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Axial Skeletal Reporting

Module description

This module will enhance your understanding and knowledge of the axial skeleton and will develop your image interpretation skills in order to provide accurate written reports. It will allow for a comprehensive understanding of axial skeletal trauma and will consolidate understanding and recognition of musculoskeletal pathology relative to the axial skeleton.

Students undertaking this module should be familiar with projection radiography images and be a registered healthcare professional. You will be required to hold employment in a healthcare setting where you have access to images and mentorship for the reporting aspects. You will also be required to demonstrate HCPC registration.

Module aims - intentions of the module

This module aims to support you in the development of your knowledge of the axial skeleton. This module will introduce you to mechanisms of injury and will enable you to identify the radiological appearances of trauma commonly associated with the axial skeleton. The module will also consolidate knowledge and understanding of various musculoskeletal pathologies in addition to normal variants.

As a student undertaking this module you will develop and enhance your report writing abilities and will be able to demonstrate a deeper understanding of how the clinical picture relates to the image findings.

Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs)

ILO: Module-specific skills

On successfully completing the module you will be able to...

• 1. Analyse, interpret and critically evaluate radiographic images of the axial skeleton including complex cases.
• 2. Use clinical reasoning and critical judgement in the construction of radiological reports of the axial skeleton and demonstrate comprehension of the resultant clinical decision making process.
• 3. Use the current evidence base to inform knowledge and demonstrate understanding of pathologies and trauma appearances of the axial skeleton.

ILO: Discipline-specific skills

On successfully completing the module you will be able to...

• 4. Demonstrate a systematic understanding of medical vocabulary and use accurate terminology to describe image findings precisely.
• 5. Undertake analysis of complex image findings and cases and apply advanced theoretical knowledge in the evaluation of findings in the context of the most recent evidence-base
• 6. Evaluate the context of the radiological report and how it may impact on the subsequent management of the patient based on the current evidence base

ILO: Personal and key skills

On successfully completing the module you will be able to...

• 7. Identify, evaluate and maintain qualities to support effective communication in a range of complex and specialised contexts.
• 8. Exercise initiative and personal responsibility for independent learning and continuing professional development.

Syllabus plan

Develop a comprehensive understanding of:

1. Normal axial skeletal anatomy and normal variants
2. Axial musculoskeletal pathology
3. Mechanism of injury and radiological appearances
4. The appearances of minor and major axial skeletal trauma
5. Use and apply the correct medical terminology
6. Appropriate construction of radiological reports
7. Demonstrate an awareness of image quality
8. Appropriate diagnostic pathway and clinical decision making

Learning activities and teaching methods (given in hours of study time)

Details of learning activities and teaching methods

Formative assessment

Summative assessment (% of credit)

Details of summative assessment

Details of re-assessment (where required by referral or deferral)

Re-assessment notes

In order to pass the module, the examinations and the portfolio components must be passed.

In the event that you fail to complete sufficient practice reports to pass the portfolio component you will be required to submit any outstanding reports within six weeks of the original submission date.

The final OSCE scores will be scaled in order that the final module mark is in line with accepted conventions in regard to the classifications awarded for successful postgraduate study. Specific details can be found in the programme handbook.

Indicative learning resources - Basic reading

Adam, A., Dixon, A. K., Gillard, J. H. and Schaefer-Prokop, C. M. eds., 2015. Grainger And Allison’s Diagnostic Radiology: A Textbook Of Medical Imaging. 6th ed. Churchill Livingstone Elsevier. EHL (NHS): WN 100 GRA Vol 1 and WN 100 GRA Vol 2

Blankenbaker, D. G., Davies, K. W., Sonin, A., Crim, J. R., Tuite, M. J. and Andrews, C. L., 2016. Diagnostic Imaging: Musculoskeletal Trauma. 2nd ed. Elsevier. UL: electronic resource.

Dähnert, W., 2017. Radiology Review Manual. 8th ed. Wolters Kluwer. UL: 616.0757 DAH

Davies, S. G. ed, 2014. Chapman And Nakielny’s Aids To Radiological Differential Diagnosis. 6th ed. Saunders. UL: electronic resource.

Fox, J C., ed., 2017. Clinical Emergency Radiology. 2nd ed. Cambridge University Press. UL: electronic resource

Grant, L. A. and Griffin. N., 2018. Grainger And Allison’s Diagnostic Radiology Essentials. 2nd ed. Elsevier. UL: 616.0757 GRA

Helms, C., 2014. Fundamentals Of Skeletal Radiology. 4th ed. Elsevier Saunders. UL: electronic resource.

Keats, T. E. and Anderson, M. W., 2013. Atlas Of Normal Roentgen Variants That May Simulate Disease. 9th ed. Elsevier Saunders. UL: electronic resource.

McConnell, J., Eyres, R. and Nightingale, J., 2005. Interpreting Trauma Radiographs. Blackwell. UL: 616.0757 MAC

Raby, N., Berman, L., Morley, S. and de Lacey, G., 2015. Accident And Emergency Radiology: A Survival Guide. 3rd ed. Saunders. UL: 616.0757 RAB

Renton, P., 1998. Orthopaedic Radiology: Pattern Recognition And Differential Diagnosis. 2nd ed. CRC Press. UL: 616.0757 REN

Resnick, D., 2002. Diagnosis Of Bone And Joint Disorders. 4th ed. WB Saunders. UL: 616.71075 RES (Vol 1 through to Vol 5)

Rogers, L. F. and Clark West, O., 2015. Imaging Skeletal Trauma. 4th ed. Elsevier Saunders. UL: electronic resource.

Key words search

Image Interpretation Axial Skeleton