Logan University’s annual Joseph W. Howe Oration in Diagnostic Imaging seeks to highlight the important contributions and work being done within the field of radiology. This year marked the 17th edition of this industry-leading event, which attracted a substantial audience both in person and online.
Norman Kettner, DC, DACBR, FICC, Dean of Research and Emeritus Professor of the Department of Radiology hosted and moderated the oration. The keynote speaker was Alicia M. Yochum, RN, DC (’11), DACBR, rMSK. Dr. Yochum completed her Doctor of Chiropractic at Logan, in addition to an imaging residency and a fellowship in musculoskeletal advanced imaging. Today, she practices at Rocky Mountain Chiropractic Radiology Center, located in Denver, Colorado. During her time at Logan, Dr. Yochum worked with and was mentored by Dr. Howe, extensively, which made this particular presentation an important personal honor.
The theme of Dr. Yochum’s oration was “Real Life Radiology.” The presentation primarily focused on x-rays, ultrasounds, MRIs and other forms of imaging that came directly from patients, giving the audience an opportunity to identify possible spinal, bone and muscle problems and generate possible solutions.
At the beginning of Dr. Yochum’s presentation, she pointed out how techniques such as partially covering a portion of an x-ray (and thereby “limiting information”) can often make it easier to identify musculoskeletal problems. She further explained how using side-by-side comparison imagery can help reveal asymmetries and other irregularities that typically indicate the need for treatment.
The presentation helped illustrate how the results of various types of imaging can cause care providers to recommend a variety of different treatments, including pain management, passive therapy, medicine, core decompression and bone transplant osteotomy. Being able to recognize visualized problems—even very tiny fractures—and connect these problems to viable solutions is a crucial component of providing care.
Dr. Howe was a major proponent of advanced chiropractic radiology and the long-standing impact he had on his former students, as well as the rest of the radiology community, was made apparent throughout the presentation. Dr. Howe was a consistent advocate for ultrasound and other technologies that play a crucial role across many different medical specialties.
The images presented by Dr. Yochum were diverse, with varying imaging techniques, medical conditions, patient profiles and quality of images. This eclectic mix of images helped illustrate the dynamic potential of modern imaging.
Dr. Yochum also discussed some of the nuances involved in the imaging process, such as collaborating with other experts and making sure to examine the parts of film that are often overlooked, such as the edges.
By using these nuanced techniques and implementing new technologies, the field of radiology continues to expand its use cases and applications. As Dr. Yochum helped further explain, the list of conditions identified through imaging techniques continues to grow. For example, imaging can be used to identify the presence of De Quervain Syndrome and other conditions.
Overall, Dr. Yochum’s presentation helped highlight ongoing developments within the field of radiology, particularly within the field of chiropractic. Beyond the various imaging techniques discussed throughout the presentation, Dr. Yochum made clear the profound impact that Dr. Howe has had on the radiology community. There are more than one hundred people within Dr. Howe’s “DACBR Family Tree”, including dozens of award winners and contributing researchers. As a community, this has resulted in positive outcomes for thousands of patients across the world.