Overview
This unit is a continuation of Diagnostic Imaging 1 (CHIR2005). The unit further prepares you to identify, interpret, report and communicate pathologic processes that were not previously covered, as they present on conventional radiographs and advanced imaging modalities. These differential diagnostic skills are fundamental competencies in Chiropractic practice.
Details
Pre-requisites or Co-requisites
Corequisite: CHIR20006 Clinical Practice 3 Pre-requisite CHIR20005 Diagnostic Imaging 1
Important note: Students enrolled in a subsequent unit who failed their pre-requisite unit, should drop the subsequent unit before the census date or within 10 working days of Fail grade notification. Students who do not drop the unit in this timeframe cannot later drop the unit without academic and financial liability. See details in the Assessment Policy and Procedure (Higher Education Coursework).
Offerings For Term 3 - 2025
Attendance Requirements
All on-campus students are expected to attend scheduled classes - in some units, these classes are identified as a mandatory (pass/fail) component and attendance is compulsory. International students, on a student visa, must maintain a full time study load and meet both attendance and academic progress requirements in each study period (satisfactory attendance for International students is defined as maintaining at least an 80% attendance record).
Recommended Student Time Commitment
Each 6-credit Postgraduate unit at CQUniversity requires an overall time commitment of an average of 12.5 hours of study per week, making a total of 150 hours for the unit.
Class Timetable
Assessment Overview
Assessment Grading
This is a graded unit: your overall grade will be calculated from the marks or grades for each assessment task, based on the relative weightings shown in the table above. You must obtain an overall mark for the unit of at least 50%, or an overall grade of 'pass' in order to pass the unit. If any 'pass/fail' tasks are shown in the table above they must also be completed successfully ('pass' grade). You must also meet any minimum mark requirements specified for a particular assessment task, as detailed in the 'assessment task' section (note that in some instances, the minimum mark for a task may be greater than 50%). Consult the University's Grades and Results Policy for more details of interim results and final grades.
All University policies are available on the CQUniversity Policy site.
You may wish to view these policies:
- Grades and Results Policy
- Assessment Policy and Procedure (Higher Education Coursework)
- Review of Grade Procedure
- Student Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure
- Monitoring Academic Progress (MAP) Policy and Procedure - Domestic Students
- Monitoring Academic Progress (MAP) Policy and Procedure - International Students
- Student Refund and Credit Balance Policy and Procedure
- Student Feedback - Compliments and Complaints Policy and Procedure
- Information and Communications Technology Acceptable Use Policy and Procedure
This list is not an exhaustive list of all University policies. The full list of University policies are available on the CQUniversity Policy site.
Feedback, Recommendations and Responses
Every unit is reviewed for enhancement each year. At the most recent review, the following staff and student feedback items were identified and recommendations were made.
Feedback from SUTE
Students appreciated that the unit cooardinator presented case material that simulates 'real world practice' and focused on elements that are important for future professional success.
It is recommended that unit content continue to incorporate authentic case material.
Feedback from SUTE
Students would appreciate more revision experiences.
It is recommended that the unit coordinator consider incorporating more practice exercises for students to review their progress and skills prior to assessments.
- Implement a search strategy to indentify and evaluate normal findings, abnormal changes and disease processes on radiographs.
- Create a differential diagnosis list in order to arrive at a provisional diagnosis based on radiographic and clinical findings
- Select the appropriate management strategy for a variety of clinical and imaging abnormalities
- Write complete and concise radiology reports.
The Learning Outcomes are in the context of the AQF and specifically address the Council on Chiropractic Education Australasia (CCEA) Competencies.
Alignment of Assessment Tasks to Learning Outcomes
| Assessment Tasks | Learning Outcomes | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | |
| 1 - Written Assessment - 70% | ||||
| 2 - Oral Examination - 30% | ||||
| 3 - Case Study - 0% | ||||
Alignment of Graduate Attributes to Learning Outcomes
| Graduate Attributes | Learning Outcomes | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | |
| 1 - Knowledge | ||||
| 2 - Communication | ||||
| 3 - Cognitive, technical and creative skills | ||||
| 4 - Research | ||||
| 5 - Self-management | ||||
| 6 - Ethical and Professional Responsibility | ||||
| 7 - Leadership | ||||
| 8 - Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Cultures | ||||
Textbooks
Yochum and Rowe's Essentials of Skeletal Radiology
Edition: 3rd (2005)
Authors: Terry R Yochum and Lindsay J Rowe
Lippincott, Williams and Wilkins
ISBN: 9780781739467
Binding: Hardcover
Resnick's Bone and Joint Imaging
Edition: 4th (2024)
Authors: Donald L. Resnick, Jon A Jacobson, Christine B Chung, Mark J Kransdorf, Minii N Pathria
Elsevier
ISBN: 9780443351693
Additional Textbook Information
Available online through CQUni Library
IT Resources
- CQUniversity Student Email
- Internet
- Unit Website (Moodle)
All submissions for this unit must use the referencing style: American Psychological Association 7th Edition (APA 7th edition)
For further information, see the Assessment Tasks.
k.grace@cqu.edu.au
Module/Topic
Scoliosis
Spondylolisthesis
Chapter
Yochum & Rowe's Essentials of Skeletal Radiology, Third Edition
Chap. 4 & Chap. 5
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Introduction to Bone Lesions
Chapter
Yochum & Rowe's Essentials of Skeletal Radiology, Third Edition
Review Chap. 7, pp. 679-718
Resnick's Bone and Joint Imaging
Section 4: Tumors and Tumor-Like Lesions
#21 - Fundamental Concepts
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Osseous and Cartilaginous Tumours
Chapter
Yochum & Rowe's Essentials of Skeletal Radiology, Third Edition
Osteoma pp. 1244-1248
Bone Island/ Enostoma pp. 1249-1254
Osteoid Osteoma/osteoblastoma pp. 1254-1267
Osteosarcoma pp. 1184-1194
Enchondroma pp. 1267-1279
Osteochondroma pp. 1226-1237
Chondrosarcoma pp. 1194-1200
Resnick's Bone and Joint Imaging
Section 4: Tumors and Tumor-Like Lesions
#21 - Commonly Encountered Primary Bone Tumours (focus on those discussed in lecture/ tutorial)
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Fibrous and Miscellaneous Tumours
Chapter
Yochum & Rowe's Essentials of Skeletal Radiology, Third Edition
Fibroxanthoma pp. 1285-1290
Fibrosarcoma pp. 1205-1208
Giant cell tumor pp. 1220-1226
Aneurysmal bone cyst pp. 1295-1299
Ewing's sarcoma pp. 1200-1205
Resnick's Bone and Joint Imaging
Section 4: Tumors and Tumor-Like Lesions
#21 - Commonly Encountered Primary Bone Tumours (focus on those discussed in lecture/ tutorial)
#21 - Undfferentiated Small Round Cell Sarcomas of Bone (Ewing's Sarcoma)
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Metastasis and Miscellaneous Tumours
Chapter
Yochum & Rowe's Essentials of Skeletal Radiology, Third Edition
Metastatic bone tumours pp. 1137-1168
Multiple myeloma pp. 1168-1183
Hemangioma pp. 1237-1244
Chordoma pp. 1208-1213
Paget's disease pp.1302-1331
Fibrous dysplasia pp. pp. 1332-1346
Resnick's Bone and Joint Imaging
Section 4: Tumors and Tumor-Like Lesions
#21 - Commonly Encountered Primary Bone Tumours (focus on those discussed in lecture/ tutorial)
#21 - Skeletal Metastasis
Section 8: Disorders of the Hematopoetic System
#36 - Multiple Myeloma & Plasmacytoma
Section 7 - Metabolic & Endocrine Disorders
#33 - Paget Disease
Section 9 - Miscellaneous Disorders
#43 - Fibrous Dysplasia
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Haematologic and Vascular Disorders
Chapter
Yochum & Rowe's Essentials of Skeletal Radiology, Third Edition
Chap 13 pp. 1427-1440, 1444-1488
Resnick's Bone and Joint Imaging
Section 9: Miscellaneous Disorders
#40 - Osteonecrosis
#41 - Osteochondroses
Section 8: Disorders of the Hematopoetic Systemt
#35 - Hemoglobinopathies
Events and Submissions/Topic
Written Case Reports - Cases 1-3
Due Friday 19 December 2025 11:59pm
Module/Topic
Happy Holidays!
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Happy Holidays!
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Skeletal Dysplasias
Advanced Imaging Modalities - Introduction & Historical
Chapter
Yochum & Rowe's Essentials of Skeletal Radiology, Third Edition
Chap. 8 pp. 721-727, 756-761, 765-774, 776-777
Chap. 6 pp. 619-668
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Advanced Imaging - CT & MRI
Chapter
Yochum & Rowe's Essentials of Skeletal Radiology, Third Edition
Chap. 6 pp. 485-618
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Chest Part 1
Chapter
Weekly teaching materials posted to Moodle
Events and Submissions/Topic
Viva/ Oral Interpretation Assessments Weeks 9-12, Times will be allocated prior
Module/Topic
Chest Part 2
Chapter
Weekly teaching materials posted to Moodle
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Abdomen
Chapter
Weekly teaching materials posted to Moodle
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Abdomen 2/ Review
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Written Case Reports - Cases 4-6
Due Friday 13 February 2026 11:59pm
Oral Assessment Due: Week 12 Friday (13 Feb 2026) 11:45 pm AEST
Module/Topic
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
1 Written Assessment
This assessment is an invigilated online assessment. The test will be comprised of a range of question formats, including multi choice, matching, short and long answer explanations.
This is a closed-book assessment and no notes, texts or additional electronic devices are allowed during this assessment task. You will have a 10 minute perusal time prior to the allotted writing time. The test will last for three (3) hours. You will submit your test electronically.
This test must be written at the timetabled date and time. If you arrive late, you may enter the test room up to 15 minutes after the start of the test, however, you will still be required to submit your test at the standard test end time. You will not be allowed entry more than 15 minutes after the test starts. In the absence of an approved extension, there will be no opportunity for you to complete this assessment at a later time, and you will receive a mark of zero for the assessment.
**The 72-hour grace period does not apply to this assessment.
Wednesday (18 Feb 2026) 9:00 am AEST
Subject to any timetable changes.
Exam Week Friday (20 Feb 2026)
In order to achieve a passing grade or higher, students will be required to demonstrate their competence in the following areas:
1. Accurately identify and describe pathologies covered in the unit, apply appropriate radiologic terminology to describe the appearance, and relate these to clinical presentations relevant to Chiropractic practice.
2. Create a differential diagnosis list or arrive at a provisional diagnosis based on radiographic findings and clinical information.
3. Demonstrate and effectively communicate and understanding of the pathogenesis of disorders that may represent on diagnostic imaging studies, linking imaging findings with clinical reasoning.
4. Select, justify and interpret diagnostic imaging appropriate to Chiropractic practice, demonstrating adherence to ALARA principles and other relvant imaging guidelines.
5. Effectively communicate key radiographic findings and their clinical relevance based on authentic, simulated clinical cases and demonstrate an understanding of and effectively communicate appropriate referral pathways base on diagnostic imaging findings and associated clinical information.
- Create a differential diagnosis list in order to arrive at a provisional diagnosis based on radiographic and clinical findings
- Select the appropriate management strategy for a variety of clinical and imaging abnormalities
2 Oral Examination
The student will be provided with 1 or 2 diagnostic imaging cases reflecting that which may present to a chiropractor and will represent those conditions presented during the term
The student will attend a 15 minute 'one-on-one, in person/online' assessment session and provide a verbal interpretation of the above cases to the lecturer. This assessment will be completed throughout Weeks 10-12. Times will be made available and posted for selection at Week 8.
Marking rubric for this component will be provided on Moodle
These assessments will be held one-on-one, in person, with the unit coordinator. The unit coordinator reserves the right to move this online via zoom if the need arises.
**The 72-hour grace period does not apply to this assessment.
Week 12 Friday (13 Feb 2026) 11:45 pm AEST
** These will take place between weeks 10-12. Times will be made available in week 8**
Friday (20 Feb 2026)
In order to achieve a passing grade or higher, students will be required to demonstrate their competencies in the following areas:
1. Identify normal radiographic anatomy and pathologies covered in the course;
2. Apply appropriate terminology to describe the radiographic appearance and diagnosis of pathologies;
3. Effectively communicate key radiographic findings and their relationships to clinical information in a simulated clinical environment
4. Demonstrate an understanding of the contraindications to manual therapies;
5. Demonstrate an understanding of referral pathways including GP, Specialist, Advanced Imaging, Pathology where appropriate
No submission method provided.
- Implement a search strategy to indentify and evaluate normal findings, abnormal changes and disease processes on radiographs.
- Create a differential diagnosis list in order to arrive at a provisional diagnosis based on radiographic and clinical findings
3 Case Study
Radiological reports are an important component of clinical management. It is crucial that chiropractors are able to construct adequate reports on films obtained in their clinics and comprehend terminology contained in reports on images provided. The student will construct Six (6) detailed radiology reports on separate case images. Instructions for locating the case images will be provided on the Moodle page.
Please note the following details:
The report itself should be in the format presented in the course and adhere to the template posted on Moodle.
3 reports will be due at Week 6 and the remaining 3 reports will be due at Week 12.
This is a pass/ fail component and ALL reports must be turned in and on time, to pass. Feedback will be provided during discussion of the case in tutorial and a Model report will be uploaded following Week 6 and Week 12.
**The 72-hour grace period does not apply to this assessment.
*Due weeks 6 & 12. See task description and class schedule for specific information**
Exam Week Friday (20 Feb 2026)
In order to achieve a passing grade or higher, students will be required to demonstrate their competencies in the following areas:
1. Identification of normal radiographic anatomy, anomalies or variations and pathologies covered in the course;
2. Apply appropriate terminology to describe the radiographic appearance and diagnosis of pathologies;
3. Demonstrate an understanding of the mechanics of radiographic report writing
4. Effectively communicate key radiographic findings and their relationships to clinical information in a simulated clinical environment
5. Demonstrate an understanding of appropriate referral pathways including GP, Specialist, Advanced Imaging, Pathology.
- Implement a search strategy to indentify and evaluate normal findings, abnormal changes and disease processes on radiographs.
- Select the appropriate management strategy for a variety of clinical and imaging abnormalities
- Write complete and concise radiology reports.
As a CQUniversity student you are expected to act honestly in all aspects of your academic work.
Any assessable work undertaken or submitted for review or assessment must be your own work. Assessable work is any type of work you do to meet the assessment requirements in the unit, including draft work submitted for review and feedback and final work to be assessed.
When you use the ideas, words or data of others in your assessment, you must thoroughly and clearly acknowledge the source of this information by using the correct referencing style for your unit. Using others’ work without proper acknowledgement may be considered a form of intellectual dishonesty.
Participating honestly, respectfully, responsibly, and fairly in your university study ensures the CQUniversity qualification you earn will be valued as a true indication of your individual academic achievement and will continue to receive the respect and recognition it deserves.
As a student, you are responsible for reading and following CQUniversity’s policies, including the Student Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure. This policy sets out CQUniversity’s expectations of you to act with integrity, examples of academic integrity breaches to avoid, the processes used to address alleged breaches of academic integrity, and potential penalties.
What is a breach of academic integrity?
A breach of academic integrity includes but is not limited to plagiarism, self-plagiarism, collusion, cheating, contract cheating, and academic misconduct. The Student Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure defines what these terms mean and gives examples.
Why is academic integrity important?
A breach of academic integrity may result in one or more penalties, including suspension or even expulsion from the University. It can also have negative implications for student visas and future enrolment at CQUniversity or elsewhere. Students who engage in contract cheating also risk being blackmailed by contract cheating services.
Where can I get assistance?
For academic advice and guidance, the Academic Learning Centre (ALC) can support you in becoming confident in completing assessments with integrity and of high standard.
What can you do to act with integrity?