This program reviews fundamental MRI safety protocols and meets the annual training recommendations from the American College of Radiology. Importantly, MRI facilities must now comply with the revised requirements for diagnostic imaging from The Joint Commission and document that MRI technologists participate in ongoing education that includes annual training on safe MRI practices in the MRI environment. As such, Advanced MRI Safety Training for Healthcare Professionals, Level 2 MR Personnel covers each MRI safety topic specified by The Joint Commission, as well as many additional subjects that will expand the knowledge-base of healthcare professionals.

With more than 30 years of experience in the field of MRI, the author of the best-selling textbook series, the Reference Manual for Magnetic Resonance Safety, Implants and Devices, and the creator of the internationally popular website, www.MRIsafety.com, Dr. Frank G. Shellock is uniquely qualified to present the information in this program.

Advanced MRI Safety Training for Healthcare Professionals, Level 2 MR Personnel is a 150-minute program that is divided into three sections.

Educational Objectives

• Understand the safety issues related to MRI.
• Describe the bioeffects associated with the static magnetic field, time-varying magnetic, and radiofrequency fields.
• Present guidelines that prevent projectile-related accdents.
• Describe polices that avoid issues related to acoustic noise.
• Review procedures that prevent burns associated with MRI.
• Explain and demonstrate appropriate pre-MRI screening procedures.
• Identify techniques to manage patients with claustrophobia, anxiety, or emotional distress.
• Describe guidelines to handle medical emergencies in the MRI setting.
• Identify safety considerations for gadolinium-based contrast agents.

This is a Pay-To-View program. Purchase is required for full program access.

This program describes the Joint Commission’s requirements for annual training on specific MRI safety practices. In addition, it covers procedures to manage patients undergoing MRI with recommendations to prevent ferromagnetic objects from entering the MRI environment; claustrophobia, anxiety, or emotional distress; guidelines to screen patients with medical implants and devices; procedures to prevent thermal injuries; methods to handle patients requiring urgent or emergent medical care; contrast agent safety including information for nephrogenic systemic fibrosis, and techniques to avoid problems related to acoustic noise.

Educational Objectives

1. Describe the latest requirements from The Joint Commission for MRI with an emphasis on safety and training.
2. Present procedures for managing claustrophobic patients, screening prior to MRI, preventing ferromagnetic accidents, avoiding MRI-related thermal injuries, handling emergencies, and preventing acoustic noise issues.
3. Define methods to ensure compliance with the latest requirements from The Joint Commission for MRI safety.
4. Summarize The Joint Commission’s requirements for annual training on specific MRI safety practices.

This is a Pay-To-View program. Purchase is required for full program access.

Bindu V. Manyam, MD; Naichang Yu, PhD; Tim Meier, RTT; John H. Suh, MD; Samuel T. Chao, MD

With increases in complexity of radiation delivery and patient volume, vulnerable sources for errors may exist within radiation oncology workflow. Patterns of care recommendations are outlined by the American College of Radiology and the National Comprehensive Cancer Network guidelines; however, departmental and institutional policies and standards for quality and patient safety may vary. This article examines initiatives to mitigate errors and enhance safety, and describes efforts to incorporate quality improvement and patient safety into resident education.

Available for SA-CME Credit. To receive SA–CME credit, you must complete the post exam and review the discussion and references provided with the exam results.

RSNA 2017 Archived Program

As new technological advances in Magnetic Resonance & Ultrasound continue to impact how healthcare professionals diagnose and treat sports related injuries; this program from RSNA 2017 features:

The Future of MR in MSK
by Dr. Christine Chung
Unique Ultrasound Solutions in MSK and Sports Medicine
by Dr. Jon Jacobson

Each provides insight into how these modalities are transforming patient care. Also included is a live USD scanning session with Dr. Jacobson, where he provides a detailed description of his scanning techniques.

Educational Objectives

At the completion of this program, participants will be able to:

• Describe imaging techniques that can reduce scan time without decreasing image quality.
• Describe how the infrastructure of MSK tissue provides a rationale for the development of a qualitative pulse sequence.
• Be familiar with the normal appears of tendons under USD
• Recognize the common MSK pathology seen on USD
• Describe applications where dynamic USD is used in MSK imaging.

This program was originally presented live at RSNA 2017 and sponsored by the Institute for Advanced Medical Education (IAME) and supported through an unrestricted educational grant from Toshiba America Medical Systems (now Canon Medical Systems USA, Inc.).

RSNA 2017 Archived Program

As new technological advances in Computed Tomography continue to impact how healthcare professionals diagnose and treat patients with stroke, pancreatic and biliary cancer and other oncological disease; this program from RSNA 2017 features the following presentations. Each will provide insight into how advanced imaging is improving patient outcomes.

Saving Brain and Improving Patient Outcomes with a Better Acute Stroke Protocol
by Dr. Kenneth Snyder
Can UHR CT Improve Outcomes with Better Detection, Diagnosis and Staging of Pancreatic and Biliary Cancer
by Dr. Miyuki Sone
Improving Oncologic Outcomes Using a Unique 4DCT Solution
by Dr. Junsung Choi.

Educational Objectives

At the completion of this program, participants will be able to:

• Describe how advanced physiologic imaging is transforming the treatment of acute ischemic stroke.
• Describe the limitations of conventional CT in the diagnosis of pancreatic and biliary disease.
• Be familiar with the clinical utility of Ultra High Resolution CT Imaging.
• Describe how hybrid Angio/CT systems are providing clinical utility in interventional oncologic imaging.

This program was originally presented live at RSNA 2017 and sponsored by the Institute for Advanced Medical Education (IAME) and supported through an unrestricted educational grant from Toshiba America Medical Systems (now Canon Medical Systems USA, Inc.).

PET/CT using Fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) has been used for many years as an adjunct modality to conventional imaging. Until recently, PET/CT’s main utility was in oncology and to a lesser degree cardiology and neurology. However, new radiotracers were approved by the FDA; increasing the application of PET/CT in clinical practice. This Expert Forum aims to educate medical imaging professionals about the common indications of Time of Flight (TOF) PET/CT scans using various radiotracers that include: F18- FDG, F18-Fluciclovine, GA68-DOTA-TATE, and F18-Florbetapir.

Following the presentation questions from the audience were addressed in a moderated Q&A session.

Educational Objectives

At the completion of this program, participants will be able to:

• Describe the importance of PET/CT quality.
• Describe common FDG applications.
• Describe the legacy and new FDA-approved radiotracers, their indications and cost.

This program was originally broadcast live as part of a webinar sponsored by IAME and supported through an unrestricted educational grant from Philips Healthcare.

Stephanie R. Rice, MD; Adeel Kaiser, MD; Elizabeth Nichols, MD

This review examines the role of trimodality therapy in the management of esophageal cancer, focusing on controversies surrounding the optimal total neoadjuvant RT dose employed. Current and past technologies for radiation treatment delivery and their impact on overall survival and toxicity are discussed. The authors also detail the data driving the management of resectable esophageal carcinoma, reviewing studies comparing neoadjuvant CRT followed by surgery to definitive CRT, neoadjuvant CRT followed by surgery to surgery alone, and controversies in radiation dose and planning considerations for preoperative resectable esophageal cancer.

Available for SA-CME Credit. To receive SA–CME credit, you must complete the post exam and review the discussion and references provided with the exam results.

Nicholas Hardin, DO; Shaked Laks, MD; Carola Mullins, MD; Osvaldo Padilla, MD; Lisa Kafchinski, MD; and Crysela Smith, MD

Hand masses are commonly encountered entities that often cause clinical and diagnostic dilemmas due to their nonspecific clinical presentation and overlapping imaging findings. This article systematically reviews the most commonly encountered hand masses in clinical practice in order to help the radiologist gain a structured diagnostic approach and familiarity with typical clinical presentations. Furthermore, this review will strengthen the radiologist’s ability to recognize pertinent MR imaging findings and gain knowledge of the underlying pathology on a cellular level.

Available for SA-CME Credit. To receive SA–CME credit, you must complete the post exam and review the discussion and references provided with the exam results.

Wende N. Gibbs, MD, MA, and Lawrence N. Tanenbaum, MD, FACR

Hydrocephalus is a a mechanical complication of different pathologic conditions and a disease process itself.  The morphologic features are easily recognizable, but the patho-physiology remains incompletely understood.  Nearly all hydrocephalus is due to cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) obstruction at some point between the ventricles and the systemic venous circulation.  Classification is important as it informs optimal treatment. 

Optimized imaging is vital to the success of flow diversion.  Current treatments are limited and invasive: CSF diversion via catheter or endoscopic third ventriculostomy.  Decision making relies upon high resolution imaging to determine the site of obstruction and anatomic features that may complicate the procedure.

Morphologic and physiologic imaging are used to evaluate suspected normal pressure hydrocephalus (NPH).  Several morphologic measures individually and in combination have shown high positive predictive value in identifying individuals who will respond to treatment with ventricular shunting and in differentiating NPH from Alzheimer disease, which can have a similar imaging appearance.

Available for SA-CME Credit. To receive SA–CME credit, you must complete the post exam and review the discussion and references provided with the exam results.

Michael D. Chuong, MD; Shahed Badiyan, MD; Matthew Hall, MD, MBA; Smith Apisarnthanarx, MD

Although there is general awareness that modern radiation technologies both reduce normal organ dose while permitting safe dose escalation in nonoperable EC patients, there is lack of consensus about how these technologies should be routinely employed in the clinic. There clearly is need for well-designed clinical trials to guide clinical decision making in this regard, several of which are being planned (NCT01102088) or already underway (NCT01512589). This course examines how contemporary radiation technologies can improve the therapeutic index, including both reduced cardiopulmonary and hematologic toxicity and higher tumor control, for nonoperable esophageal cancer patients receiving definitive chemoradiation.

Available for SA-CME Credit. To receive SA–CME credit, you must complete the post exam and review the discussion and references provided with the exam results.

RSNA 2018 Archived Program

As technological advances in MR, CT, USD, and Combined Angiography/CT systems continue to impact how healthcare is practiced, this Expert Forum Symposium Series, featuring two (2) individual presentations from experts in their respective fields; will highlight through their clinical experiences, how they are maximizing the latest advances in imaging, and assess the growing impact that artificial intelligence is having on improved patient outcomes, satisfaction and throughput.

Following the presentation questions from the audience were addressed in a moderated Q&A session.

Deep Learning Reconstruction
by Mathias Prokop, MD
Enhanced Value of Neuro MR Imaging Using Deep Learning Reconstruction Denoising Methods
by Vincent Dousset, MD, PhD

Educational Objectives

At the completion of this program, participants will be able to:

• Discuss the clinical value of new deep learning reconstruction techniques in CT.
• Implement new de-noising methods in neuro MR imaging.

This program was originally presented live at RSNA 2018 and sponsored by the Institute for Advanced Medical Education (IAME) and supported through an unrestricted educational grant from Canon Medical Systems.

Jennifer Shaffer Ngo, MD, and Gary R. Schooler, MD,

Pediatric musculoskeletal injuries often manifest differently from adult injuries and similar mechanisms may present differently depending on the degree of skeletal maturity. This article outlines many of the common pediatric injuries that the general radiologist may encounter in practice. Select topics include physeal injuries, elbow fractures, developmental dysplasia of the hip, slipped capital femoral epiphysis, and Blount disease. Knowledge of these unique pathologies and anatomic variants will help the radiologist recognize these entities sooner, ultimately helping facilitate the most expeditious and appropriate care.

Available for SA-CME Credit. To receive SA–CME credit, you must complete the post exam and review the discussion and references provided with the exam results.

Advances in technology have led computed tomography (CT) to become one of the main diagnostic tools utilized today in modern healthcare, as it provides a safe and low risk anatomical visualization of the human body. However, these advances have also introduced new challenges related to the administration of contrast, which is a fundamental component of many CT imaging exams, particularly in cardiac CT.

This Expert Forum aims to help a wider audience of radiology professionals understand how to use iodine contrast safely, by using a weight-based contrast strategy, which allows technologists and radiologists to image safely while obtaining optimal results. In addition, we will discuss the value of including saline in your protocols, which can result in contrast savings, but also provides the ability to optimize the contrast injection process to improve image quality and patient safety.

Learning Objectives

• Gain insight into weight-based imaging strategies and how to implement them in clinical practice.
• Identify when saline may be a helpful addition to an injection strategy.

Supported through an unrestricted educational grant from Bracco Diagnostics Inc.

Alysha Vartevan, DO; Crystal May, DO; and Craig E. Barnes, MD

Bone tumors are one of the most common lesions encountered by radiologists. Fortunately, most pediatric bone tumors are benign. Although cross sectional imaging such as CT or MRI can be useful, the most important imaging modality in the initial workup of a bone tumor is the plain radiograph.

Differentiating between benign and malignant bone tumors is not always straightforward; however, it is possible to distinguish between them by carefully evaluating charac-teristics such as the lesion’s type of margin, pattern of bone destruction, type of periosteal reaction and presence of an associated soft tissue mass. In addition, matrix type and tumor location can help narrow the differential diagnosis.

Available for SA-CME Credit. To receive SA–CME credit, you must complete the post exam and review the discussion and references provided with the exam results.

Computed Tomography (CT) continues to be the modality of choice in most emergency departments and is respected for its ability to quickly capture cross sectional images of the body, allowing ED physicians to quickly assess patients.

In recent years, several manufacturers have developed scanners with the ability acquire images at varying energy levels, which allow imaging professionals to differentiate the various elements of the body based on their material density and atomic numbers.

This technique has the potential to revolutionize the way we depict and interpret CT scans. In this Expert Forum Webcast, Dr. Gopal Punjabi will share his clinical experiences with the use of Spectral CT in the Emergency Department with a focus on body imaging.

Educational Objectives

At the completion of this program, participants will be able to:

• Describe scenarios where spectral CT can enhance diagnosis.
• Describe the types of images that can be obtained with spectral CT.
• Understand how to interpret the additional data acquired in spectral CT imaging.

Supported through an unrestricted educational grant from Philips Healthcare.

Andrew Kennedy, MD; Susan Garwood, MD; Allison Grow, MD, PhD; Ryan Lipscomb, MS

Multidisciplinary team members treating lung cancers may not be aware of the complexity and coordination required for delivery of stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT) to lung masses. Shifts in practice have occurred in management of early stage non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), particularly with regard to the role of the specialized pulmonologist (interventional pulmonology), which involves different staging techniques than traditional mediastinoscopy. This review provides key information to foster a deeper understanding and appreciation for patient selection, work up, behind-the-scenes critical quality assurance tasks, and clinical pearls for stereotactic radiation therapy for lung cancer.

Available for SA-CME Credit. To receive SA–CME credit, you must complete the post exam and review the discussion and references provided with the exam results.

Prostate MRI can be an effective tool in preventive as well as diagnostic and ongoing patient care for patients with statistical likelihood and/or risk factors predisposing them to the diagnosis of prostatic neoplasia. Used efficiently, MR contributes to early detection, accurate staging and localization, and reduction in unnecessary biopsies and treatment.

Skilled reporting provides allied health professionals with critical results to serve patients optimally, allocate resources effectively and improve treatment and surgical outcomes for their patients. This Expert Forum webcast will include a series of case reviews that incorporate and elucidate these concepts.

Following Dr. Pomeranz's presentation questions from the audience were addressed in a moderated Q&A session.

Educational Objectives

At the completion of this program, participants will be able to:

• Identify the clinical indications for effective utilization of MR of the prostate.
• Be familiar with signal characteristics of prostate neoplasia on MRI, and understand the application of ACR standard PI-RADS scale to this type of imaging pathology.
• Describe MRI's key role as a diagnostic tool for screening, active surveilance, staging, recurrence, identification, treatment planning and treatment response evaluation.

Supported through an unrestricted educational grant from Hitachi Medical Systems.

Open MRI Systems have evolved enormously since their inception in the 1980’s and today true high-field systems offer an excellent, patient centric alternative to closed, cylindrical bore systems for imaging of basic and advanced applications throughout the body.

In this final installment of this 2-Part series, which is being chaired and moderated by Dr. Lawrence N. Tanenbaum, we will hear from Dr. John Feller who will address the advantages of high-field open MRI systems for MSK imaging. Specifically, he will cover patient comfort, image quality, isocentric imaging, metal artifact reduction scanning (MARS), solenoid coil technology, fat suppression, operational efficiency, and marketability.

Following the presentation, Dr. Tanenbaum will moderate a live Q&A where questions from the audience will be addressed.

Educational Objectives

At the completion of this program, participants will be able to:

• Describe how market forces including patient centric imaging are impacting today’s radiology departments.
• Describe how modern Open MRI Systems align with value-based care and are changing the way that imaging facilities do business.
• Understand the technical specifications of High-Field Open MRI Systems.
• Understand the concept of isotropic imaging and new fat suppression technologies.
• Describe the increased image quality and range of applications in MSK imaging.

Supported through an unrestricted educational grant from Hitachi Healthcare Americas

Deborah R. Shatzkes, MD

“Nomenclature has been the major obstacle to our understanding and management of vascular anomalies.” These words were written by John Mulliken over 30 years after publishing his seminal paper on the biologic basis of vascular anomalies in 1982. The intervening decades have brought tremendous progress in classification, diagnosis and therapy of this diverse group of lesions. Still, much confusion exists in the medical community, in no small part because of inaccurate and inconsistent use of nomenclature both in the liter-ature and in clinical practice.

The multidisciplinary International Society for the Study of Vascular Anomalies (ISSVA) was formed in 1992 to promote research in the field of vascular anomalies and to create a uniform nomenclature that would facilitate research and clinical practice. ISSVA created a comprehensive classi-fication scheme based on Mulliken’s work on the biologic basis of disease, updated most recently in 2014 and available at issva.org/classification. The ISSVA classification and its associated nomenclature are widely accepted as the gold standard by the numerous medical specialties involved in clinical care and research related to vascular anomalies.

Available for SA-CME Credit. To receive SA–CME credit, you must complete the post exam and review the discussion and references provided with the exam results.