Factors Affecting Gonadal Shielding Use Among Technologists in California.

Purpose: To assess the patient gonadal shielding practices of radiologic technologists in the state of California.

Methods: A survey invitation was sent via email to registered radiologic technologists in California to collect data to determine whether there were significant associations between gonadal shielding practices and various categorical variables, including patient sex, patient age, body part, availability of gonadal shielding protocols, availability of gonadal shields, and supervisor encouragement.

Results: There was a significant association between gonadal shielding protocol availability and supervisor encouragement of using gonadal shielding ( = .

An overview of radiography, computed tomography, and magnetic resonance imaging in the diagnosis of lumbar spine pathology.

When patients present with symptoms associated with lumbar spine pathology, often a series of diagnostic examinations of escalating sophistication are utilized. To obtain a diagnosis, the initial study is usually done on lumbar spine radiographs, which demonstrate gross bony pathologies, spinal alignment, and bone density. Frequently, additional high-cost invasive or noninvasive procedures may be required.