Course Description
Lung cancer is a common disease with approximately 3 million newly diagnosed patients worldwide, and it is the leading cause of cancer-related deaths in many countries. Approximately 80% of patients are diagnosed with nonsmall-cell lung cancer (NSCLC), and 20% are diagnosed with small-cell-lung cancer. Throughout the course of diagnosis and treatment, patients may undergo multiple imaging studies depending on their cancer type and treatment course. For patients diagnosed with NSCLC, the use of computed tomography (CT), positron emission tomography (PET), and a combination of both (PET-CT) are commonly used. As a result, it is imperative that radiologic technologists (RTs) are educated about the roles each modality plays in the diagnosis and treatment of this patient population. This textbook chapter CE course will discuss and focus on patients with NSCLC, how patients with this type of lung cancer are evaluated, tumor assessment, and tumor staging. This course will also examine lung nodule staging and the role that CT, PET, and PET-CT play in determining nodule size, chest wall invasion, lymph nodule involvement, and metastatic spread. Noninvasive imaging modalities that are used to evaluate patients with solitary pulmonary modules are also discussed. CT, PET, and PET-CT, their advantages and disadvantages in the assessment, staging and restaging, tumor recurrence, and radiation therapy planning will be closely examined. Advances in integrated PET/CT-fusion of data sets and their promising future in diagnostic imaging and staging will also be covered.
Learning Objectives
- 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 17 out of 22 questions correctly to receive 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 1.25 ARRT Category A credits.
- This program is approved by AHRA, a Recognized Continuing Education Evaluation Mechanism (RCEEM), approved by the ARRT to grant Category A CE 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.
Course Curriculum
Your Instructors
Scanalotcourse
About Osteoarthritis
Osteoarthritis (OA) is a progressive musculoskeletal disease that affects over 240 million people worldwide with the hip and knee joints most often involved due to their weight-bearing roles. This disease is characterized by articular cartilage degeneration and bone remodeling which can lead to joint pain, stiffness, and reduced mobility. Digital radiography (DR) is the primary imaging modality for patients with OA due to its accessibility, low cost, and ability to reveal key features such as joint space narrowing, subchondral sclerosis, and osteophyte formation. Digital radiography is also used to stage OA, monitor disease progression, and guide treatment planning. Radiologic technologists (RTs) play a central role in OA assessment by performing standard hip and knee imaging studies while accommodating a patient's OA-related pain and mobility challenges when needed. This course begins with an overview of hip and knee joint anatomy and the pathophysiology, epidemiology, and clinical presentation of OA. Learners will explore the strengths and limitations of DR, patient care strategies, recommended radiographic projections, and image evaluation criteria. This course concludes with a review of radiographic signs of OA, common grading systems, and DR's role in managing patients with OA. Upon completion of this course, RTs will be equipped with the knowledge and skills to safely and accurately produce high-quality hip and knee images for OA assessment.