Veterinary Diagnostic Imaging, Regional Anatomy and Radiological Physics

The course aims to provide students theoretical and practical knowledge concerning normal anatomy and pathological changes of body regions and animal cavity of veterinary interesting, through I and II level diagnostic imaging technique. In addition, the course has the purpose to provide notions about the theoretical physics principles of ultrasound and ionizing radiation in biomedical sector and basic principles of radiation safety.

Knowledge and understanding skills: the students have to demonstrate knowledge concerning superficial and deep regional organization of organs and apparatus, considering position, correlation and species difference in physiological condition (topographic anatomy, ultrasound, endoscopy and radiology) and in pathological condition (ultrasound, endoscopy and radiology). The students must be able to discriminate the main ultrasonographic and radiological changes of musculoskeletal, digestive, respiratory and urogenital system of pets and non-conventional, exotics and wildlife animals.
With regard to the equine species, the students have also to demonstrate knowledge about endoscopic technique applied to the diagnosis of respiratory tract disease, including dynamic upper airway obstructions, and urinary tract obstructions, as well as level I and level II diagnostic knowledge in orthopedics' field.
Concerning farm animals, the student's ability to recognize and interpret the main radiographic alterations in the course of skeletal, thoracic and abdominal pathology.
Appling knowledge and understanding: the student must demonstrate that he or she is able to apply the knowledge acquired during the frontal lessons directly to animals and/or bodies or isolated organs. Starting from these bases they will have to be able to identify the normality and the main alterations of ultrasound, endoscopic and radiographic pictures obtained directly on the patient or from digital images in the archive, referring to clinical cases of particular interest and, at the same time, to formulate a differential diagnostic procedure. The student must also demonstrate that he or she is able to put into practice what he or she has learned in the physics module, with regard to the technical aspects of individual diagnostics and the development of image acquisition protocols.
Making judgments: the student will have to demonstrate the ability to examine and discuss critically all the information, both during the frontal lessons and derived from the recommended texts, and to identify the most appropriate technique to solve a given diagnostic question absolutely safe condition for the operator.
Communication: the student must demonstrate the ability to communicate the skills acquired with appropriate and updated terminology, in line with that one used in other disciplines, both during lessons and practical lessons and, where applicable, during the exams.
Life long learning skills: the student must be able to exploit the knowledge acquired to keep constantly updated and face the profession proactively.