Radiology Degrees Online

Analog images in healthcare services are almost history. Today almost all diagnostic imaging modalities (CT, MR, Ultrasound, etc.), storage, distribution and viewing are digital based. A necessary condition for this development to benefit patients and society as a whole is, however, that the personnel operating the equipment have proper knowledge and skills to utilize it properly and in an optimal way, and also be able to control and audit its quality. This is particularly so for X-ray based modalities. The increasing use of X-ray based imaging (Computed Tomography, Computed radiography) has refocused attention also on the negative effects of ionizing radiation, as expressed by the radiographers mantra: ALARA (As Low As Reasonably Achievable). The important challenge for the radiographer is to provide diagnostic images which are good enough, and thus not necessarily as good as possible. To achieve this goal of image optimization demands competence within core areas such as the formation, processing, analysis, viewing and quality of digital images, 3D reconstruction, Computer Aided Radiology (CAR), etc, and also some knowledge of related areas such as scientific methods and statistics, evidence based radiography, etc
Contents of the study

The aim of the study program is for the radiographer and others with proper background, to develop further competence within digital imaging technology, image quality assessment and image optimization, and to stimulate him/her to acquire a critical attitude and a problem solving skills within the field. Emphasis will be placed on supplying the students with a technological and methodological knowledge which may form basis also for later skill developments.

After finalizing the students shall:
have developed their view on possibilities and limitations of digital imaging
be able to assess the usefulness of image processing tools
be able to assess clinical image quality criteria through electronic literature search and critical evaluation of findings, be able to acquire and properly use “evidence based knowledge”
be able to evaluate the quality of the whole imaging chain: acquisition, transfer, archiving, retrieving, viewing, and the impact of the human observer as a decision maker
enhanced ability to choose optimal exposure and image processing parameters, i.e. maximizing the image information extraction in combination with minimum dose
have basic knowledge as to execute research and development within medical x-ray imaging, including choice of methods, presentation and discussion and of results
have necessary competence for further gaining and assessment of new knowledge within medical imaging techniques
Some selected topics
basic introduction to the anatomy of digital images
image acquisition and formation (sampling and quantization)
detectors, preprocessing, compression and image formats
basis image statistics (statistical distributions and measures, photon statistics, noise, geometric resolution and contrast)
image enhancement and processing
image analysis (ROI measurements, texture, feature extraction)
image synthesis (image arithmetic, transforms, 3D imaging, image sequences)
histogram techniques (including LUTs), monitors
viewing conditions (particularly ambient lighting), perception and the human eye
technical quality parameters (signal-to-noise ratio, contrast-to-noise ratio, contrast-detail, MTF, NPS, DQE)
quality limitations as a result of the anatomical background signals
clinical image quality criteria, image optimization
diagnostic requirements in projection radiography
assessment of total image quality in relation to clinical, technical and operator conditions
procedures, references, recommendations and guidelines for digital radiography
methods for operator evaluation (ROC-analysis, ..)
basic principles of Computer Assisted Radiology
evidence based radiography