50991 - Image-Based Diagnostic and Veterinary/Medical Endoscopy

Learning outcomes

Knowledge of the physical principles, technical aspects and clinical application of the ultrasound waves and of the alternative imaging technologies in medicine. In particular the students should be able to understand the image formation and the modes of echo display. Knowledge and the significance of the artifacts. To describe the basic interpretation paradigms for the normal structures of the small and large animals. The students will be able to read  images and interpret the main abnormal echographic findings.

Course contents

Basic principles of the ultrasound: wavelength, frequency and propagation velocity. Transducers. Scanner controls. Modes of echo display: A-mode, B-mode, M-mode, realtime B-mode. Interation of sound with tissues. Image orientation, interpretation and terminology. Doppler: physical principles, pulsed, continuous, color and power Doppler. Interpretation of the Doppler spectral display. Artifacts: identification and knowledge of the formation mechanism. Ultrasound guided biopsy. Clinical application of ultrasound in small and large animals. The abdomen: liver, spleen, stomach and duodenum, pancreas, small intestines and colon, kidneys, adrenal glands, urinary bladder, prostate, uterus and ovaries, abdominal lymph nodes, abdominal vessels. The neck: main vessels, thyroid gland, lymph nodes, salivary glands. The torax: mediastinum and diaphragm, pleural structures and pulmonary diseases. The heart: echocardiography, normal examination. The main echocardiographic M-mode and B-mode measurements. The evaluation of cardiac function. The musculoskeletal system: tendons, ligaments and joints examination.    

Readings/Bibliography

Nyland T., Mattoon J.:
Veterinary Diagnostic Ultrasound.  
W.B Saunders - Philadelphia - II Ed. 2002

Teaching methods

clinical cases

Assessment methods

Multiple choise test and oral examination

Teaching tools

Clinical cases

Office hours

See the website of Mario Cipone