Radiology Continuing Education

History & Development of PET (3 CE)

In the past decade, positron emission tomography has gone from an investigative procedure available only at a select group of large research facilities to a relatively common examination. In this article Dr. Elaine Wacholtz takes the reader through the history and development of this fascinating new modality, explaining the modality in terms even a non-physicist can easily understand. Expires August 15, 2013. Approved for 3 Category A (Direct) credits for ARRT; NMTCB; Florida; Iowa. Focus: Nuclear Medicine (general science)

Myocardial Perfusion & Stress Testing in Nuclear       Medicine (1 CE)

Myocardial perfusion imaging is the only noninvasive, widely available test for assessing myocardial perfusion directly. Stressing the patient by either the administration of pharmaceuticals or exercise can add to the utility of the study when used in an appropriate setting; this process allows for assessment of the coronary perfusion reserve. Dr. Saabry Osmany outlines the various techniques that can be used including the advantages and contraindications of each. Expires August 15, 2013. Approved for 1 Category A (Direct) credits for ARRT; NMTCB; Florida; Iowa. Focus: Nuclear Medicine (cardiology)

Theories and Practice of Radiation Safety in Nuclear Medicine (1 CE)

This article by Alan Vespie, describes the nature of radioactivity and examines the several types of radioactive emissions that are relevant in nuclear medicine technology. It describes particulate radiation, bremsstrahlung radiation, positron emission, annihilation reaction, electromagnetic radiation, isomeric transition, and electron capture. The biological effects of radiation, including stochastic effects, radiation hormesis, and deterministic or non-stochastic effects, are defined. It concludes by outlining factors associated with acute radiation syndrome including the prodromal and latent stages. Expires August 15, 2013. Approved for 1 Category A (Direct) credit for ARRT; NMTCB; Florida; Iowa. Focus: Nuclear Medicine

Review of Epidemiology for the Nuclear Medicine Technologist (1 CE)

Written by Norman Bolus, this article provides a brief history of epidemiology and explains the underlying assumptions of this science. It outlines the three major types of epidemiology studies and lists the criteria necessary for a valid statistical association. It defines epidemiologic terms and explains what is accepted as proper correlation of cause-and-effect relationships. Expires May 15, 2013. Approved for 1 Category A (Direct) credit for ARRT; NMTCB; Florida; Iowa [Nuclear Medicine]. Focus: General Science, Nuclear Medicine

Radionuclide Imaging in Acute Coronary Syndromes (1 CE)

Written by Dr. Brian Abbott, this article reviews diagnostic techniques used for patients presenting in the ED with chest pain. It explains the advantages and drawbacks to using rest SPECT for the detection of myocardial infarction and myocardial ischemia. It provides a list of practical considerations involved in the decision to use rest SPECT in the ED triage of acute chest pain. Expires May 15, 2013. Approved for 1 Category A (Direct) credit for ARRT; NMTCB; Florida; Iowa [Nuclear Medicine]. Focus: Nuclear Medicine (cardiology)

Image Processing & Filtering Techniques of Static & Dynamic Images (1 CE)

Written by Alan Vespie, this article makes the mathematical and scientific principles used in the manipulations and enhancement of images in the nuclear medicine department easy to understand. It describes static imaging issues, including image scaling, background subtraction, smoothing/filtering, digital subtraction, normalization, and image profiling. It reviews dynamic imaging issues, including image summation/addition, temporal filtering, and time activity curves. Expires July 15, 2013. Approved for 1 Category A (Direct) credit for ARRT; CRA [Operations Management]; NMTCB; Florida; Iowa [General X-ray]. Focus: Nuclear Medicine (physics)

Gated SPECT Myocardial Perfusion Imaging: A Review (1 CE)

Author April Mann, provides a step-by-step review of gated SPECT examinations. It looks at the anatomic orientation of the heart as it pertains to the exam and identifies potential sources of artifact and error associated with this imaging technique. The five criteria used to evaluate the quality of a gated SPECT exam are outlined. An explanation of how extra-cardiac activity can interfere with the assessment of myocardial perfusion is provided. Applications of gated SPECT imaging are listed. Instructions will allow the technologist to accurately calculate left ventricular ejection fraction. Expires July 15, 2013. Approved for 1 Category A (Direct) credit for ARRT; NMTCB; Florida; Iowa [Nuclear Medicine]. Focus: Nuclear Medicine (cardiology)

Nuclear Brain Imaging: Stroke (1 CE)

Written by Alan Vespie, this article introduces the reader to aspects of brain physiology that relate to nuclear medicine imaging. It explains the classification system of nuclear medicine brain imaging agents and looks at hydrophilic, lipophilic and metabolic agents. Expires July 15, 2013. Approved for 1 Category A (Direct) credit for ARRT; NMTCB; Florida; Iowa [Nuclear Medicine]. Focus: Nuclear Medicine (radiopharmaceuticals)

Breast Cancer and F-18 FDG PET/CT (2 CE)

Second only to skin cancer, breast cancer in the United States is one out of every three cancers in women. Dr. Saabry Osmany uses this article to discuss the clinical utility of F-18 FDG PET imaging in the detection, staging and restaging of breast cancer. The article
also examines the use of the dual-modality imaging method of PET/CT for this diagnosis. The fused images help in the visualization of both functional and anatomical information. Expires August 15, 2013. Approved for 2 Category A (Direct) credits for ARRT; NMTCB; Florida; Iowa. Focus: Nuclear Medicine, CT