one-third of private practice radiologists received time off for meetings (average, 2 weeks), reporting that vacation time must be used for meetings. Almost all academic radiologists (97%) had an educational fund (mean, $2,400), whereas only 10% of private practice radiologists had one. Both groups reported spending about $600 per year on books and journals and about $1,000 on society memberships. Academic radiologists were much more likely to have their life, malpractice, health, and disability

insurances

These general practice

older

than

a true

provided.

results are based on a relatively small sample, but the trends indicated should be representative. The private radiologists responding were an average of 5 years

their

trend

academic

or an artifact

counterparts,

which

of the sample

size.

could

be either

As in all surveys, bias is generated by differences between those who did and did not respond to the survey. In regard to private practice, those who would take the time to respond to a survey likely have an academic bent, suggesting that private practice radiologists with “academic tendencies” were sampled. Some questions, such as salary, were left blank more often than others. We believe that individuals with particularly large salaries would be less likely to share this information, resulting in reported values lower than the true mean. Hillman et al (2), in a recently reported survey, suggest that academic radiologists are more interested in research and subspecialization

stitutions articles ing

than

in income.

They

that receive large research published during training,

computers,

and

completing

report

that

training

in in-

funds, having research having access to grants,

a research

fellowship

are

usall

factors promoting choice of a research career. Private practice radiologists considered leisure time and income as major factors in choosing a career (3). Both groups considered family obligations an important factor. Wood et al (4) reported that academic careers are chosen because of atmosphere, research, subspecialization, and teaching and private practice is chosen because of the autonomy, lifestyle, and income. This

preliminary

investigation

suggests

that

commonly

held

beliefs regarding salary and vacation hold true, but that there are more similarities than some may have thought. This information should be of interest to both residents and practicing radiologists. A larger and more comprehensive survey incbuding subjective facts such as job satisfaction and intellectual stimulation may provide further insight.

References 1.

1990 directory

members. Oak Brook, Ill: Radiological Soci1990. BJ, Fajardo LL, Witzke DB, et al. Factors influencing radito choose research careers. Invest Radiol 1989; 11:842-848.

ety of North

of RSNA

America,

2.

Hillman ologists

3.

Hillman BJ, Fajardo LL, Witzke DB, Cardenas D, Irion M, Fulginiti JV. Influences affecting radiologists’ choices of academic or private practice careers. Radiology 1990; 174:561-564. Wood PS, Altrnaier EM, Franken EA, Evens RG, Schlechte JA. Factors influencing choice of academic or practice careers in radiology.

4.

Invest

U

Radiol

1990;

Acronyms

Densitometry

From: Harry K. Genant, Faulkner, PhD,

MD, Claus C. Gl#{252}er,PhD, Kenneth Sharmila Majumdar, PhD, Steven

Users

and

manufacturers

of these

joined in an International Standards standards of calibration, measurement There is a general agreement that bone densitometry techniques are DXA has been accepted. Therefore, we would again like for dual x-ray absorptiometry and

G. T. Harris,

densitometers

have

now

Committee (4) to discuss units, and terminology. standard abbreviations for necessary, and the term

to emphasize the use of DXA add SXA to the list of acroDPA, and DXA with QCT

nyms. When we use SPA, SXA, (quantitative computed tomography), clinicians will understand what we

both mean.

researchers

and

Good acronyms for ultrasound attenuation and velocity measurements and for magnetic resonance (MR) imaging measurements, both used for quantifying bone mineral density and structure, still need to be agreed on. Acronyms such as QUS for quantitative ultrasound and QMR for quantitative MR would be consistent with QCT. Such terminology, however, would clearly need development by consensus.

References 1.

Wilson energy

2.

GlOer CC, Steiger P, Selvidge R, Elliesen-Kliefoth K, Hayashi C, Genant HK. Comparative assessment of dual-photon absorptiometry and dual-energy radiography. Radiology 1990; 174:223-228. Gl#{252}erCC, Steiger P. Genant HK. Reply. Radiology 1990; 176:875876.

3. 4.

Nord

metric

CR, Collier D, Carrera x-ray absorptiometry

RH, Stein equipment

JA, Mazess (letter).

GF, Jacobson DR. (letter). Radiology

RB, Pommet Bone Miner

RP. 1991;

Acronym for dual1990; i76:875.

DXA 13:85.

bone

densito-

Erratum “Improvement in Mammography Community Radiology Practice Courses: 2-Year Medical Audit

25:675-677.

in Bone

to our previously published article (2). We supported their suggestion (3). Since then, the number of articles about DXA has increased considerably. However, different acronyms (DEXA, dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry; DER, dual-energy radiography; DRA, dual-energy radiographic absorptiometry; and QDR, quantitative digital radiography) for this technique are still being used, several of which are proprietary in origin. DXA is the upgraded version of DPA (dual photon absorptiometry). Dual x-ray bone densitometers, in which the nuclear source has been replaced by an x-ray source, have gained widespread acceptance and distribution. Recently, similar devebopments in SPA (single photon absorptiometry) have occurred, which will add yet another acronym to densitometry terminology: SXA for single x-ray absorptiometry, not the alternative, “SEXA.” We agree with the statement by Wilson and colleagues that the “E” for energy is redundant (2) and also recommend eliminating “energy” from the full-length name of the technique (dual x-ray absorptiometry) in accordance with the accepted usage for single photon absorptiometry and dual photon absorptiometry.

1992;

184:39-43.

Page

4i, Table

Symptomatic

4, column are

Interpretation after Dedicated of 38,633 Cases.”

1, the words

Skills in a Teaching Radiology

Asymptomatic

and

reversed.

MD, Klaus Engelke, PhD, and Cornelis van Kuijk, PhD Department of Radiology, University of California, San Francisco San Francisco,

CA 94143-0628

Editor: In the September 1990 issue of Radiology, Wilson and cobleagues (1) proposed the adoption of a set of uniform terms and acronyms for dual x-ray absorptiometry (DXA) in response

878

#{149} Radiology

September

1992