| CODE | RAD1082 | ||||||||
| TITLE | Medical Imaging and Radiotherapy Devices 2 | ||||||||
| UM LEVEL | 01 - Year 1 in Modular Undergraduate Course | ||||||||
| MQF LEVEL | 5 | ||||||||
| ECTS CREDITS | 5 | ||||||||
| DEPARTMENT | Radiography | ||||||||
| DESCRIPTION | The study-unit presents radiography students with the physics principles underpinning the effective and safe use of the following medical devices: Computed Tomography (CT), Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI), Ultrasound (US), Nuclear Medicine (NM), Positron Emission Tomography (PET) and imaging devices for radiotherapy. The structure and function of the different components of medical devices are presented together with an introduction of the effects of exposure/scan parameter optimisation on radiation dose/risks and image quality. Examples from clinical radiography practice will be used throughout. Students will visit both the Imaging and Radiotherapy departments to see the various modalities and related imaging components and undertake practical hours in each modality (2 hours CT Medical Imaging and 2 hours CT Radiotherapy, 2 hours MRI, 2 hours Ultrasound and 2 hours Nuclear Medicine and PET). Study-Unit Aims: The aims of the study-unit are to: - Ensure that students become safe practitioners by having a good, practice oriented grounding of the physics concepts and methods underpinning the effective and safe use of CT, MRI, US, NM, PET and imaging devices in Radiotherapy (planning CT and CBCT for image verification); - Explain the practical use of the equipment and how to apply appropriate safety measures; - Ensure that students would be able to apply physics concepts of these modalities to practice; - Ensure that students know the importance of physics expertise in radiographic practice; - Optimise scan protocols limiting dose and risks while obtaining images of adequate diagnostic/planning quality for various conditions across modalities; and - Show the modalities presented in the classroom in the clinical setting. Learning Outcomes: 1. Knowledge & Understanding: By the end of the study-unit the student will be able to: - Describe and explain the design and components of CT, including CBCT for dental imaging and radiotherapy image verification, MRI, US, NM and PET; - Explain the physical principles behind the image production and the image production process in these modalities; - Describe the evolution of the design of these image modalities; - Compare the advantages and disadvantages between these modes of imaging; - Discuss the safe use of the modalities in terms of protocol optimisation and use of contrast agents; - Explain the safe handling and disposal of unsealed sources; - Describe the radiation protection issues for patients receiving treatment with unsealed sources including legislations, and treatment room design; - Explain the parameters that can be manipulated and the effects on the resulting image; - Describe the role of the radiographer in the overall care of patient; - Discuss the creation and limitation of artifacts; - Describe the role of CT in radiotherapy planning; - Explain the adaptations of CT design to acquire images for radiotherapy treatment planning; and - Explain the use of other imaging modalities (PET-CT, MRI and US) to overcome the limitations of CT for radiotherapy planning. 2. Skills: By the end of the study-unit the student will be able to: - Apply the knowledge underpinning image formation to be able to produce a good quality image in medical imaging and radiotherapy; - Produce images while providing for the physical and psychological needs of the patient; - Identify how the device parameters can be manipulated to obtain an optimised image (ALARA where applicable); - Justify the use of each modality, including CT for radiotherapy planning; - Identify artifacts in imaging and adequate corrective measures; - Evaluate and discuss the criteria for a good diagnostic image and adequate imaging quality for radiotherapy planning and verification; and - Identify safety aspects for patient, staff and public and discuss procedures to minimize risk. Main Text/s and any supplementary readings: Main Texts: - Bushberg JT, Seibert JA, Leidholdt EM, Boone JM (2012) The essential physics of medical imaging 3rd Ed. Lippincott. - Callen PW (20072016) Ultrasonography in Obstetrics and Gynaecology 64th Ed Elsevierition. - Cherry, P. & Duxbury, A. (editors) (2009) Practical Radiotherapy Physics and Equipment. (2nd edition) London: Wiley. - Ehrlick RA, McCloskey ED, Daly JA (2004) Patient care in radiography 6th Ed. Mosby. - Graham, D.T., Cloke, P. & Vosper, M. (20072011) Principles of Radiological Physics. (65th editionEd) Oxford: Elsevier Ltd. - Bridge, D. (2011). CT Anatomy for Radiotherapy. Cumbria: M&K Update Ltd. - Ma O & Mateer J (2013) Emergency Ultrasound 3rd Ed Mc Graw Hill. - Mettler FA & Milton J (20052012) Essentials of Nuclear Medicine Imaging 5th 6th Ed Saunders Edition. - Shackett P (2008) Nuclear Medicine Technology: Procedures and Quick Reference 2nd Edition lippincott. - The Royal College of Radiologists, Society and College of Radiographers, Institute of Physics and Engineering in Medicine, National Patient Safety Agency, British Institute of Radiology. (2008) Towards Safer Radiotherapy. London: The Royal College of Radiologist. - Webb R, Brant W, Helms Major N (20052019) Fundamentals of Bbody CT 3rd 5th Ed. Elseviour. - Westbrook C (2014) Handbook of MRI technique. 4th Ed Wiley-Blackwell. - Westbrook C (2011) MRI in Practice. 4th Ed Wiley-Blackwell. - Williams, J.R. & Thwaites, D.I. (2001) Radiotherapy Physics in Practice. (2nd edition2nd Ed). Oxford: Oxford Medical Publications. This list is not exhaustive. Students may also wish to use medical imaging/radiotherapy / CT/MRI/Nuclear Medicine oncology based journals and radiotherapy equipment journals / information. |
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| STUDY-UNIT TYPE | Lecture and Practical | ||||||||
| METHOD OF ASSESSMENT |
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| LECTURER/S | Karen Borg Grima Mona Lisa Camilleri Susan Mercieca Victor Micallef Eric Pace Mifsud Claude Portanier Francis Zarb (Co-ord.) |
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The University makes every effort to ensure that the published Courses Plans, Programmes of Study and Study-Unit information are complete and up-to-date at the time of publication. The University reserves the right to make changes in case errors are detected after publication.
The availability of optional units may be subject to timetabling constraints. Units not attracting a sufficient number of registrations may be withdrawn without notice. It should be noted that all the information in the description above applies to study-units available during the academic year 2023/4. It may be subject to change in subsequent years. |
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