Ateneo - UPO

The course covers:
physical and technological principles of the main diagnostic imaging modalities; conventional radiography and digital radiology; computed tomography (CT); magnetic resonance imaging (MRI); ultrasound; breast imaging; dental and maxillofacial radiology, where relevant; nuclear medicine and key hybrid modalities, with particular reference to PET/CT and SPECT; contrast agents and their main indications, contraindications, and adverse reactions; principles of radiation protection for patients and staff; appropriateness of referrals and selection of imaging modalities; clinical-radiological interpretation of key pathological findings; imaging of major disorders affecting the respiratory, cardiovascular, gastrointestinal, hepatobiliary, genitourinary, musculoskeletal, and neurological systems; emergency imaging; oncologic imaging and staging principles; and the role of imaging in the diagnostic-therapeutic pathway and follow-up.

By the end of the course, the student will be able to:
understand the fundamental principles of the main diagnostic imaging modalities; understand the indications, contraindications, advantages, and limitations of radiography, ultrasound, CT, and MRI; correlate radiological findings with clinical and laboratory data; recognize normal appearances and the most common pathological abnormalities; apply appropriateness criteria when requesting imaging examinations; understand the fundamental principles of radiation protection;
understand the main indications and issues associated with the administration of contrast agents; identify key clinical situations where imaging plays a primary diagnostic role;
develop an integrated clinical-radiological approach to the patient.

Familiarity with the fundamental concepts of the following subjects is recommended:
human anatomy (with particular reference to topographic and radiological anatomy), physiology, general pathology, pathological anatomy, basic pharmacology, medical semiotics, and the general principles of internal medicine and major clinical disciplines.
Basic knowledge of physics is also useful, particularly regarding ionizing radiation, electromagnetic waves, and the phenomena of interaction between radiation and matter.