RAB1400 Computed Tomography (CT) Course description

Language of instruction: Norwegian

Computed tomography (CT) provides great opportunities for accurate and detailed diagnosis, and the number of CT examinations has increased in recent years. It is important for radiographers to have a high level of expertise on CT. The course covers knowledge of radiation protection, dose reduction techniques, patient care, sectional anatomy and image analysis.

The student must have been admitted to the study programme.

After completing the course, the student should have the following learning outcomes defined in terms of knowledge, skills and general competence:   

Knowledge  

The student can

• explain the construction, function and use of CT equipment
• explain the effect of scan parameters, reconstruction parameters and dose modulation on image quality and radiation dose in CT examinations  
• explain how CT images are generated
• explain the processing of CT images, including 2D processing and 3D visualisation 
• describe diseases that are common indications for CT examination 
• explain how patients and laboratories are prepared for contrast CT examinations
• describe the main content of national and international legislation, regulations and guides that regards with radiation protection in CT
• describe principles and methods for quality control and calibration of CT 
• explain how radiation from natural sources and medical procedures contribute to the radiation dose of patients and the population in particular 
• describe the effect of ionising radiation on cells and DNA 
• describe the risks associated with ionising and non-ionising radiation
• describe simple quality control procedures for CT 

Skills  

The student can  

• recognise normal anatomy and obvious pathology in CT images  
• calculate effective dose based on the dose length product (DLP)  
• compare radiation doses from CT examinations with national diagnostic reference levels
• apply various image processing methods 

General competence   

The student can

• discuss the possibilities and limitations of CT in a national and international perspective

Work and teaching methods include lectures, seminars, skills training, report-writing and self-study. In seminars, the students work in groups. This course uses digital learning resources in the form of video lectures, digital tests and exercises.

The following must have been approved before the student can take the exam:  

• a minimum attendance of 80 % at scheduled seminars and skills training sessions 
• individual multiple choice test in accordance with set criteria

Supervised individual written exam, combination of multiple choice and free text assignments, 3 hours 

The course focuses on the oral biological environment. It imparts knowledge of the biology of the oral cavity and its anatomical structures such as teeth, jaw joints and facial muscles. Dental morphology provides knowledge of the macroscopic anatomy of teeth.

The course looks at the relationship between the anatomical structures of the oral cavity, salivary glands and oral fluids. Through case studies and introductory work processes related to prosthetics, the dental technologist's need for morphological knowledge is introduced. This knowledge is intended to produce an overall understanding of normal conditions in the oral cavity.

Division of credits in the course. Theory 7 and skills training 8.

The student must have been admitted to the study programme.

After completing the course, the student should have the following learning outcomes defined in terms of knowledge and skills:

Knowledge

The student can

• explain the oral cavity’s normal anatomy and function, and has a fundamental knowledge about the most common biological reactions
• name the various developmental stages of human teeth
• explain teeth’s macroscopic anatomy, anatomical variations and dental nomenclature
• describe the individual teeth in the permanent dentition
• explain the structure and function of the jaw joint
• describe the muscles of the head and neck, with emphasis on muscle insertions and function
• explain the structure and function of the oral mucosa, salivary glands and saliva and describe the interaction between the anatomical structures of the oral cavity and oral fluids
• explain the purpose and prerequisites for making impressions and models

Skills

The student can

• make a functional work model and antagonist model to fixed prosthetics in acceptable quality
• make a functional individual dental impression spoon
• make functional plaster models and pertaining bite plates for bite registration of acceptable quality
• recreate a fully anatomical wax crown with adequate recognisable morphology

The work and teaching methods vary between lectures, demonstration lectures, seminars, skills training and self-study. For parts of the teaching, the flipped classroom method is used in which digital learning resources are made available for the students in advance. Student work comprises written and practical assignments, individually and in groups. In seminars, subject matter can be presented both by students and lecturers for discussion.