LEARNING OUTCOMES
THEORY
On completion of the course the student will know:
- Basic principles of anatomy and the gross pathological physiology of all systems of the body. (for understanding the mechanisms of uptake).
- The factors affecting the uptake of each radiopharmaceutical by body system
- Good use and control of the gamma Camera – (conventional or SPECT) with single or multiple collimators – together with good use of computers (PCs).
a. Basic projections (exposures) per system. – Image processing
b. Additional exposures per pathological case which will be performed under the guidance of the physician. - Basic knowledge of PET/CT
- Receive simple (mini) medical history.
- Preparation of radiopharmaceuticals in Hot Laboratory.
- Techniques of image recording
- Radiaton protection of the patient –staff- environment
HOSPITAL PLACEMENT
- Detailed knowledge of all equipment and image processing on work station
- Perform all projections per disease.
- Learn to take mini Medical History.
- Ethics and deontology in the Nuclear Medicine Department.
- Storage and removal of old generators (sources). Handling radioactive waste.
- Radiation protection of area and staff.
SYLLABUS
THEORY
1. Diagnostic and therapeutic applications of radioisotopes in the investigation of the urinary tract. Types of radio pharmaceuticals – Radioisotope uptake – Doses. Patient preparation. Dynamic and static imaging in the normal patient. Investigation of urinary obstruction, hypertensive renovascular disease, acute tubular necrosis, chronic renal failure, tumors vesicoureteric reflux, renal transplantation.
2. Radio pharmaceuticals and imaging techniques for brain diseases – Investigation of cerebrovascular disease, neurodegenerative diseases ( dementia, Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson) epilepsy and brain death – radionuclide cisternography.-image interpretation.
3. Radio pharmaceuticals techniques and protocols for imaging the myocardium. Stress and Rest protocols. Preparation and use of imaging equipment. – Types and procedure of pharmacological Stress. – patient preparation -image recording, processing, and interpretation of the results. Radionuclide ventriculography – Clinical applications. Ischemic disease – myocardial infarction- myocardial viability control.
4. Diagnostic approaches in oncology – Imaging using Ga-67, Tl-201, Tc-99m Sestamibi, I-131 (I-123) MIBG, In-111 Octreotide
5. Proton Emission Tomography. Fusion imaging with Positron emission tomography (PET/CT ) – Tracers, Basics of F-18 and C-11Role18F-FDG –patient preparationtechnical characteristics-Image processing- result analysis
6. PET Indications for Oncology (Head and neck Ca -Lung Ca-Breast Ca –Lymphomas – Digestive tract tumors -Brain tumors), paediatric oncology
7. Indications of PET/CT in Neurology
8. Indications of PET/CT in Cardiology
HOSPITAL PLACEMENT
Placement in tertiary referral centers. Training in all details of the preparation of radio pharmaceuticals (in the Hot Lab) and executing scintigraphs of various body organs for investigation of benign and malignant diseases. Role of the Radiographer in the Department of Nuclear Medicine. Cooperation with all staff in the department.