| CODE | RAD3329 | ||||||||
| TITLE | Digestive System: Imaging, Pathology and Radiotherapy | ||||||||
| UM LEVEL | 03 - Years 2, 3, 4 in Modular Undergraduate Course | ||||||||
| MQF LEVEL | 6 | ||||||||
| ECTS CREDITS | 6 | ||||||||
| DEPARTMENT | Radiography | ||||||||
| DESCRIPTION | The aim of this study-unit is to equip students with the theoretical knowledge and practical skills to perform medical imaging procedures of the digestive system and deliver radiotherapy treatment. Topics include: Indications to undertake medical imaging examinations and procedures including clinical indications, advanced techniques, imaging and patient considerations, terminology, application and utilisation of protective devices, radiation protection, optimised and justified procedures and practices. Clinical applications as well as pattern recognition and abnormality detection related to the digestive system in planar radiography, CT, MRI, US, RNI, and PET/CT will be discussed. The oncology and radiotherapy techniques used to treat tumours of the digestive system including; anus, colorectal, liver, pancreas and stomach tumours will also be discussed. Study-Unit Aims: - To provide a learning situation which enables the student to become proficient at performing diagnostically acceptable images while undertaking medical imaging procedures related to the digestive system; - To develop good medical imaging practice and ensure students are conversant with and employ safe working practices, particularly with regard to radiation safety in accordance with current legislation and departmental protocols and procedures; - To appraise the reasons for the diagnostic examinations required to demonstrate the anatomy and pathologies of the digestive system; - To provide students with an opportunity to recognise, describe and define pathologies and disease processes; - To provide an awareness of the feelings of patients and their behaviour in the hospital environment; - To promote a learning culture among students in order to keep up to date with current developments in medical imaging; - To enable students to understand the needs of the patient and the respect and care necessary to be given in different circumstances; - Discuss the oncology and management of tumours of the digestive system; and - To appraise the role of the different imaging modalities. Learning Outcomes: 1. Knowledge & Understanding By the end of the study-unit the student will be able to: - Evaluate the role of the radiographer in the overall care of the patient presenting with an injury/pathology/condition related to the digestive system; - Explain technical, patient and pathological factors influencing preparation and choice of technique for specific medical imaging examinations of the digestive system; - Apply knowledge of imaging devices and radiation protection principles to ensure optimisation of dose and image quality; - Discuss how to adapt and optimise the imaging technique for different types of patients, pathologies/conditions and/or circumstances; - Discuss how to correctly undertake medical imaging procedures of the digestive system; - Discuss the evaluation criteria of the images produced; - Identify pathological processes and conditions on the resultant images; and - Describe the tumours that can arise from the digestive system and their management. 2. Skills By the end of the study-unit the student will be able to: - Demonstrate the skills and competencies to produce diagnostic images of the digestive system (under supervision) while providing for the physical and psychological needs of the patient; - Analyse the clinical request and justify the medical imaging examination of the digestive system; - Decide on the medical imaging examinations to be performed in accordance with the clinical request, patient clinical history, clinical indications and patient presentation; - Care and communicate effectively with the patient before, during and after the medical imaging or radiotherapy examination/procedure of the digestive system; - Practice and apply correct positioning techniques for the patient in both medical imaging and radiotherapy procedures; - Practice application of radiation protection measures to ensure optimisation of dose and image quality in accordance with national legislation and departmental protocols and procedures; - Adapt and optimise medical imaging examinations to the needs of the individual patient; - Evaluate images and discuss the criteria for a good diagnostic image; - Evaluate medical image and identify any pathologies/conditions that are present; - Identify pathologies of the digestive system and assess the need for further medical imaging examinations based on these pathologies; - Analyse and solve problems that arise when performing a medical imaging examination or delivering radiotherapy treatment of the digestive system; - Apply radiotherapy techniques to the management of tumours of the digestive systems; and - Evaluate and discuss the management of treatment side effects for tumours of the digestive system. Main Text/s and any supplementary readings: Main Texts: - Beggs, J, (2006), Abdominal X-rays made easy (2nd ed.), Churchill Livingstone. - Bushberg (2012) The essential physics of medical imaging 3rd Ed. - Dalrymple, NC, Leyendecker, JR & Oliphant, MD, (2009) Problem solving in Abdominal Imaging, Mosby. - Ehrlick, McCloskey (2004) Patient care in radiography 6th Ed. - Ma O & Mateer J (2013) Emergency Ultrasound. - Mayer-Baese, A (2003) Pattern recognition for Medical Imaging, Academic Press. - Meire H et al (2001) Clinical Ultrasound: A comprehensive Text. Abdominal and General Ultrasound 5th Ed. - Mettler FA & Milton J (2005) Essentials of Nuclear Medicine Imaging 5th Ed. - Prakash D (2014) Nuclear Medicine: a guide for healthcare professionals and patients, Springer India. - Sharp PF, Gemmell HG & Murray AD (2005) Practical Nuclear Medicine. - Webb, Brant, Helms (2005) Fundamentals of body CT 3rd Ed. - Westbrook C (2014) Handbook of MRI technique. - Westbrook C (2011) MRI in Practice. Supplementary Readings: - Armstrong P, Wase M & Rockail A (2012) Diagnostic Imaging 6th Edi. -Bowra J & McLaughlin R (2011) Emergency Ultrasound Made Easy 2nd Ed. - Gaspari R & Fox F (2005) Emergency Ultrasound: Principles and Practice. - Nanni, Fan and Zanoni (2014) Radiology for PET/CT Reporting, Springer-VerlagBerlin Heidelberg. - Shack P (2008) Nuclear Medicine Technology: Procedures and Quick Reference2nd Ed. - Tempkin BB (2007) Pocket Protocols for Ultrasound Scanning 2nd Ed. |
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| STUDY-UNIT TYPE | Lecture, Independent Study & Tutorial | ||||||||
| METHOD OF ASSESSMENT |
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| LECTURER/S | Paul Bezzina Karen Borg Grima (Co-ord.) Susan Mercieca Victor Micallef Natalino Carmelo Pennisi Lara Maria Sammut Francis Zarb |
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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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