| CODE | RAD3328 | ||||||||||||||||
| TITLE | Devices and Clinical Applications of Ultrasound and Unsealed Radionuclides | ||||||||||||||||
| UM LEVEL | 03 - Years 2, 3, 4 in Modular Undergraduate Course | ||||||||||||||||
| MQF LEVEL | Not Applicable | ||||||||||||||||
| ECTS CREDITS | 6 | ||||||||||||||||
| DEPARTMENT | Radiography | ||||||||||||||||
| DESCRIPTION | The study-unit presents health care students with knowledge underpinning the devices used, theoretical principles and clinical applications of Ultrasound and Radionuclide Imaging, including PET/CT. The devices part of this study-unit is common to that delivered as part of study units RAD3035, RAD3036 and RAD3037 PET/CT is a state-of-the-art imaging tool used for diagnosing pathology, staging and evaluating treatments in oncology patients. Students will be able to discuss the use of this modality in clinical practice. Students will also be able analyse the use of sentinel lymph node (SLN) as a standard of care for patients with breast cancer and melanoma; the use of Liver HIDA scans in diagnosing hepatobiliary pathologies; the value of performing SPECT brain scans and myocardial perfusion scans to diagnose pathologies. Students will also be able to evaluate the use of diagnostic ultrasound scanning in the abdomen and pelvis, gynaecology and obstetrics as well as musculo-skeletal and other specialist applications of ultrasound depending on the scope of practice of their respective profession. The study-unit is made up of lectures, tutorials, clinical demonstrations and clinical placements under the supervision of a qualified radiographer and/or sonographer where students can discuss issues related to devices, physical principles, safe use of devices and ancillary equipment and clinical applications as well as pattern recognition and abnormality detection in US and RNI, including PET/CT. The safe use of unsealed radiation sources in radionuclide imaging and treatment of various diseases will also be discussed. Study-Unit Aims: - To discuss the physical and chemical properties of various radionuclides used in medicine; - To evaluate the safe use of unsealed radionuclide source in the management of several diseases; - To explain the principles of the function of diagnostic US machines, the Gamma Camera and PET/CT scanner; - To demonstrate the practical use of the scanners and any ancillary equipment required for safe practice; - To demonstrate the safe use of the scanners focusing on patient care; - To investigate the clinical applications of US, Nuclear Medicine and PET/CT and discuss situations where they have taken over from conventional imaging; - To investigate and evaluate the scan protocols used in Nuclear Medicine and PET/CT in the optimisation of dose and image quality, to obtain the maximum diagnostic information for various conditions; - To evaluate the resultant images obtained with these imaging modalities, for both common and occasional pathological manifestations; - To evaluate the preparation of the patient for US, Nuclear Medicine and PET/CT examinations; and - To discuss the preparation and safe handling of radiopharmaceuticals in Nuclear Medicine and PET/CT. Learning Outcomes: 1. Knowledge & Understanding By the end of the study-unit the student will be able to: - Describe the physical and chemical characteristics of common radionuclides including activity and types of decay; - Explain the safe handling and disposal of unsealed sources; - Discuss the use of various unsealed sources in the management of several diseases including thyroid cancer, bone metastasis, rheumatoid arthritis, non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma and polycythaemia rubra vera; - Describe the radiation protection issues for patients receiving treatment with unsealed sources including legislations, treatment room design and clinical protocols; - Discuss the physical and psychological care of patients undergoing radionuclide treatment; - Discuss US, nuclear medicine and PET scanning with respect to their advantages and disadvantages with other modes of imaging; - Discuss the sensitivity and specificity of the modalities to specific clinical indications; - Identify common pathological processes on the resultant images; - Discuss the safe use of modalities in terms of protocol optimisation, use of contrast agents and radio pharmaceuticals where applicable; - Describe the role of the radiographer in the overall care of patient presenting with an injury/pathology/condition; - Explain justification of the US/RNI examination based on patient presentation and clinical indications; - Explain technical, patient and pathological factors influencing preparation and choice of technique for specific examination; - Apply knowledge of imaging systems and radiation protection principles to ensure optimisation of dose and image quality where applicable; - Discuss how to adapt and optimise the technique for different types of patients, pathologies/conditions and/or circumstances; - Describe how to correctly undertake supervised US/RNI examinations, giving due consideration to: patient preparation, room and radio pharmaceutical preparation, selection of appropriate protocols and positioning of patient; - Explain how the patient must be treated with respect and care appropriate to their physical and psychological needs, before, during and after performing the examination; - Identify and describe, using the correct terminology, physiological uptake of radio pharmaceuticals by organs in RNI and organs and soft tissue in ultrasound; - Discuss the evaluation criteria of the image produced; - Reflect and discuss the potential impact the image quality may have on the patient’s management and care; and - Discuss the use of contrast agents, radio pharmaceuticals and their potential risks. 2. Skills By the end of the study-unit the student will be able to: - Examine and apply the concepts of radiation physics in the preparation and administration of radiotherapy treatments with unsealed sources; - Perform relevant dose calculations for patients receiving treatment with unsealed radionuclide sources; - Identify potential radiation hazards according to legislation and apply this knowledge to patients receiving treatment with unsealed sources; - Produce under supervision diagnostic images and provide for the physical and psychological needs of the patient; - Process images and use post processing software on digital images; - Identify requirements for protocol manipulation and optimisation based on the diagnostic requirements and needs of the patient; - Analyse the clinical request and justify the examination; - Decide on the protocol to be performed in accordance with the request, clinical history, clinical indications and patient presentation; - Perform correct identification check and screen patient including pregnancy check (if applicable); - Care and communicate effectively with the patient before, during and after the examination; - Practice and apply correct positioning techniques for the patient; - Practice application of radiation protection measures to ensure optimisation of dose and image quality where applicable; - Evaluate image and discuss the criteria for good diagnostic images; - Identify organs in terms of their normal and abnormal appearance, positioning errors and artefacts and physiological uptake of radiotracers; - Evaluate image and identify any pathologies that are present; - Assess the need for further imaging based on these pathologies; - Analyse and solve problems that arise when performing an US, Nuclear Medicine or a PET/CT exam, using the appropriate guidelines and research evidence; and - Identify risk factors associated with contrast agents and radiotracer administration, assess signs and symptoms of possible reactions and take appropriate action in accordance with established procedures. Main Text/s and any supplementary readings: Main Texts: - Bushberg (2011) The Essential Physics of Medical Imaging 3rd Ed. - Callen PW (2007) Ultrasonography in Obstetrics and Gynaecology 4th Edition. - Ma O & Mateer J (2013) Emergency Ultrasound. - Mettler FA & Milton J (2005) Essentials of Nuclear Medicine Imaging 5th Edition. - Prakash D (2014) Nuclear Medicine: a guide for healthcare professionals and patients, Springer India. Supplementary Readings: - Armstrong P, Wastie M & Rockail A (2012) Diagnostic Imaging 6th Edition. - Ball. J., Moore, A. & Turner, S. (2008). Essential Physics for Radiographers. (4th edition) Oxford: Blackwell Science. - Bianchi S et al (2007) Ultrasound of the Musuloskeletal System. - Bowra J & McLaughlin R (2011) Emergency Ultrasound Made Easy 2nd Ed. - Brooks A, Connolly J & Chan O (2004) Ultrasound in Emergency Care. - Cherry, P. & Duxbury, A. (editors) (2009) Practical Radiotherapy Physics and Equipment. (2nd edition) London: Wiley. - Ehrlick, McKloskey (2004) Patient Care in Radiography. - Gaspari R & Fox F (2005) Emergency Ultrasound: Principles and Practice. - Graham, D.T., Cloke, P. & Vosper, M. (2007) Principles of Radiological Physics. (5th edition) Oxford: Elsevier Ltd. - Hoskin, P. (editor) (2007) Radiotherapy in Practice: Radioisotope Therapy. Oxford: Oxford University Press. - Jacobson JA (2007) Fundamentals of Musculoskeletal Ultrasound. - Jadvar, H., Parker, J.A. (2005) Clinical PET and PET/CT, Springer, Springer-Verlag London. - Meire H et al (2001) Clinical Ultrasound: A comprehensive Text. Abdominal and General Ultrasound 5th Edition. - Nanni, Fanti and Zanoni (2014) Radiology for PET/CT Reporting, Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg. - Shackett P (2008) Nuclear Medicine Technology: Procedures and Quick Reference 2nd Edition. - Sharp PF, Gemmell HG & Murray AD (2005) Practical Nuclear Medicine. - Tempkin BB (2007) Pocket Protocols for Ultrasound Scanning 2nd Edition. This list is not exhaustive. Students may also wish to use radiotherapy / oncology / nuclear medicine based journals / information. |
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| ADDITIONAL NOTES | Please note that a pass in each assessment component is obligatory for an overall pass mark to be awarded. | ||||||||||||||||
| STUDY-UNIT TYPE | Demos, Ind Study, Fieldwork, Lectures & Tutorials | ||||||||||||||||
| METHOD OF ASSESSMENT |
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| LECTURER/S | Jean Mikhail Bickle Karen Borg Grima Mona Lisa Camilleri David Degiorgio Pierre Demicoli Christopher Fenech Nadine Napoli Natalino Carmelo Pennisi Lara Maria Sammut |
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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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