89331 - MODALITA' AVANZATE DI DIAGNOSTICA PER IMMAGINI - ANIMALI DA COMPAGNIA

Learning outcomes

The course "Modalities of Advanced Diagnostic Imaging - companion animals" aims to complete the methodological approach of the educational path of the students of the degree course in Veterinary Medicine, alongside the existing courses dedicated to the "Veterinary Radiotomographic Anatomy" and of "Diagnostic imaging and Veterinary Radiology".

At the issue of the course, the student is expected to know the basic principles of functioning of the different advanced imaging modalities (Computerized Tomography - CT, Magnetic Resonance Imaging - MRI, Nuclear Medicine - MN, Contrast Enhanced Ultrasonography - CEUS, Elastosonography); is able to describe the normal anatomy of the main body regions (skull, thorax, abdomen, spine, main joints) through the different imaging methods; know how to prescribe the most appropriate advanced imaging method based on the different clinical situations, motivating their choice in terms of diagnostic and economic opportunities; is able to recognize and describe the main pathological frameworks presented in the different imaging modalities by writing a report with the specific terminology.

Course contents

The course is divided into several primary tracks.
The primary tracks are (in brackets are the number of CFUs and the teacher responsible for each primary track):

• Basic physical principles of advanced imaging modalities (2 CFU – Pey);
• Clinical cases with CEUS and Elastonography method (2 CFU – Diana);
• Clinical cases with CT method (1 CFU – Pey);
• Clinical cases with MRI method (1 CFU – Pey);
• Clinical cases with Nuclear medicine method (1 CFU – Pey);
• Clinical cases integrating several and different advanced diagnostic imaging modalities (1 CFU - Pey).

Readings/Bibliography

• Textbook of Veterinary Diagnostic Radiology - 7th Edition - Authors: Donald Thrall - Saunders - Published Date: 19th December 2017
• Atlas of Small Animal Ultrasonography – 2^nd Edition – Authors: Dominique Penninck and Marc-andré d’Anjou – Wiley Blackwell - 25 September 2015
• Small Animal Diagnostic Ultrasound– 3rd edition – Elsevier- Authors:John S. Mattoon and Thomas G. Nyland - 27 January 2015
• Atlas of Small Animal CT and MRI – Wiley Blackwell - Authors: Erik Wisner and Allison Zwingenberger – 28 April 2015
• Veterinary Computed Tomography – Wiley Blackwell – Authors: Tobias Schwarz and Jimmy Saunders – 30 September 2011
• Body MDCT in Small Animals: Basic Principles, Technology, and Clinical Applications – Springer – Author: Giovanna Bertolini – 5 September 2017
• CT-und MRT-Atlas: Transversalanatomie des Hundes – Authors: Michael Mihaljevic, Martin Kramer and Hrvoje Gomercic – Parey – 26 August 2009
• The Essential Physics of Medical Imaging - 3^rd Edition – Jerrold T. Bushberg, J. Anthony Seibert, Edwin M. Leidholdt Jr., John M. Boone - Wolters Kluwer – 28 December 2011

Lectures notes and PowerPoint presentation

Teaching methods

The course is made of frontal (theoretical) and practical/interactive lectures.
Frontal lectures are dedicated to the explanation of the most theoretical parts of the course (for example: basic principles of the physics) and to the description of the images related to the different part of the body acquired with the different techniques.
The practical lectures are held after the students are divided in small groups.
Each group stays in front of a computer and is asked to recognize and describe the different images proposed. Interaction between students and with the lecturer is strongly encouraged.
Aim of this part of the course is to reinforce the ability in the interpretation of the images of CT, MRI, NM, CEUS and Elastonography.
The educational innovation of this course essentially relies on the active participation of the student through the e-learning platform Moodle.

Assessment methods

Exam consist of a multiple-choice question test performed on the e-learning platform Moodle in the computer room with a maximum number of students of 15.

Teaching tools

Frontal lectures are held in a lecture room provided with video projection and computer. During this kind of lectures videos and pictures are largely used.
Practical lectures are held in a room provided with a computer room in which each couple of students has a computer connected with the computer of the teacher. This room is used for interactive practical lectures.

Office hours

See the website of Pascaline Benedicte Marie Pey

See the website of Alessia Diana