis and denoting the disease progression in the gout foot on plain film radiographs
• Describe the most common primary tumors that result in foot metastasis
• Explain the typical appearance of the rheumatoid foot on radiographs and how to assess and manage the condition
• Evaluate how to diagnose and appropriate treatment methods for the Lisfranc fracture-dislocation.

• Discuss the essential anatomy of the foot and ankle
• List the potential mechanisms for ankle injuries
• Identify possible fractures sites for each mechanism of injury
• Outline examples of actual clinical cases

• Discuss the pertinent anatomy of the fore, mid and rear foot
• Differentially diagnose disorders of the fore, mid and rear foot pain
• Assess examples of representative imaging cases
• Quantify and assess different imaging modalities and gauge their use in evaluating foot pain

• Discuss the pertinent anatomy of foot and ankle of adult and pediatric patient
• Take alignment measurements of the foot and ankle
• Discuss the relevance of alignment measurements to practice
• Assess imaging examples of representative cases

• Examine the appearance and use of plain film, computed tomography (CT), and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in the evaluation of bullets to the head.
• Identify Arnold-Chiari Type I malformation with magnetic resonance imaging.
• Review CT, positron emission tomography (PET), and MRI findings for cerebral bleeds.
• Evaluate stroke using different types of CT and MRI imaging.
• Discuss what to look for clinically and radiographically in cases of child abuse induced head trauma.

• 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

Hour 1

• Select the appropriate imaging modality for suspected foreign bodies
• Identify foreign bodies on radiographs
• Identify foreign bodies CT
• Identify foreign bodies MRI
• Identify foreign bodies Ultrasound

Hour 2

• List various indications for radiographic evaluation in relationship to specific clinical scenarios
• List various limitations for radiographic evaluation in relationship to specific clinical scenarios
• Identify fracture patterns on radiographic imaging
• Identify radiographic abnormalities within the soft tissues

 Hour 3

• List various indications for MRI and CT imaging evaluation in relationship to specific clinical scenarios
• List various limitations for MRI and CT imaging evaluation in relationship to specific clinical scenarios
• Identify osseous landmarks on MRI and CT imaging
• Identify abnormalities within the bones and soft tissues on MRI and CT imaging

 Hour 4

• List various indications for ultrasound imaging evaluation in relationship to specific clinical scenarios
• List various limitations for ultrasound imaging evaluation in relationship to specific clinical scenarios
• Identify osseous landmarks on ultrasound imaging
• Identify abnormalities within the bones and soft tissues on ultrasound imaging

• 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