Leader: Associate Professor Marilyn Baird

Offered

Clayton Second semester 2008 (Off-campus)

Synopsis

This unit builds on NMS4021 and introduces more nuclear medicine applications. Solutions to more complex problems reflecting the organ or system to be examined, and more sophisticated radiopharmaceutical and equipment requirements will be developed. Cold laboratory procedures and simple radionuclide therapy techniques will also be introduced and the roles of the nuclear medicine scientist with respect to these procedures. The unit content will be given structure and direction by addressing specific learning objectives related to:

1. Radiopharmacy techniques;
2. Diagnostic imaging procedures;
3. Non imaging procedures; and
4. Image processing and display.

Objectives

On successful completion of this unit students will be able to demonstrate and communicate a broad and critical conceptual and practical understanding of:

1. More advanced radiopharmacy techniques, in particular:
1. Radiopharmaceutical calibration and dispensing;
2. Advanced labelling techniques - Idium, Iodine;
3. Radiopharmaceuticals for radionuclide therapy;
4. PET radiopharmaceuticals and biochemistry.
2. More advanced diagnostic imaging procedures including patient preparation, positioning and care, in relation to:
1. Cardiovascular imaging;
2. Oncology;
3. CNS imaging;
4. Endocrine;
5. Planar versus SPECT imaging, considerations and parameters;
6. PET/molecular imaging;
7. Pharmacologic interventions.
3. Non-imaging procedures, in particular:
1. Cold laboratory and in vitro procedures;
2. Blood labelling techniques and considerations;
3. Introduction to haematopoietic procedures;
4. Less common non-imaging studies eg. Schilling test, C14 breath test.
4. Image processing and display:
1. Retrieval and evaluation of data prior to processing;
2. Gated, planar and SPECT image processing;
3. Image archival system, including PACS.

Assessment

Two clinical action plans of approximately 1500 wds and accompanying comparative reports of approximately 1500 wds 40%
One 180 minute written examination 60%.

Prerequisites

Successful completion of all units in year 1 of Master of Medical Radiations (Nuclear Medicine)

Co-requisites

RTS5010