Temporal Bones vs. STN

I am having so much trouble getting these two exams straight in my head! I always think I should be doing butterflies on temporal bones, and then forget that most of the time we need them on STN's! Finally Kim said to me on the last temporal bones (a young kid w/lot's of braces.....) "look at where the temporal bones are and look at where the braces are. The braces aren't even where we are scanning." Duh - light bulb moment. Finally! Sometimes I concentrate so hard on the protocol and positioning that I forget to use my common sense. Thank you Kim!

I have decided to challenge myself to comp on temporal bones this semester. I need to increase my speed and this is a good exam to do fast, since the position is uncomfortable for the patient.

Mid-semester

Well, I'm about 1/2 way thru Semester 2. Anatomy is going well. I am discovering that it is a lot of self study and memorization but that is ok. Scanning is coming more easily over time and I do feel like I've increased my speed. Last week I did most of the timing on a contrast exam so bit by bit I am improving! We continue to see a lot of ortho exams and post-myelograms in the clinic. One more comp to go for the semester!

Plugging along....

Things are going well this semester. I have made good progress with IV's and have comped on my upper extremity and lumbar spine. I need to work on a couple of things - my speed, and really pushing myself with the contrast exams. Contrast timing still presents a challenge!

I am feeling more comfortable with the tracking/PACS system used at the clinic - it is a big change from what I'm used to.

I am also enjoying my time on Wed. mornings working with a different CT tech. Now I can pick up tips from two techs rather than just one!