Image Interpretation: Bones, Joints, and Fractures

James Harcus qualified as a Diagnostic Radiographer from the University of Leeds in 2002 and worked at Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust as a radiographer across a range of specialities. In 2004 he began training in musculoskeletal image interpretation (reporting) at University of Bradford. After leaving Leeds in 2007 he took up a post in a large general practice surgery where he ran a small imaging service consisting of X-ray and ultrasound and during this time he completed his MSc in chest and abdominal image interpretation (reporting) and also his postgraduate certificate in musculoskeletal ultrasound back at the University of Leeds. After being a visiting and associate lecturer for a number of years, in 2012 he took up an academic post as a lecturer, and subsequently Senior Lecturer, at Sheffield Hallam University and became a fellow of the Higher Education Academy in 2014. In 2018 he helped establish the UK's first clinical academy for reporting radiographers. In December 2018 he moved to the University of Leeds as a lecturer in Diagnostic Imaging, teaching on both undergraduate and postgraduate programmes. He has a special focus on teaching skeletal anatomy which is ideal for this book.

?1- Principles of Image Interpretation

Theory of image viewing (e.g. forming and interpreting patterns); principles of image interpretation when viewing radiographic images (e.g. satisfaction of search, systematic approaches/patterns); types and formats of image interpretation (e.g. preliminary clinical evaluation/comment, clinical reporting); structuring a comment

2- Normal appearances of bones and joints

Normal appearances of bones and joint; normal variants (including differentiating between normal variant and fracture).

3- Fractures and Joint Trauma

Biomechanics of trauma; patterns of injury; fracture types and healing; treatment

Chapters 4-9 will all follow a similar format by addressing each bone/joint in turn by considering:





Systematic review of each bone/joint: how to assess, normal appearances/ measurements
Common normal variants
Patterns of injury
Common injuries; radiographic appearances supported by other modalities where appropriate



4- Upper limb

Humerus, forearm, hand; elbow and wrist joints

5- Shoulder girdle and thorax

Clavicle, scapula, sternum, and ribs; shoulder, acromioclavicular, and sternoclavicular joints

6- Lower limb

Femur, tibia and fibula, foot; knee, ankle and foot joints

7- Pelvic girdle

Hip bones; hip joint

8- Spine

Cervical, thoracic, lumbar vertebrae; sacro-iliac joints

9- Facial bones and mandible

10- Practical applications of image interpretation

CPD and audit of image interpretation practices. Role of artificial intelligence.