Ultrasound Imaging/Computerised Tomography

At the end of this course, the students should be able to: 1. describe cross-sectional anatomy of various parts of the body; 2. state the functions and protocols adopted for sonographic scan of abdo-pelvic region for medical, surgical, gynaecological and obstetric conditions; 3. describe sonography scans of neonatal anomaly and small part organs; 4. explain the basic terminologies associated with CT; 5. describe its instrumentation and the protocols adopted for CT scans of various parts of the body; and 6. apply the safety considerations and associated information technologies.

Common ultrasound terminologies. Normal Pelvic Anatomy: Uterus – anatomy and ultrasound examination. Vagina – sonographic appearance. Ovaries – Anatomy to include shape, size in prepubertal, menstrual and post menstrual stages. Supporting structures – Divisions of the pelvis ie true & false pelvis, location and functions of supporting muscular structures. Sites of fluid accumulation – anterior and posterior cul-de-sac, space of Retzius and fornices. Vasculature – roles of uterine and ovanian arteries. Physiology: Menstrual Cycle – role of the pituitary gland in menstruation should be stated. pregnancy Test – indicators of pregnancy. Fertilisation – formation of embryo. Infertility and Endocrinology. Contraceptives. Sonographic findings with IUCDs. First Trimester: Gestational Sac – embryology of the gestational sac. Sonographic findings of gestational sac development: Yolk Sac, Ovaries (corpus Luteum), Pregnancy failure – Fetal demise, anembryonic pregnancy (blighted ovum), threatened abortion, inevitable, missed, habitual, complete/spontenous abortion. Ectopic pregnancy. Sonographic examination in the first trimester. Determination of presence or absence of fetal life. Determination of fetal number. Simple description of common artifacts and their origin, Dosimetry, bio effects regulations and standard of practice, quality assurance and equipment specifications. Second and Third Trimester (Normal Anatomy): Basic guidelines for obstetric sonograms. Fetal biometry, Basic survey of fetal anatomy to rule out abnormality. Evaluation of fetal Cranium, Spine, Heart, abdominal organs and limbs Abdominal Sonography: Liver, Structure and Anatomy: Sonographic appearances in normal and disease conditions. Biliary Tree: Anatomy of the gall bladder, nature & function of the Bile ducts, Bile and splincter of odds should be stressed. Normal anatomical variants – functional fold, Phrygian cap, Hertmann’spouh, Scanning techniques d. Indications & laboratory values. Pancreas: Anatomy – subdivisions, Pancreatic ducts; duct of wirsung, ducts of santorim, blood supply, functions – endocrine & exocrine systems. Scanning techniques & laboratory values. Introduction to Computed Tomography: Basic terminology, Components – imaging, computer and display systems, Digital image processing overview, Image manipulation. Overview of imaging parameters; Protocol selection, Motion reduction. Overview of clinical applications of CT, Information gained, Pathology demonstrated, Basic positioning guidelines. Patient and personal safety: Radiation dose considerations, Table weight limits, Pregnancy, Emergency in the scanning area, Contraindications to patient scanning. Computer Technology: Review of Computers and their operation, Digital Image Processing; CT Components: Equipment and Software: Data acquisition and Reconstruction: Acquisition methods, Spiral CT, Scanogram, Technical Factors, Image Quality/Manipulation, Radiation Dose, Artifacts, Correcting Suboptimal Images, Display/Recording/Storage and Quality Assurance.