Leader: Ms Ruth Druva

Offered

Clayton Second semester 2008 (Day)

Synopsis

Concepts of kilovolts, time, milliamps, distance and exposure technique charts. Image quality factors: geometric, SNR, resolution, MTF, contrast, unsharpness. Principles of quality assurance. Viewing the image and ROC. Principles of computed tomography. The radiographic projections, clinical rationale, positioning methodologies and evaluation criteria for the respiratory system, pelvis, shoulder girdle, vertebral column and bony thorax.

Objectives

On successful completion students should have developed an understanding of and be able to describe:

1. the relationship between mAs and kVp in relation to beam quality and quantity;

2. the four image quality factors of optical density, contrast, image detail and distortion and how they are used to describe the characteristics of a radiograph;

3. techniques that will minimise the effect of the geometry of the x-ray beam upon the radiographic image;

4. principles underpinning computed radiographic systems;

5. exposure systems including automatic - exposure systems;

6. common unit density and unit contrast problems associated with automatic exposure systems;

7. the scientific principles of computed radiography;

8. the concepts of quality assurance and quality control and their application in radiography;

9. the radiographic principles underpinning the projections and body positions utilised for the respiratory system, shoulder girdle and humerus, pelvic girdle, hip joint and femur, vertebral column, bony thorax and abdomen in relation to the relevant anatomy, physical presentation of the patient and clinical indications; and

10. the radiographic criteria to which each diagnostic image should conform.

Assessment

Written examination (3 hours): 60%
Laboratory reports: 20%
One multi-image analysis examination: 20%

Co-requisites

Only available to students enrolled in the Bachelor of Radiography and Medical Imaging.