AIC FALL 2021 – ROME RADIOLOGY SEMINAR – Dr. Sarah Dion

SPEAKER

Dr. Sarah Dion graduated from the Université du Québec à Trois-Rivières in Trois-Rivières in 2013. She then completed a full-time three-year residency in diagnostic imaging at the Canadian Memorial Chiropractic College in Toronto, where she acquired extensive clinical experience during several orthopedic and chiropractic placements in different hospitals. Dr. Dion has observed several chiropractic, medical and musculoskeletal radiologists, mainly in Canada, the United States and Australia. She graduated as a chiropractic radiologist (DACBR) in September 2016. After graduating, she became an imaging consultant volunteer for World Spine Care. She practiced as a chiropractor in private practice for approximately one year in Oakville, Ontario. Since September 2017, she works as a full-time professor at the Institut Franco-Européen de Chiropraxie (IFEC), in France, where she teaches courses in radiology. She is also giving continuing education to various chiropractic groups, such as interns and chiropractors in various European countries, such as Switzerland (Swiss Academy and Swiss Chiropractic Sports Council (SCSC)), Spain, Denmark and Belgium. Dre. Dion was also a peer review for the radiology stations of the Swiss Federal chiropractic exam in 2019 and 2020.

MRI of the spine for chiropractors

• Summary of content:This presentation will focus on reviewing the normal anatomy of the spine, how to interpret and understand the MR images and report of your patient. We will go through the entire search pattern and look at examples of normal and abnormal cases of patients presenting to chiropractic clinics. Multiple topics will be covered, such as the various types of disc herniations, spinal stenosis, bone marrow abnormalities (infection, rheumatology, bone tumours and fractures) and spinal cord abnormalities.

• Learning objectives:

o   Know the common indications and contraindications for MRI

o   Recognize the normal and abnormal anatomy of the spine on MRI

o   Be able to generate your own radiology report by knowing what to look for on each plane and sequences

o   Be able to have a systematic approach

o   Know when you can and cannot treat your patient

• Key points:

o   Disc herniation is common in chiropractic practises and you should be able to recognize them on MRI.

o   Spinal stenosis is common in chiropractic practises and it can be assessed with different measurements depending on where you are in the spine. It’s important to know their degree of severity and the cause.

o   The normal bone marrow signal on T1W should always be hyperintense when compared to the disc, if not, look at the other sequences and the patient’s history.

o   The list of differential diagnosis for high signal intensity within the spinal cord is broad.

Subtle radiographic findings and common pathologies encountered in chiropractic practises

• Summary of content:This presentation will briefly review the normal anatomy, views, lines and measurement of the spine on radiographic images. A detailed review of the ABCS and systematic approach for bone pathologies will be provided. A case base approach on common (congenital bony anomalies (such as a bloc vertebra, lumbosacral transitional segments), degenerative disease, spondylolysis and spondylolisthesis and less common things seen in chiropractic practises will be delivered.

• Learning objectives:

o   Review the normal and abnormal anatomy, views, lines and measurements of the spine

o   Review the ABCS

o   Review the systematic approach for spinal bone lesions (including how to describe a fracture, a rheumatological process or a tumour/infection)

o   Review common findings encountered in chiropractic practises

o   Look at subtle radiographic findings that can present in chiropractic practises and that potentially need investigations

• Key points:

o   Remember what to look for on each section of the ABCS

o   Remember what terminology to use when describing bone pathologies

o   Don’t forget there are multiple mnemonics available to help you remember differential diagnosis for various radiographic appearance.

o   Know when you should refer your patient for further investigation, and for what, depending on the clinical history and radiographic findings.