This course aims to build basic knowledge of the respiratory system and develop elementary skills and competencies as an introduction to the subject. Specifically, at the end of the course, students will be able to: - Navigate the field of respiratory system radiology; in particular, they will be able to distinguish between the different radiological techniques used to study respiratory system pathologies. - Understand the main diagnostic imaging methods used to study respiratory system pathologies.
Course Prerequisites
Prerequisites include knowledge of human anatomy; knowledge of medical and surgical pathology is also useful.
Teaching Methods
The course is based on lectures with the use of slides. To promote critical thinking and guide students in interpreting images, clinical cases treated with different respiratory radiology techniques are presented and discussed collectively.
Assessment Methods
At the end of the course, there will be an exam, which may be oral or written (quiz), depending on the case.
Contents
Review of anatomy and physiology • Anatomy of the chest • Lungs, bronchi, pleura, mediastinum • Normal radiological anatomy
Conventional radiology techniques • Chest X-ray: PA, LL, AP • Special projections • Patient positioning • Technical parameters (kV, mAs, SID) • Artifacts and their prevention
Radiation protection and optimization • ALARA principle • Patient and operator protection • Dosimetry in chest radiology CT of the respiratory system • Clinical indications • Standard chest CT and HRCT • Acquisition techniques Contrast medium (role of the TSRM) • Basic post-processing (MPR, MIP) Thoracic pathology (technical approach) • Opacities and effusions • Obstructive pathologies • Lung neoplasms • Interstitial pathology
Thoracic emergencies • Pneumothorax • Pulmonary embolism (role of the TSRM in CT) • Thoracic trauma
Image quality and quality control • X-ray and CT quality criteria • Frequent errors • Audit and continuous improvement
More information
Reference text: “Manual of Diagnostic Imaging and Radiotherapy” by Giorgio Cittadini. “Radiological Anatomy - Techniques and Methodologies Preparatory to Diagnostic Imaging” by Fernando Mazzuccato.
Students can contact the instructor with any questions or requests for information by email at federico.fontana@uninsubria.it. The instructor maintains direct telephone contact with the student representative.
