Skeletal Symposium 2nd day of the symposium started with an interesting topin on cervical spine imaging for rheumatoid arthritis by Borgny Ween. Challenging questions were put forward to the audience regarding the proper way of doing flexion / extension views, and the accurate positioning of the central ray. This lecture was followed by another topic on knee templating by Pierre Demicoli which paved the way for interesting discussion on the need for accurate position, how this could be consistently achieved, and the responsibility of the radiographer to ensure that this is guaranteed. As if this wasn't enough, Borgny Ween presented another sensitive topic on quality imaging in bone cancer. The take home message was 'If quality for skeletal imaging must be good, than quality for skeletal cancer imaging must be excellent'. She showed various examples of why excellent quality is the primary responsibility for radiographers.

2nd day afternoon session focused on CT and MRI fusion during radiotherapy planing. Djordje Kovacevic introduced the idea of how radiotherapy and diagnostic radiographers are working together to deliver a holistic imaging and radiotherapy to patients using MRI and CT from two major companies. He showed how attention to detail is once more necessary to ensure that both MRI and CT are fused together accurately in order to deliver the right dose at the right place. Last session was given by Nicola Lanzon who was the highlight of the day giving radiographers and introduction to image interpretation by radiographers as is done at the Homerton Hospital in London. The skill for detail was again the main feature of this lecture and once more prove that radiographers have a wider role in imaging Malta's Health.
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Skeletal Symposium 3rd day - started with a lecture on MRI of the wrist / fingers and Ankle/foot by Joseph Castillo who provided the audience with tips on how to consistently acquire good quality images of these areas. This was then followed by an interesting and detailed lecture on MRI Anatomy and pathology of the wrist, thumb and carpal tunnel by Dr Michele Calleja, consultant radiologist. The audience than discussed the meaning of 'radiographer - led' and how it's misuse could lead to professional implications. The audience agreed that a definition on 'radiographer-led' is needed so as to avoid ambiguous situations. It seems however that 'radiographer-led' is context based and it may mean different things for different communities of radiographers across Europe.
After lunch, Dr Carmel Caruana, a Medical Physicist at University of Malta and Training Coordinator at EFOMP gave what must have been the keynote lecture of the day. Dr Caruana discussed the confusion in terminology related to image quality and image device performance indicators. The take home message was that all stake holders in medical imaging must use the correct terminology when talking or writing about image. Equally interesting was the last lecture of the symposium by Dr Ruben Depasquale who discussed MRI of the ankle and the foot.

The symposium was adjourned for March 2013 where this community of radiographers will be discussing Imaging Women's Health as well presentation of a number of studies in Radiography Practice.  The number will be limited to 12 in order to give adequate time for authors to discuss the results and conclusions from their study.