MRP4014 - Multislice CT and clinical decision making 1

Leader: Associate Professor Marilyn Baird

Offered

Clayton First semester 2008 (Off-campus)
Clayton Second semester 2008 (Off-campus)

Synopsis

Dose minimisation strategies, safety and quality assurance issues related to multislice CT. Virtual colonoscopy, perfusion studies, CT angiography, biopsy and drainage procedures. Common disorders affecting defined organs and structure and basic CT interpretation principles. Methods for the communication of a radiographic opinion to the broader health care team. Inter-professional and patient communication.

Objectives

On successful completion of this unit students will be able to:

1. Explain the basic principles underpinning advanced digital image processing, image distribution, data transfer and storage options used in specialised applications in medical digital imaging (such as scan reconstruction, 3 dimensional reconstruction, network architectures and DICOM standard for image exchange);
2. Describe the display format and possible file formats of medical images, including DICOM;
3. Evaluate the technological strengths and weaknesses offered by an 8, 16, 32, and 64 multislice CT scanner with comparison to single slice helical in relation to CT;
4. Implement evidence based multislice imaging protocols for the lung and upper respiratory tract, the renal tract, gastrointestinal tract, liver and biliary tract, the pancreas and the haematopoietic and lymphoid systems that take into account dose minimisation strategies, the clinical indications and a duty of care to the patient;
5. Describe, implement and evaluate multislice CT angiography (CTA) taking into account the provision of high quality patient care within a team work environment;
6. Describe, implement and evaluate CT imaging protocols utilised in perfusion studies, biopsy and drainage procedures taking into account the provision of high quality patient care within a team work environment;
7. Describe, implement and evaluate the imaging protocols utlised in multislice virtual colonoscopy taking into account the provision of high quality patient care within a team work environment;
8. Produce and evaluate high quality diagnostic reconstructed images from a CTA and a liver study through the competent use of advanced workstations;
9. Demonstrate an understanding of the postulated causative mechanisms underpinning common disorders affecting the lung and upper respiratory tract, the renal tract, gastrointestinal tract, liver and biliary tract, the pancreas and the haematopoietic and lymphoid systems;
10. Describe and communicate the CT appearances of a range of common disorders affecting the lung and upper respiratory tract, the renal tract, gastrointestinal tract, liver and biliary tract, the pancreas and the haematopoietic and lymphoid systems;
11. Describe the appropriate quality assurance measures in relation to multislice CT;
12. Demonstrate problem-solving and teamwork skills in relation to the utilisation of multi-slice CT in the clinical setting;
13. Demonstrate the characteristics of critical and reflective practitioners operating within a dynamic socio-political and economically driven health care environment;
14. Demonstrate information and technological literacy skills, written communication skills and the capacity to apply critical thought and analysis to workplace CT issues.

Assessment

Two case reports and accompanying comparative reports 15%
Three cased based image analysis and recognition tests 30%
Completion of an Advanced Practice Multislice CT Clinical Workbook 55%

Prerequisites

MRP4002 , MRP4003, MRP4010, MRP4011 and MRP4012