Explain how CT images are obtained

Discuss the types of CT scanner available for purchase

Describe how to improve the quality of CT images

List the steps required to perform a high-quality post-contrast study

Recognise artefacts and understand how to avoid them

Be familiar with the most commonly used software to read CT studies including how to create the most useful scan reconstructions

Develop your ability to describe & report a CT study methodically

Identify the best CT protocols for the thorax

Recognise the advantages and disadvantages of conscious protocols using radiolucent restraint contraptions

List appropriate contrast protocols to differentiate between pathologies on a CT scan of the thorax

Learn how to interpret various lung pathologies on CT, including lungworm, lung lobe torsion, pulmonary fibrosis, bronchopneumonia, pulmonary thrombolism

Describe the characteristics of pleural effusion on a CT scan and how to interpret a CT scan with pleural effusion

Summarise what abnormalities associated with the heart can be seen on a CT scan including patent ductus arteriosus, aberrant coronary arteries, pericardial effusions and peritoneo-pericardial diaphragmatic hernias

Recognise how neoplastic conditions can be diagnosed including vertebral, chest wall, mediastinal and primary & secondary pulmonary tumours

Discuss how thoracic trauma cases can benefit from thoracic CT

Identify diseases of the pleura, mediastinum and lymph nodes associated with the thorax

Demonstrate good knowledge of the normal anatomy of the thorax

Discuss a variety of thoracic CT scans with the speaker and other delegates to assess the quality of the scan and identify normal variations in anatomy

Describe the steps that should be taken to read a thoracic CT scan methodically and produce a clear and concise report describing your findings

Explain how to differentiate pulmonary metastatic neoplasia from non-neoplastic pulmonary nodules

Be able to reach a precise list of differential diagnoses from a thoracic CT scan

Identify the most appropriate next-steps options to guide the primary case clinician towards a diagnosis

Learn the best CT protocols for the abdomen with an emphasis on dual and triple phase angiography

Be able to recognise and describe portosystemic shunts and other vascular anomalies such as arteriovenous fistulas and thrombosis

Understand when CT is more appropriate than ultrasound for liver and peritoneal diseases

Explain the typical appearance on a CT scan of hepatic tumours and characteristics that allow you to help differentiate benign and malignant neoplasia

Describe the appearance of a normal gallbladder and biliary tract and how CT can help diagnose conditions such as extrahepatic biliary obstruction and gallbladder mucocele

Describe the typical features of splenic neoplasia and how to differentiate from other splenic pathologies such as torsion and thrombosis

Formulate a prioritised differential list for a CT scan showing ascites and justify your opinion

Identify normal and abnormal lymph nodes within the abdomen and be aware of what pathologies can cause lymphadenopathy

Be familiar with abnormalities of the peritoneum/retroperitoneum such as peritonitis, migrating foreign bodies and carcinomatosis

Be familiar and confident with the normal anatomy of the abdominal vasculature, liver and lymphatic abdominal system

Discuss a variety of CT scans with the speaker and other delegates to assess the quality of the scan and identify normal variations in anatomy

Describe the steps that should be taken to read a scan methodically & produce a clear & concise report describing your findings

Assess CT scans of the thorax/abdomen and prepare a thorough & systematic report for each describing the abnormalities identifiable & providing a comprehensive differential diagnosis list

Be familiar and confident with the normal anatomy of the abdominal vasculature, liver and lymphatic abdominal system

Discuss a variety of CT scans with the speaker and other delegates to assess the quality of the scan and identify normal variations in anatomy

Describe the steps that should be taken to read a scan methodically & produce a clear & concise report describing your findings

Assess CT scans of the thorax/abdomen and prepare a thorough & systematic report for each describing the abnormalities identifiable & providing a comprehensive differential diagnosis list

Discuss the CT protocols required for optimal imaging of the head, brain and neck

Demonstrate familiarity with normal anatomy by being able to correctly identify bony and soft tissue structures of the head and neck including the nasal cavity, orbit, aural/oral structures, blood/lymphatic system, masticatory muscles, glandular tissue & pharynx/larynx

Explain what characteristics of a CT scan allow you to differentiate between neoplasia, inflammation and infection to guide referring clinicians to diagnose neoplasia, fungal/chronic rhinitis, masticatory myositis, dental disease and retrobulbar abscesses

Describe what methods can be employed to guide a surgeon when planning surgical margins for tumours of the head and neck in cases such as maxillary or thyroid neoplasia

List the identifying features on a CT scan of a variety of tumours seen in the head and neck such as oral melanoma and squamous cell carcinoma

Systematically review CT scans of trauma patients assessing for fractures of the skull/spine and soft tissue pathology

Describe the CT approach to suspected penetrating stick injuries of the cervical region

Differentiate between otitis externa, media/ interna and be able to identify more significant/unusual pathologies such as para-aural abscessation and cholesteatoma

Review a CT scan of salivary mucocele identifying which salivary gland(s) are most likely to be the cause of the problem

Review the normal anatomy of the brain and spine and how changes on CT can aid differentiating pathologies such as congenital/acquired brain diseases

Understand what clinical cases benefit more from CT versus MRI

Discuss the limitations of using CT in imaging the nervous system

Describe the typical changes seen in the brain and spinal column of trauma cases, understanding where imaging can be useful to guide a prognosis.

List the features seen on CT with inflammatory/infectious/neoplastic diseases of the brain and spine such as hydrocephalus secondary to FIP, granulomatous meningoencephalitis and meningioma

Explain how to differentiate between congenital and acquired spinal lesions including cranial thoracic stenotic myelopathy and vertebral neoplasia

Summarise the technique and pitfalls of CT myelography and how it can be used to aid decision-making in cases of intervertebral disc disease

Discuss a variety of CT scans with the speaker and other delegates to assess the quality of the scan and identify normal variations in anatomy

Describe the steps that should be taken to read a scan methodically and produce a clear and concise report describing your findings

Assess CT scans of the head, neck and neural systems and prepare a thorough and systematic report for each describing the abnormalities identifiable and providing a comprehensive differential diagnosis list

Discuss a variety of CT scans with the speaker and other delegates to assess the quality of the scan and identify normal variations in anatomy

Describe the steps that should be taken to read a scan methodically and produce a clear and concise report describing your findings

Assess CT scans of the head, neck and neural systems and prepare a thorough and systematic report for each describing the abnormalities identifiable and providing a comprehensive differential diagnosis list

Know the appropriate scan techniques and protocols for imaging the appendicular skeleton

List the steps necessary to perform a CT-arthrogram

Review the typical CT changes seen with a variety of elbow conditions including dysplasia & incomplete ossification of the humeral condyle

Describe how to diagnose osteochondritis dissecans of various joints from a CT scan

Explain the CT scan characteristics of inflammatory, erosive, neoplastic & infectious arthropathies

Formulate a methodical way to assess complex fractures such as intra-articular carpal / tarsal fractures from a CT scan

Be familiar with the normal anatomy of tendons and how they appear on a CT scan when they become inflamed e.g. bicipital tenosynovitis

Discuss how a variety of tumours of the musculoskeletal system can appear on a CT scan and features that help guide you to whether they are benign or malignant neoplasias

Identify key characteristics that might make you diagnose an inflammatory condition of the musculoskeletal system such as panosteitis or myositis from a CT scan

Understand the use of CT in assessing antebrachial and femoral deformities

Identify the best CT protocols for scanning the abdomen

Describe how the difference between normal and abnormal gastrointestinal tracts can be determined from a CT scan

Be confident in identifying mechanical obstructions of the intestinal tract

Summarise the typical appearance on a CT scan of a variety of both congenital & acquired hernias including umbilical, inguinal, scrotal, femoral & perineal

Explain how you would determine the significance to the patient of an ‘incidentaloma’ of the adrenal gland & what further testing and/or treatment options might be recommended

List the characteristics seen on CT that can help to differentiate between pancreatic inflammation/infection/neoplasia

Be able to review a CT scan of the urinary tract in a case of neoplasia or obstruction & give appropriate advice on the best course of action for the patient

Assess prostatic size and morphology from a CT scan and advise of most likely causes of any prostatomegaly present

Be familiar and confident with the normal anatomy of the abdominal organs

Describe how to methodically assess the gastrointestinal tract

Explain how to identify pancreatic pathology and how to differentiate pancreatic inflammation from masses

Know how to perform and interpret a CT-IVU study

Be confident in recognising or excluding ectopic ureters

Identify prostatic and uterine pathology and draw up a list of appropriate differential diagnoses

Be familiar and confident with the normal anatomy of the appendicular system

Learn the best CT protocols for the appendicular system including arthrography

Be able to read studies of the appendicular system methodically

Have a good knowledge of the most common pathologies of the limbs and joints

Be familiar and confident with the normal anatomy of the abdominal organs

Describe how to methodically assess the gastrointestinal tract

Explain how to identify pancreatic pathology and how to differentiate pancreatic inflammation from masses

Know how to perform and interpret a CT-IVU study

Be confident in recognising or excluding ectopic ureters

Identify prostatic and uterine pathology and draw up a list of appropriate differential diagnoses

Be familiar and confident with the normal anatomy of the appendicular system

Learn the best CT protocols for the appendicular system including arthrography

Be able to read studies of the appendicular system methodically

Have a good knowledge of the most common pathologies of the limbs and joints

Be able to review a CT scan & prepare a thorough report

Present a case to an audience in PowerPoint format

Discuss your differential diagnosis list and explain why you have reached your conclusions

Describe what steps would be necessary in your case to reach a final diagnosis

Critique your fellow delegates’ reports and justify your opinions on them