VeterinaryRadiographic positioning
You get a sedated or anesthetized dog with a suspected diagnosis. You choose the region and at least 2 orthogonal views, position the dog with mechanical restraint only, set the digital x-ray machine from its technique chart and take diagnostic images while keeping everyone safe from radiation, all within 45 minutes. It is the Radiographic Positioning section of the ECFVG Clinical Proficiency Examination.
Free to startScenarios
- A dog of mild temperament, sedated or under general anesthesia, with a suspected diagnosis set by the site, a digital x-ray machine and its technique chart.
The steps
- From the suspected diagnosis, choose the anatomical region and the views that confirm or rule it out, at least 2 orthogonal views. Critical point
- Mind the anesthetic delivery and monitoring equipment every time you reposition the dog.
- Position the dog for the first view with mechanical restraint only: ties, wedges, sandbags, tape.
- Set kVp, mA and time from the machine's technique chart.
- Use radiation safety at every exposure: protective gear, shielding or staying behind the protective wall, and nobody exposed without need. Critical point
- Take the first view.
- Reposition the dog and take the second, orthogonal view.
- Check each image for diagnostic quality; if one is not good and there is time, repeat that view once and say which of the two images is scored.
- Discuss the diagnostic quality of the images you designated with the examiner.
- Keep the dog safe the whole time: proper restraint of a sedated dog and no harm to the anesthetic equipment.
- Communicate with the examiner clearly and briefly and finish within the 45 minutes.
Safety rules that stop the station
- Not using radiation safety, such as skipping mechanical restraint when needed or not using protective gear or the protective wall, is a fatal flaw: zero for the section.
- Images that do not include the right anatomical region for the suspected diagnosis can get a fatal flaw.
- Unsafe handling of the dog, such as poor restraint when sedated or disturbing the anesthetic equipment, takes points off.
To pass
- The sheet scores 100 points: positioning, technique and choice of views and region 50, and the quality of the 2 designated images 50.
- Radiation safety and animal safety add no points: failing the first is a fatal flaw and failing the second takes points off.
- The examiner only answers questions about equipment you may not know; the section needs 60 points to pass.
Official source
Manual of Administration for the Clinical Proficiency Examination
The AVMA publishes the CPE Manual of Administration free: every station, its assessment sheet and the score needed to pass.
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