Radiology

140.03: DIAGNOSTIC RADIOLOGY, PARN - Richard Breiman, M.D.

Tier 2. Comprehensive review of the principles of diagnostic image interpretation and guidelines for appropriate utilization of imaging techniques. This is accomplished in a small group setting in the Radiology Learning Center. Self-instructional learning (teaching files, CDROM, web-based syllabus) is accompanied by lectures, case-based problem solving and exhibits given by the Radiology faculty. A PowerPoint presentation on a topic of your choice that involves some aspect of imaging is presented to the group.

This is a brief description of the elective:

This clerkship aims to help students learn the place of radiology in clinical medicine, the kind of help they can expect from consulting a radiologist or requesting an examination when confronted with a given clinical problem. While a large amount of learning material is available (sufficient for an intensive learning experience of ten or twelve weeks), the purpose of this material is to illustrate radiological pathology.

This is not a course confined to radiological interpretation. Students cannot expect to be able to establish radiological diagnoses at the end of their four weeks in our department, but they will be able to recognize gross abnormalities on films specially selected for this purpose and thereby, gain confidence (as well as increased competence) in their approach to interpretation of images.

Students who have completed the radiology clerkship successfully can be expected to have elementary knowledge of: physical factors that govern radiological imaging; contract materials, their uses and hazards; radiological procedures and examination of the chest, (lungs, heart, diaphragm, mediastinum), abdomen (plain films of the abdomen, contrast , examinations of CT of the abdomen, bones and joints, and an introduction to interventional radiology; some gross radiological findings (e.g. increased or decreased volume in one hemithorax; mediastinal shift; pneumothorax; pleural effusion; cardiomegaly; mediastinal masses; diseases of the esophagus, stomach, colon, and biliary tree; small bowel obstruction; large bowel obstruction; simple, comminuted, and pathological fractures, etc.); some procedures in nuclear medicine and some indications for such procedures; an understanding of the rationale for ordering sequence of radiological examinations and appropriateness of radiological imaging in defined clinical situations.
Course Objectives: Develop approaches to interpretation of chest, abdomen and bone x-rays, CT scans of the head, chest, abdomen, MRI of spine and joints. Be able to indicate the appropriate imaging techniques for common problems encountered in clinical medicine. Using self-instructional teaching files and case-based problem solving seminars, be able to identify radiographic abnormalities and provide a differential diagnosis for their appearance.
Common Problems/Diseases: Full spectrum of clinical medicine.
Recommended Text or Reading: Web-based Radiology 100 syllabus
Call Schedule/Weekends: each student takes call one evening with a radiology resident
Grading: Pass/Fail
Prerequisites: Medicine 110 and Surgery 110 or equivalent
Quarters Taught: Fa 1, Wi & 2, Sp 1
Location: Parnassus
Minimum Weeks Offered: 4
Maximum Students per Block: 9
Contact Name: RandyOrtega
Contact Phone: 476-2817
Location to report to: 9am, Radiology Learning Center, C309
Comments: effective 3/27/09: rad 140.03 will only be offered 6/8/09, 8/31/09 and 9/28/09. PLEASE NOTE: DUE TO SCHEDULED LECTURES, ATTENDANCE AND ARRIVING ON TIME IS VERY IMPORTANT. ALSO, WE STRICTLY ADHERE TO THE SOM POLICY RE: MISSED DAYS -- 1 DAY PER BLOCK WITH ADVANCE PERMISSION FROM INSTRUCTOR. NOT OFFERED: FALL 4 09; WINTER 1 09.