Reading X-rays

[meekless2001]

Hi all

Just wondering have you guys in your training or experience learnt any basics of reading X rays, CT scans etc?
I realise that we are MT's not radiologists, but I find it helpful if clients bring in any X-rays on their first visit so I get a clearer picture of what's going on. I usually have more luck deciphering the attached review so I'm glad I have learnt a fair bit of medical terminology.

Any experiences with X rays please share.

Thanks
Oz

 

[Holly T]

When I was in school our Pathology teacher was a DC and would bring in Xrays of patients that had extreme cases. It was a very usefull teaching aid for me because you could literally see where and what was going on with the structure in regards to the specific condition. Later on when looking at mine, my husband's and my son's Xrays I could completely understand what was going on in regards to thier conditions. Doesn't make me a techie I know, but I found it to be quite interesting none the less.

 

[Breezy Weezy]

Hi! Neat question Sure, gladly!

We've taken two diagnostic imaging classes so far. The first taught us the basics, the history of and the physics principles behind radiology. We learned some basic terminology and concepts, such as settings and whatnot, since we will be shooting films at a later date. While the heaviest emphasis was put on plain film x-rays, we were also introduced to other types of imaging, such as the different types of MRI, CT, bone scan, etc. The second class, Normal Radiographic Anatomy or NRad, taught us much more about what normal anatomy looks like, some normal variances, line drawings called "lines of mensuration", and some abnormal findings, bordering on pathology. Kinda neat

To get a feel for what we're looking at when clients bring us their films, the key is practice, practice, practice. Look at as many different films as you possibly can! There are some websites that can help us with this, and some of them also point out what we're looking at so it's not one big messy mystery

Here are some neat sites I found when studying for my own lab practical exams, and some of them really helped:
http://www.e-radiography.net/ (check the "Radiology" category from the list on the left)
http://www.mdchoice.com/xray/xr.asp
http://www.szote.u-szeged.hu/Radiology/Anatomy/

Hope this helps
Hugs,
~Jyoti

Edit: Yay! I finally found our professor's website. I hope y'all can access it! Please let me know if you can't.
https://ics.parkercc.edu/facweb/jpoirier/
This site is REALLY good for teaching radiology basics! You can even roll your mouse over certain landmarks and the corresponding structure will light up on the image. Hint: START WITH THIS ONE!

 

[allies (lol)]

No formal classroom education with any kinds of films, reading them, etc.

Was formally a harness racing trainer, learned to read x-rays from the vets at the raceway --- holding them up looking against the sunlight is a particularly "fun" way to learn that skill......

from having fractured multiple bones and having damaged [or thinking I had damaged] portions of my own body ---- have copies of my own x-rays, cat scans, mri films, etc. that I pore over familiarizing myself with what I look like from the inside out......... REALLY COOL STUFF ---- especially the x-ray from where I broke my face on the R orbit just above the cheekbone -- sphenoid bone is GORGEOUS!!!!!!!!!!

I understand what I am looking at, so, when clients bring their stuff in with them, it is easier to explain to them what they are looking at without giving them a specific diagnosis, etc..... and, when they ask for an interpretaiton of what the "doctor" language is on the review sheets they bring along, I use their films to explain in "human" just what the heck they are supposed to understand.

 

[Everard G]

As a registered radiologic technologist as was as a massage therapist, I caution anyone who is looking at their clients films. Not only can normal pathology look abnormal, the same is true vice versa. Also, some radiologist speak a language all their own so without working under one reading reviews can be very decieving. It's great to have an understanding of what is going on with the client but be careful not to cross the line.