E5078. BASICS Approach to Musculoskeletal Radiography
Authors
Abbey Geraldine Matibag;
St. Luke's Medical Center - Global City
Stacey Danica Gosiaco;
St. Luke's Medical Center - Global City
Eazels Cadag;
St. Luke's Medical Center - Global City
Thurl Hugh Cledera;
St. Luke's Medical Center - Global City
Vinci Lazarte;
St. Luke's Medical Center - Global City
Randall Sidney Teh;
St. Luke's Medical Center - Global City
Background
Plain film of the musculoskeletal system is frequently seen in practice and is one of the first organ systems that the young radiologist is exposed to in training.
Educational Goals / Teaching Points
Interpretation of radiologic images combines knowledge of imaging physics, anatomy, and pathologic conditions, which makes a structured checklist practical and reduces the risk of missed findings.
Fractures can be easily assessed using the principles of joint alignment (bone contour and architecture), bone appearance, and irregularities in the cortex, including describing the type of fracture, location, and presence of displacement.
If pathology is not readily distinguished in the osseous structures, looking at the adjacent soft tissues may provide additional clues to an inconspicuous fracture
Key Anatomic/Physiologic Issues and Imaging Findings/Techniques
The "BASICS" approach to musculoskeletal radiographs includes Bone and joint anatomy (B), bone Appearance/Alignment (A), joint Space (S), Irregularities in the Cortex (IC), and Soft tissues (S).
Conclusion
A quick but thorough analysis of a given musculoskeletal radiograph using the BASICS approach serves as a basic guide to all levels in proper image interpretation.
