Anatomy
Pathophysiology
Physics
American College of Veterinary Radiology
Rad Bio & Artifacts
Special Procedures
2011 Preliminary Examination Objectives
Alternate Imaging
The Prelminary Examination Objectives pertain to the dog, cat and horse unless otherwise noted.
1. Anatomy (1.*.*.*)
1. General (1.1.*)
1. Current anatomic nomenclature will be used in questions and expected in answers (1.1.1)
2. Candidates must be familiar with current anatomic terminology (Nomina Anatomica Veterinaria, 5th edition,
available for download at http://www.wava-amav.org/Downloads/nav_2005.pdf ) (1.1.2)
3. Radiographs, CT, MRI, and US images will be used in questions (1.1.3)
2. Musculoskeletal System (canine, feline and equine) (1.2.*.*)
1. General bone formation and growth (1.2.1)
2. Ages at which ossification centers fuse (1.2.2.*)
1. long bones (1.2.2.1)
2. vertebrae (1.2.2.2)
3. Blood supply of long bones (1.2.3.*)
1. immature and mature (1.2.3.1)
2. differences in large animal versus small animal immature long bone blood supply (1.2.3.2)
3. Axial Skeleton (canine, feline and equine) (1.3.*)
1. Topographic features of vertebrae in all spinal segments (1.3.1)
2. Topographic features of bones of the skull and mandible as well as dentition and how dentition changes
with age (1.3.2)
3. Sinuses, sinus communications and relationships (1.3.3)
4. Topographic features of the pelvis (1.3.4)
5. Formulae for the vertebral column, sternum and ribs (including bovine and porcine) (1.3.5)
4. Appendicular Skeleton (canine, feline and equine) (1.4.*.*)
1. Topographic features of the long bones and joints as seen on radiographs (including avian, bovine, and
porcine) (1.4.1)
2. Proximal and distal attachments of the major muscles, tendons, and ligaments associated with the thoracic
and pelvic limbs (1.4.2.*)
1. On radiographs of the thoracic and pelvic limbs, understand the topographic features of the skeleton
relative to the proximal and distal attachments of major muscles, tendons, and ligaments (1.4.2.1)
2. Radiographic and cross-sectional anatomy and relationships (1.4.2.2)
3. Transverse and sagittal anatomy of the equine distal extremity, metacarpus/tarsus, common calcaneal and
biceps tendons (canine and equine) (1.4.3)
5. Arthrology (canine, feline and equine) (1.5.*.*)
1. Classification and topographic features of joints of the head, vertebral column and limbs (1.5.1.*)
1. Relationship, structure and function of ligaments and intervertebral discs of the vertebral column
(1.5.1.1)
2. Presence and function of menisci (1.5.1.2)
2. Sesamoid bones and their relationship to the joints (1.5.2)
3. Understanding of the structures that are accentuated on various radiographic projections (e.g. flexed
lateral-medial carpus) (1.5.3)
4. Comparative arthrology of the bones and joint compartments for the stifle, carpus and tarsus (1.5.4)
5. Radiographic and cross-sectional anatomy and relationships (1.5.5)
6. Cardiovascular System (canine, feline and equine) (1.6.*.*)
1. Embryology of the cardiovascular system to understand the development of common malformations of the
heart and great vessels (1.6.1)
Page 1 / 18
2. Differences between fetal and neonatal circulation (1.6.2)
3. Arteries arising from aortic arch and common congenital malformations (1.6.3.*)
1. double aortic arch, persistent right aortic arch, aberrant left subclavian artery and aortic coarctation
(1.6.3.1)
4. Vascular supply to the brain (1.6.4)
5. Vertebral vascular system (1.6.5)
6. Branches of the abdominal aorta (1.6.6)
7. Blood supply of the canine and feline liver, spleen, kidneys, and pancreas (1.6.7)
8. Blood supply to thoracic and pelvic limbs (1.6.8.*)
1. major arterial blood supply and venous drainage (1.6.8.1)
2. understand supply from aorta to manus/pes and drainage to the cranial or caudal vena cava (1.6.8.2)
9. Portal venous system (hepatic) (1.6.9.*)
1. normal (1.6.9.1)
2. congenital and acquired shunts (1.6.9.2)
3. normal and abnormal angiographic studies of the hepatic portal circulation (1.6.9.3)
10. Common cardiac developmental anatomy and defects (1.6.10.*)
1. patent ductus arteriosus (1.6.10.1)
2. atrial and ventricular septal defects (1.6.10.2)
3. valvular stenosis (1.6.10.3)
4. atrioventricular dysplasias (1.6.10.4)
5. endocardial cushion defects and conotruncal defects (1.6.10.5)
6. Tetralogy and pentalogy of Fallot (1.6.10.6)
7. persistent left cranial vena cava (1.6.10.7)
8. Normal and abnormal, selective and non-selective angiocardiography (1.6.10.8)
9. Normal and abnormal echocardiographic anatomy (1.6.10.9)
7. Nervous System (canine, feline and equine) (1.7.*.*)
1. Anatomical relationships of spinal cord, spinal nerves and meninges (1.7.1.*)
1. brachial and lumbosacral plexus (1.7.1.1)
2. major components and innervations of the nerves that originate from these plexus (1.7.1.2)
2. Segmental spinal nerve origins, location of exit from the vertebral canal and the function of the spinal
nerves. (1.7.2)
3. Ventricular system of the brain (1.7.3)
4. Distribution of nerves in the distal extremity of the thoracic and pelvic equine limbs as related to common
nerve blocks performed (1.7.4)
5. Anatomy of the brain, brain stem, including the cranial nerves and spinal cord that can be recognized with
cross-sectional imaging (CT, MRI or US) (1.7.5)
6. Radiographic, CT, and MR anatomy of the skull (1.7.6)
7. General understanding of neurologic examination and lesion localization (1.7.7)
8. Origin of cranial nerves and their function (1.7.8)
9. Anatomy of the organs of special sense (1.7.9)
8. Digestive System (canine, feline and equine) (1.8.*.*)
1. Normal anatomic relationships of gastrointestinal tract with all other abdominal organs (including bovine
and porcine) (1.8.1)
2. Comparative anatomy of the ileo-ceco-colic region (1.8.2)
3. Anatomy of the liver, gallbladder, and pancreas (1.8.3.*)
1. Comparative anatomy of the bile duct and pancreatic ducts (1.8.3.1)
9. Respiratory System (canine, feline, equine) (1.9.*)
1. Oropharynx, nasopharynx, laryngeal cartilage and hyoid apparatus (1.9.1)
2. Guttural pouches and their anatomic relationships as viewed on routine radiographs and computed
tomography or magnetic resonance - equine (1.9.2)
3. Bronchial tree and lung lobes - compare between species (including bovine and porcine) (1.9.3)
Page 2 / 18
4. Vascular supply of the lung (1.9.4)
5. Pleural layers (1.9.5)
6. Mediastinal anatomy and degree of development/fenestrations (1.9.6)
7. Avian air sac anatomy and connection with primary pulmonary structures (airways, lung, etc.) (1.9.7)
10. Urogenital (canine, feline, equine) (1.10.*.*)
1. Anatomy of the kidney, ureter, and lower urinary tract and the relationship to reproductive organs (1.10.1)
2. Embryology of the urogenital system (1.10.2.*)
1. development of the kidneys, ureters, and urinary bladder (1.10.2.1)
2. development of gonadal structures (1.10.2.2)
3. Malformations of the urogenital system including ectopic ureter, pseudohermaphroditism, renal
agenesis, uterus masculinus, and cryptorchidism. (1.10.2.3)
3. Avian normal urogenital anatomy (1.10.3)
11. Endocrine system (1.11.*)
1. Adrenal glands (1.11.1)
2. Endocrine pancreas (1.11.2)
3. Thyroid and parathyroid glands (1.11.3)
4. Hypothalamus and pituitary gland (1.11.4)
12. Miscellaneous (canine, feline, equine) (1.12.*)
1. Positioning and postural influences on the radiographic appearance of the thorax and abdomen (1.12.1)
2. Effects of inhalation vs. exhalation on anatomic relationships and appearances (1.12.2)
3. Location of lymph nodes and drainage patterns (1.12.3)
4. Cross sectional anatomy (transverse, sagittal and dorsal plane) of the head, axial skeleton, pharynx/larynx,
thorax and abdomen (1.12.4)
2. Physiology and Pathophysiology of Specific Organ Systems (2.*.*.*.*)
1. Alimentary (2.1.*.*)
1. Pathophysiology of common disorders of the gastrointestinal tract (2.1.1)
2. Physiologic mechanisms of gastro-intestinal tract function (oral, esophageal, gastric, intestinal, colonic)
(2.1.2.*)
1. Propulsion and bolus formation, esophageal and intestinal motility (2.1.2.1)
2. Hormonal control and alimentary reflexes (e.g., gastrocolic) as they apply to motility and secretion
control (2.1.2.2)
3. Vomiting vs. regurgitation - applicable pathophysiology (2.1.3)
4. Diarrhea - applicable pathophysiology related to small intestinal versus large intestinal diarrhea (2.1.4)
5. Transit times in normal and disease states (2.1.5)
6. Ileus (2.1.6.*)
1. Causes and types - mechanical vs. functional (2.1.6.1)
2. Pathophysiology (2.1.6.2)
7. Gastric dilatation/torsion/volvulus complex (2.1.7.*)
1. Possible etiologic factors (2.1.7.1)
2. Systemic and local pathophysiologic alterations (2.1.7.2)
3. Basis of radiographic appearance (2.1.7.3)
8. Pancreas (2.1.8.*)
1. Normal exocrine and endocrine physiology (2.1.8.1)
2. Pathophysiology of exocrine diseases associated with the pancreas (2.1.8.2)
3. Pathophysiology of endocrine diseases associated with the pancreas (2.1.8.3)
9. Hepatobiliary System (2.1.9.*)
1. Normal physiology (2.1.9.1)
2. Pathophysiology of common disorders of the hepatobiliary system (2.1.9.2)
2. Cardiovascular System (2.2.*.*)
1. Hemodynamics, flow, timing, and pressure relationships (2.2.1)
Page 3 / 18
2. Origin, source and significance of heart sounds as well as normal values for cardiac pressures and blood
gas evaluations. (2.2.2)
3. Interrelationship and correlation of the above for the normal cardiac cycle and for abnormal cardiac
conditions (2.2.3)
4. Coronary blood flow (2.2.4)
5. Starling's Law of the Heart (2.2.5)
6. Congenital and acquired cardiovascular diseases (2.2.6.*)
1. Common clinical signs (2.2.6.1)
7. Mechanisms and pathophysiologic effects of congestive heart failure (2.2.7)
8. Pericardial disease and effect on cardiac function (2.2.8)
9. Pathophysiology of canine and feline heart worm infection (2.2.9.*)
1. Cardiopulmonary effects (2.2.9.1)
10. Vascular anomalies-hemodynamics: clinical signs and pathophysiology (2.2.10.*)
1. Portosystemic shunts (2.2.10.1)
2. Arteriovenous malformations (2.2.10.2)
3. Infarction of major vessels and downstream organs (2.2.10.3)
4. Arterial and venous embolism/thrombus (2.2.10.4)
11. Lymphatic system (2.2.11.*)
1. Physiology of lymph production and flow (2.2.11.1)
2. Pathophysiology of diseases of the lymphatic and mononuclear phagocytic systems (2.2.11.2)
3. Central Nervous System (2.3.*.*)
1. Spinal cord (2.3.1.*)
1. Pathophysiology of common causes of spinal cord disorders including, but not limited to: intervertebral
disc disease, hemorrhage, fibrocartilaginous embolism, neoplasia, developmental disorders (2.3.1.1)
2. Embryonic derivation of spinal and vertebral components germane to clinically encountered congenital
disease (2.3.1.2)
2. Brain (2.3.2.*)
1. Production, flow and resorption of cerebrospinal fluid (2.3.2.1)
2. Pathophysiology of vascular accidents/infarctions (2.3.2.2)
3. Pathophysiology of common brain diseases including but not limited to anomalies, inflammatory
processes, and tumors (2.3.2.3)
4. Musculoskeletal System (2.4.*.*.*)
1. Bone (2.4.1.*.*)
1. Physiologic sequence and mechanism of fracture healing (2.4.1.1)
2. Pathophysiology of bone disease (2.4.1.2.*)
1. metabolic and congenital diseases (2.4.1.2.1)
2. abnormal fracture healing (non-union, delayed union, malunion) (2.4.1.2.2)
3. infection of bone (2.4.1.2.3)
4. bone infarcts and avascular necrosis (2.4.1.2.4)
5. periosteal and periarticular new bone formation (2.4.1.2.5)
6. neoplasia (2.4.1.2.6)
3. Bone diseases of unknown etiology (2.4.1.3)
2. Cartilage (2.4.2.*)
1. Physiology of cartilage growth, development and repair (2.4.2.1)
2. Pathophysiology of osteochondrosis and osteochondritis dissecans (2.4.2.2)
3. Joints (2.4.3.*)
1. Pathophysiology of degenerative joint disease, including radiographic features of degenerative joint
disease and an understanding of how each of the described changes occur (2.4.3.1)
2. Pathophysiology of immune-mediated, infectious, neoplastic and traumatic joint disease (2.4.3.2)
4. Muscle (2.4.4)
5. Respiratory System (2.5.*.*)
Page 4 / 18
1. Normal respiration (2.5.1.*)
1. Lung perfusion and physiologic responses to lung diseases (2.5.1.1)
2. Methods of oxygen and carbon dioxide transport (2.5.2.*)
1. General understanding of the blood gas profile (pH, PO2, pCO2, HCO3, base excess/deficit) (2.5.2.1)
2. Normal physiology of pleural fluid formation and resorption (2.5.2.2)
3. Pathophysiology of common respiratory diseases including but not limited to… (2.5.3.*)
1. Dyspnea and stridor and their pathophysiologic effects on the thoracic wall, pleural space, upper
respiratory system and bronchi, lungs, pulmonary vasculature and diaphragm. (2.5.3.1)
2. Pulmonary thromboembolic disease (2.5.3.2)
3. Pleural effusions (2.5.3.3)
4. Infectious and inflammatory disease (2.5.3.4)
5. Neoplasia (2.5.3.5)
6. Mediastinal disease (2.5.3.6)
6. Urogenital System (2.6.*.*)
1. Renal function (2.6.1.*)
1. Mechanism of urine production (2.6.1.1)
2. Methods of renal function assessment (2.6.1.2)
3. Interpretation of abnormal renal function tests (BUN, creatinine, note species differences between
canine, feline and equine) (2.6.1.3)
4. Role of the kidney in the maintenance of blood pressure/electrolytes (2.6.1.4)
5. Renin-angiotensin-aldosterone pathways (2.6.1.5)
6. Erythropoietin and endocrine functions (2.6.1.6)
2. Organ, hormonal and mineral inter-relationships (2.6.2.*)
1. Interrelations of kidneys, liver, intestine, bone, parathyroid and thyroid gland on Vitamin D, calcium
and phosphate regulation (2.6.2.1)
2. Alterations of the above due to disease (2.6.2.2)
3. Common diseases of the urinary tract including but not limited to… (2.6.3.*)
1. Acute vs. chronic renal failure (2.6.3.1)
2. Glomerulonephritis (2.6.3.2)
3. Interstitial nephritis (2.6.3.3)
4. Toxicities (2.6.3.4)
5. Infections (2.6.3.5)
6. Neoplasia (2.6.3.6)
7. Pyelonephritis (2.6.3.7)
8. Feline lower urinary tract disease (2.6.3.8)
9. Nephrolithiasis (2.6.3.9)
10. Hydronephrosis (2.6.3.10)
11. Congenital, developmental or hereditary disease (2.6.3.11)
4. Pressure, volume relationship among the ureters, bladder and urethra; neurophysiology of micturition, the
detrusor reflex and vesicoureteral reflux (2.6.4)
5. Genital / Reproductive (2.6.5.*)
1. Radiographically recognizable fetal ossification intervals (canine and feline) (2.6.5.1)
2. Radiographic findings of fetal death and how the signs develop (dog and cat) (2.6.5.2)
3. Canine pyometra - pathogenesis, predisposing causes, systemic effects (2.6.5.3)
4. Ovarian disease - congenital, neoplastic, and functional problems, systemic effects (2.6.5.4)
5. Prostate gland diseases (2.6.5.5)
6. Testicular diseases (2.6.5.6)
7. Endocrine System (2.7.*.*)
1. Thyroid Gland (2.7.1.*)
1. Iodide trapping and organification into T3/T4 (2.7.1.1)
Page 5 / 18
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
Pituitary-thyroid axis - homeostasis and negative feedback (2.7.1.2)
Thyroid hormone function and effects on other organ systems (2.7.1.3)
Mode of action/duration of antithyroid medications (2.7.1.4)
Systemic effects of I-131 in cats treated for feline hyperthyroidism. (2.7.1.5)
Common diseases of the thyroid gland including hyperthyroidism, hypothyroidism and neoplasia
(2.7.1.6)
2. Pituitary Gland (2.7.2.*)
1. Homeostasis and regulation of pituitary gland via portal system and releasing factors/proteins or
neurohypophyseal control of posterior pituitary (2.7.2.1)
2. Pituitary disease - Cushing's syndrome, tumors, diabetes insipidus, and hypoplasia (2.7.2.2)
3. Adrenal Gland (2.7.3.*)
1. Epinephrine and norepinephrine production and regulation (2.7.3.1)
2. Glucocorticoids - control and effects (2.7.3.2)
3. Mineralocorticoids - control and effects (2.7.3.3)
4. Physiologic effects of adrenal hormones on CNS, cardiovascular system, respiratory system and
metabolic status (2.7.3.4)
5. Tumors of the adrenal cortex and medulla (2.7.3.5)
6. Hyperadrenocorticism and hypoadrenocorticism (2.7.3.6)
7. Hyperaldosteronism (2.7.3.7)
8. Miscellaneous (2.8.*.*)
1. Pathophysiologic basis and radiographic findings in immune-mediated diseases: (2.8.1.*)
1. Immune-mediated thrombocytopenia (2.8.1.1)
2. Immune-mediated hemolytic anemia (2.8.1.2)
3. Physics (3.*.*)
1. Physics and Chemistry of Radiation Absorption (3.1.*)
1. Differentiate between molecular excitation and ionization (3.1.1)
2. Differentiate between particulate and electromagnetic (non-particulate) forms of radiation (3.1.2)
3. Differentiate between the sites of origin of gamma rays and x-rays (3.1.3)
4. Know the basic forms of particulate radiations and their interactions or potential interactions with matter,
including: alpha particles, electrons, protons, and neutrons (3.1.4)
5. Understand the difference between direct and indirect forms of ionizing radiation injury (3.1.5)
6. Understand the difference between direct and indirect actions of radiation (3.1.6)
7. Define the role of ionization and free radical formation and their role in creating biological effects (3.1.7)
2. Basic Atomic and Nuclear Physics (3.2.*)
1. Atomic composition and structure and nuclear binding forces (3.2.1)
2. Nuclear decay charts and radioactive decay (3.2.2)
3. Line of stability and the line of unity (3.2.3)
4. Isotopes, Isobars, Isomers and Isotones (3.2.4)
5. Atomic number and atomic mass; calculation of neutron number (3.2.5)
3. Modes of Radioactive Decay (particulate and non-particulate emissions including neutrinos and anti-neutrinos)
(3.3.*)
1. Betatron (negatron) decay (3.3.1)
2. Alpha decay (3.3.2)
3. Electron capture (3.3.3)
4. Positron decay (annihilation reaction and photon formation) (3.3.4)
5. Isomeric transition (3.3.5)
4. Radioactive Decay terminology (3.4.*)
1. Decay constant and relationship with physical half-life (3.4.1)
2. Physical and biological half-life, concept and calculation of the effective half-life (3.4.2)
3. Average half-life (3.4.3)
4. Specific activity (3.4.4)
Page 6 / 18
5. Be familiar with molecular reactions and interactions of radiation with matter. (3.5.*)
1. Understand the concepts of exposure, dose equivalent, absorbed dose, weighting (quality) factor for
electromagnetic and particulate radiation. Understand the relationship between roentgens, rads, and rems
(3.5.1)
2. Be able to convert rads to Grays and rems to Sieverts (3.5.2)
4. Physical Properties of X-rays (4.*.*.*)
1. Understand the following concepts as they relate to the physical properties of x-rays: (4.1.*.*)
1. Effect on photographic emulsion. (4.1.1)
2. Fluorescence and phosphorescence (4.1.2)
3. Inverse square law and calculations for determining new mAs factors when distance changes. (4.1.3)
4. Interactions with matter and ionization of atoms and secondary scatter (4.1.4.*)
1. Photoelectric and Compton interaction, pair production, and photodisintegration and the radiation
energy and physical density (subject) ranges for which these types of interactions are likely to occur
(4.1.4.1)
5. Relationship of the speed of light, frequency and wavelength (4.1.5)
6. Relationship of the x-ray wavelength and energy (4.1.6)
7. Wavelength of diagnostic x-rays compared to other forms of electromagnetic radiation (electromagnetic
spectrum) (4.1.7)
8. X-ray beam intensity and quality (4.1.8)
9. Half value layer, linear and mass attenuation coefficients (4.1.9)
2. The interaction between photons and matter as related to how and when they occur, the differences between
them and their role in diagnostic radiology, including the basic interactions related to… (4.2.*)
1. Absorption (4.2.1)
2. Scattering (4.2.2)
3. Transmission (4.2.3)
4. Mass and linear attenuation coefficient (4.2.4)
5. Production of X-rays (5.*.*.*)
1. Be familiar with the construction and function of the following components of a diagnostic x-ray system (5.1.*.*)
1. Inherent and added beam filters and collimator (5.1.1)
2. Milliamperage (mA) regulation (5.1.2)
3. Voltage (kVp) regulation (5.1.3)
4. X-ray tube housing and cooling elements (5.1.4)
5. X-ray tube (5.1.5.*)
1. Anode and anode shaft (5.1.5.1)
2. Cathode, cathode filaments and focusing cup (5.1.5.2)
3. Transformer (5.1.5.3)
4. Focal spot size (5.1.5.4)
2. Be familiar with the following concepts and understand their relationship and/or importance in x-ray production
(5.2.*)
1. Alternating versus direct current (5.2.1)
2. Bremsstrahlung radiation and polychromatic (energetic) x-ray beam (5.2.2)
3. Characteristic radiation (5.2.3)
4. Characteristics of focal spots including actual vs. effective focal spots, the line focus principle, large versus
small focal spots, and requirements for magnification radiography (5.2.4)
5. Electron orbits and energy levels (5.2.5)
6. Filtration (inherent and added) (5.2.6)
7. Heat dissipation within the tube and tube housing (5.2.7)
8. Anodes: rotating versus stationary, common anode materials, heel effect and anode angle (effect on focal
spot size and heel effect) (5.2.8)
9. Voltage wave forms including ripple effect, constant potential, high frequency. Differences between
kilovoltage and megavoltage x or gamma rays (5.2.9)
10. mAs, kVp, & keV (5.2.10)
Page 7 / 18
11.
12.
13.
14.
15.
kW ratings of x-ray tubes and x-ray generators (5.2.11)
Milliamperage (including falling load principle) (5.2.12)
Collimators and primary x-ray beam (5.2.13)
Rectification (5.2.14)
Understand tube heat units, tube rating charts and anode cooling charts for routine radiology and
fluoroscopy units (5.2.15)
16. Line voltage and line voltage compensator (5.2.16)
3. Understand the principles of energy transfer in the production of a useful x-ray beam, including… (5.3.*)
1. Energy transfer at the transformer (5.3.1)
2. Energy transfer at the anode (5.3.2)
3. Energy transfer at the cathode (5.3.3)
4. Energy transfer within the glass envelope and the collimator housing (added filtration) (5.3.4)
6. Radiation Biology (6.*.*)
1. Know the basic mechanisms of acute and late radiation injury and cell killing (6.1.*)
1. Understand the differences in radiation response between acute and late responding tissues (6.1.1)
2. Effects of radiation on tissues detected by imaging (including but not limited to radiation induced lung and
bone changes) (6.1.2)
2. How does radiation kill cells (6.2.*)
1. Discuss the mechanisms of electromagnetic radiation induced cell killing (6.2.1)
2. Discuss the differences between apoptotic and mitotic cell death related to radiation induced cellular injury
(6.2.2)
3. Understand the differences between lethal damage, sub-lethal damage and potentially lethal damage
(6.2.3)
3. Understand the concept of L.E.T. (linear energy transfer) and how L.E.T. relates to R.B.E. (relative biological
effectiveness) and the oxygen effect (6.3)
4. Understand R.B.E. and how R.B.E. may be influenced by other factors (6.4)
5. Discuss the phases of acute radiation syndrome, including the bone marrow, gastrointestinal and CNS radiation
syndromes (6.5.*)
1. Include the prodromal symptoms, whole body dose to create the radiation syndrome and clinical signs
associated with acute radiation syndrome (6.5.1)
6. Discuss/be familiar with the effects of chronic radiation exposure (6.6)
7. Be familiar with the effects of radiation on the developing embryo/fetus in utero (6.7)
8. Understand the meaning of the terms, "lethal dose", and "tolerance dose" (6.8)
9. Understand the difference between deterministic and stochastic effects related to radiation induced injury. (6.9)
7. Oncology/Tumor Biology (7.*)
1. Be familiar with the biological behavior of common canine, feline, and equine tumors (7.1)
2. These should include common tumors of the skull, oral cavity, nasal cavity and paranasal sinuses, brain, spinal
cord and peripheral nervous system, pharynx, respiratory system, circulatory system, appendicular and axial
skeleton, integument, gastrointestinal system (including hepatobiliary and pancreatic), urogenital, bone marrow,
lymphoid tissues , and connective tissues. (7.2)
3. Common tumor types from these systems should be understood in terms of local invasiveness, metastatic
potential and common metastatic appearance and described radiographic appearances based on the literature
related to veterinary medicine. (7.3)
8. Radiation Monitoring (8.*.*)
1. Be familiar with the equipment and devices used for monitoring radiation and the basic principles involved (8.1.*)
1. Gas-filled detectors, including the basic principles, ionization chambers, proportional counters and GeigerMüeller survey meters (8.1.1)
2. Be familiar with the appropriate use and limitations of personnel monitoring equipment (TLD monitors, pocket
dosimeters and film badges) and interpretation of data obtained (8.2)
3. Be familiar with the regulations pertaining to personnel monitoring, i.e., occupational, non-occupational, general
population, and fetal exposures (8.3.*)
1. Understand patient versus operator exposure levels (8.3.1)
Page 8 / 18
2. Understand radiation safety factors... time, distance, shielding (8.3.2)
3. Understand the concept of lifetime cumulative exposure (8.3.3)
9. Radiation Protection (9.*.*)
1. Understand the principle of barrier design, occupancy, workload, filtration, and beam limiting devices and
personnel shielding for the design of radiology rooms and shielding within the room. (9.1)
2. Define and apply ALARA concept to standards of radiation protection and safety. (9.2)
3. Be familiar with the radiation protection aspects of handling animals that have been given either diagnostic
(99mTc) or therapeutic radiopharmaceuticals (131-I) (9.3.*)
1. Care and handling of the radioisotopes and the radioactive patients (9.3.1)
2. Monitoring external and internal exposure of personnel (9.3.2)
3. Exposure versus contamination (9.3.3)
4. Know the deterministic annual limits for the lens of the eye and localized areas of the skin, hands and feet
(9.3.4)
4. Regulatory Aspects (9.4.*)
1. Know the function and responsibility of the various councils and agencies, i.e., NRC, NCRP, ICRP, OSHA,
and State Governments (9.4.1)
2. Differences between agreement and non-agreement states (9.4.2)
10. Computed/Digital Imaging (10.*.*.*)
1. Be familiar with the use of computers and concepts of digital image formation and storage (10.1.*.*)
1. Computer hardware characteristics (10.1.1.*)
1. Storage media (10.1.1.1)
2. Disk drive characteristics (10.1.1.2)
3. Units of performance and storage (10.1.1.3)
2. Bits, Bytes, Pixel, Voxel, Matrix Size (10.1.2)
3. File Types (10.1.3.*)
1. TIFF, JPEG, DICOM (digital imaging and communication in medicine). (10.1.3.1)
2. Types of image compression, their usage, and their effects on image quality (10.1.3.2)
4. Understand the basics of PACS (Picture Archival and Communication System) and know and understand
the ACVR guidelines as listed on the ACVR website (10.1.4.*)
1. Including DICOM connectivity (10.1.4.1)
2. Computed Radiography (CR)/Digital radiography (DR) (10.2.*.*)
1. Understand the basics behind photostimulable phosphor (PSP) detection systems. (10.2.1.*)
1. PSP plate technology and image capture (10.2.1.1)
2. Understand the principles behind the processing of a PSP imaging plate to the production of an image
(10.2.1.2)
2. Understand the basics of Flat Panel digital radiography detection systems (10.2.2.*)
1. Indirect conversion detectors (10.2.2.1)
2. Direct conversion detectors (10.2.2.2)
3. Understand the difference between Thin Film Transistor (TFT) detectors and Charge Coupled Device
(CCD) - based detectors (10.2.3)
4. Understand what factors contribute to spatial resolution and overall image quality (including image noise) in
CR and DR (10.2.4)
5. Understand how digital system performance is evaluated (MTF and DQE) (10.2.5)
6. Understand the basics of digital image processing/post-processing (10.2.6)
7. Be able to give the advantages and disadvantages of digital systems (CR and DR) as compared to one
another and film/screen radiology (10.2.7)
8. H&D curve for digital systems in comparison to film, differences in acceptable exposure range between the
two (10.2.8.*)
1. Dosage creep, and the concept of Exposure Index (EI) for monitoring dosage creep (10.2.8.1)
11. Equipment and Accessories (11.*.*.*)
1. Understand the use, limitations, advantages, disadvantages, care and construction of the following radiographic
equipment: (11.1.*.*)
Page 9 / 18
1. Collimators (11.1.1)
2. Film (11.1.2.*)
1. Green or blue sensitive film and specific dark room requirements (11.1.2.1)
2. Screen versus non-screen film (11.1.2.2)
3. Specialty film (copy film or subtraction film) (11.1.2.3)
4. Double versus single emulsion film (11.1.2.4)
5. H&D curves for film, and comparison to those of digital radiography (11.1.2.5)
3. Film identification devices (11.1.3)
4. Film/screen combinations and relative film/screen speeds and contrast (11.1.4)
5. Fluoroscopic screens (11.1.5)
6. Grids (parallel, crossed, focused, Potter-Bucky) (11.1.6.*)
1. Grid ratios (11.1.6.1)
2. Grid composition (11.1.6.2)
7. Cassettes and Intensifying screens (11.1.7.*)
1. Quantum mottle, relative speed, conversion efficiency, absorption efficiency and system resolution
(FWHM) (11.1.7.1)
2. Rare earth screens (11.1.7.2)
2. Understand the principles of the air-gap technique (11.2)
3. Miscellaneous principles and mechanics (11.3.*)
1. Capacitor discharge and high frequency generators (11.3.1)
2. Fluoroscopy / image intensification (11.3.2)
3. Automatic exposure control and image intensifiers (11.3.3)
4. High frequency generators (11.3.4)
5. Magnification radiography (11.3.5)
6. Spot film devices (11.3.6)
12. Darkroom -- understand and be able to explain the practical application of: (12.*.*.*)
1. Safelights (12.1.*)
1. Purpose of safelights (12.1.1)
2. Filter specifications for various imaging films (12.1.2)
2. Chemistry of film processing for various types of film (12.2.*.*)
1. Chemical components and their actions (12.2.1.*)
1. Developer solutions (12.2.1.1)
2. Replenishers (12.2.1.2)
3. Fixer solutions (12.2.1.3)
4. Rinse baths (12.2.1.4)
3. Purpose and acceptable methods for washing and drying of films after developing and fixing (12.3)
4. The difference between manual and automatic processing (12.4)
5. The correct methods of film storage and the effects of improper film storage (12.5)
6. Darkroom and film processing quality control (12.6)
13. Radiographic Quality (13.*.*.*)
1. Characteristics of image quality and film-screen evaluations (13.1.*)
1. Contrast - understand the differences between subject contrast, film contrast and radiographic contrast
(13.1.1)
2. Density (radiographic film optical density, base optical density, film fog) (13.1.2)
3. Detail, resolution (including full width half max measurements, FWHM) and sharpness (13.1.3)
4. Latitude (13.1.4)
5. Modulation transfer function (13.1.5)
2. Understand the effects of the following factors on image quality (13.2.*.*)
1. Geometric factors (13.2.1.*)
1. Distortion (13.2.1.1)
Page 10 / 18
14.
15.
16.
17.
18.
2. Magnification (13.2.1.2)
3. Object position (13.2.1.3)
4. Object size and shape (13.2.1.4)
2. Characteristics of controllable x-ray tube factors (13.2.2.*)
1. Object-film distance (13.2.2.1)
2. Target-film distance (13.2.2.2)
3. Signal to noise ratio (13.2.3)
Technique Chart Formation (14.*.*)
1. Discuss the importance and relationship of the following terms as they relate to technique chart formation: (14.1.*)
1. Focal-film distance (14.1.1)
2. Grids (14.1.2)
3. mA x time = mAs (14.1.3)
4. mAs vs. kVp (14.1.4)
5. Speed of screens and type of film (14.1.5)
6. Subject contrast (14.1.6)
7. Thickness of subject (14.1.7)
2. Relate the following terms (14.2.*)
1. mAs and radiographic density (14.2.1)
2. kVp and radiographic contrast (14.2.2)
3. kVp and radiographic density (14.2.3)
Diagnostic Performance (15.*.*)
1. Indices of diagnostic tests: sensitivity, specificity, predictive value, likelihood ratio, odds ratio, ROC analysis.
(15.1.*)
2. Statistics for evaluation of published papers relevant to diagnostic imaging and diagnostic tests: data collection,
populations and sampling, descriptive statistics, continuous variables, proportions, correlation and regression,
test and reader agreement. (15.2)
Special Procedures: General (16.*.*)
1. Alternative imaging methods and diagnostic tests that may complement or supersede various special procedures
in specific cases. (16.1)
2. Knowledge of the various techniques and materials used to perform angiographic and angiocardiography
procedures (16.2.*)
1. Difference between types of catheters available, the effects of catheter configuration (i.e., length, number
and position of openings) on the injection of contrast and the advantages and disadvantages of each
catheter type. (16.2.1)
3. Understand the principles of fluoroscopic imaging and diagnosis including fine needle aspirate, biopsy, heartworm
extraction and catheter interventional radiology. (16.3)
Contrast media (17.*.*)
1. Chemical names, relative viscosities, anionic and cationic composition of the ionic and non-ionic contrast media.
(17.1.*)
1. various combinations of methylglucamine (meglumine) and sodium diatrizoate and iothalamate, ioxaglate
(17.1.1)
2. iopamidol, iohexol, iotrolan (17.1.2)
2. Advantages and disadvantages of ionic and non-ionic contrast media. (17.2)
3. Physiologic effects, including the toxicities, of contrast media (17.3)
4. How to manage adverse effects (17.4)
5. Know the various physical and chemical properties of the different barium sulfate suspensions. (17.5.*)
1. w/v and w/w formulations (17.5.1)
Special Procedures (18.*.*.*)
1. Know the indications and contra-indications, technical aspects (including choice of contrast media) complications,
standard imaging protocols (including positioning) and principles of interpretation for the following contrast
procedures (small and large animals unless indicated otherwise) (18.1)
2. Alimentary (18.2.*)
Page 11 / 18
1. Esophagography (including evaluation of swallowing) (18.2.1)
2. Upper GI series (18.2.2)
3. Gastrography: positive, negative and double contrast (small animals only) (18.2.3)
4. Colonography (positive and negative) (18.2.4)
3. Genitourinary (18.3.*)
1. Excretory urography (small animals only) (18.3.1)
2. Cystography (positive, negative and double contrast) (18.3.2)
3. Urethrography, vaginourethography (18.3.3)
4. Nervous System (18.4.*)
1. Myelography (18.4.1)
5. Cardiovascular System (18.5.*)
1. Angiocardiography: selective and non-selective (small animals only) (18.5.1)
2. Angiography including portography (18.5.2)
3. Lymphangiography (18.5.3)
6. Musculoskeletal (18.6.*.*)
1. Arthrography (18.6.1.*)
1. canine: shoulder (18.6.1.1)
2. equine: shoulder, carpus, navicular bursa and tendon sheath (18.6.1.2)
2. Fistulography (18.6.2)
3. Stress radiography (18.6.3)
7. Oculonasal (18.7.*)
1. Dacryocystorhinography (18.7.1)
2. Rhinography (18.7.2)
8. Interventional procedures (18.8.*)
1. Valvuloplasty (18.8.1)
2. Embolization techniques (18.8.2)
3. Stenting (18.8.3)
9. Miscellaneous (18.9.*)
1. Positional radiographs (18.9.1)
19. Ultrasonography (19.*.*.*.*)
1. Ultrasound (19.1.*)
1. Understand the physical characteristics of the ultrasound beam (19.1.1)
2. Understand the basic interactions of ultrasound with matter, including reflection, refraction, scattering and
attenuation (19.1.2)
3. Know the characteristics of various transducer types (electronic versus mechanical and linear, curved,
phased array, and multifrequency transducers, etc.) and the actions of a piezoelectric element. (19.1.3)
4. Be aware of the biological effects of ultrasound (19.1.4)
5. Be familiar with ultrasound contrast media and potential applications of contrast ultrasound (19.1.5)
6. Understand the factors that affect lateral, axial and elevation resolution (19.1.6)
7. Understand the physical factors influencing the propagation of ultrasound in tissues and the factors that
influence acoustic impedance (19.1.7)
8. Know the relationship between wavelength, frequency, impedance and the velocity of sound in tissues
(19.1.8)
9. Understand the properties of ultrasound beam formation and propagation particularly relative to the near
field, focal zone and far field (19.1.9)
10. Understand the basics in calculation of reflected interfaces within tissue and the pulse echo operation
including pulse repetition frequency, pulse duration and duty factor (19.1.10)
11. Be familiar with the use of harmonic imaging, indications, contraindications and modes of action (19.1.11)
12. Be familiar with technologies such compounding, beam steering, digital beam formers, coded pulses,
electronic focusing, and contrast ultrasound; how these technologies influence artifact detection, contrast
and spatial resolution (19.1.12)
Page 12 / 18
2. Methods of Image Formation and Display (19.2.*)
1. Know the various modes of display (19.2.1)
2. Be familiar with real-time imaging systems (19.2.2)
3. Understand use of the controls for real-time equipment (19.2.3)
3. Doppler Ultrasound (19.3.*)
1. Understand the basics of the Doppler principle and be able to calculate the velocity of blood flow given
various paramenters related to the Doppler frequency shift (19.3.1)
2. Be familiar with transducer characteristics, instrumentation, and controls (19.3.2)
3. Understand the difference between continuous wave, pulsed wave, color flow and Power Doppler
techniques (19.3.3)
4. Know the clinical application of Doppler and basic interpretation principles (19.3.4)
5. Be able to analyze arterial wave forms using pulsatility index, resistive index and A/B ratios (19.3.5)
6. Be familiar with Doppler energy (19.3.6)
4. Echocardiography (19.4.*)
1. M-mode, 2-D and Doppler examination with recognition of normal and abnormal Doppler tracings of
cardiac valves (19.4.1)
2. Basic cardiac anatomy from right and left parasternal window (19.4.2)
3. Be able to calculate the pressure gradients using a modified Bernoulli equation (19.4.3)
5. Clinical Application: For 2-D gray-scale ultrasonography, know the indications, selection of particular equipment,
scanning protocol, normal anatomy, principles of interpretation, and appearance of disease in the following
organ systems: (19.5.*.*.*)
1. Large Animal (equine) (19.5.1.*.*)
1. Musculoskeletal (19.5.1.1.*)
1. Palmar/plantar tendons and ligaments of the metacarpus/metatarsus in transverse and
longitudinal orientations (19.5.1.1.1)
2. Stifle (19.5.1.1.2)
2. Ocular (19.5.1.2)
3. Non-cardiac thoracic (19.5.1.3)
4. Cardiac (19.5.1.4)
5. Jugular vein and surrounding anatomy. (19.5.1.5)
6. Abdominal structures as far as can be visualized by means of ultrasonography (19.5.1.6)
7. Urachus, umbilical artery and vein (equine versus bovine) (19.5.1.7)
2. Small Animal (19.5.2.*.*)
1. CNS (brain, spine) (19.5.2.1)
2. Non-cardiac thoracic (19.5.2.2)
3. Neck including thyroid and parathyroid gland (19.5.2.3)
4. Adrenal (19.5.2.4)
5. Lymph nodes (19.5.2.5)
6. Kidneys and ureters (19.5.2.6)
7. Urinary bladder and urethra (19.5.2.7)
8. Gastrointestinal tract (19.5.2.8)
9. Liver including biliary system (19.5.2.9)
10. Spleen (19.5.2.10)
11. Pancreas (19.5.2.11)
12. Reproductive tract (ovaries, uterus, testes, epididymes, prostate) (19.5.2.12.*)
1. Normal gestation, appearance of embryo/fetus (canine, feline) (19.5.2.12.1)
13. Abdominal vasculature (portal vein, vena cava, aorta and branches) (19.5.2.13)
14. Ocular (19.5.2.14)
15. Cardiac (19.5.2.15)
16. Peritoneal cavity, retroperitoneal space, mesentery, omentum (19.5.2.16)
17. Musculoskeletal (19.5.2.17.*)
Page 13 / 18
1. Shoulder (19.5.2.17.1)
2. Stifle joint (19.5.2.17.2)
3. Calcanean tendon (19.5.2.17.3)
4. Long bones (19.5.2.17.4)
5. Soft tissues (19.5.2.17.5)
3. Ultrasound-guided procedures (19.5.3.*)
1. Basic principles, techniques, equipment and indications/contraindications for ultrasound-guided
procedures in small and large animals (19.5.3.1)
2. Centesis, fine needle aspiration and biopsy (19.5.3.2)
3. Pyelocentesis and antegrade pyelography (19.5.3.3)
4. Drainage procedures (19.5.3.4)
5. Therapeutic procedures including parathyroid ablation, retrieval of musculoskeletal foreign bodies and
ultrasound-guided injections (19.5.3.5)
6. Injection of cervical facet joints (horses) (19.5.3.6)
4. Doppler ultrasonography, know the indications, selection of equipment, scanning protocol, principles of
interpretation, and normal and abnormal Doppler patterns for the following: (19.5.4.*)
1. Splanchnic vascular beds including the portal venous system, renal, hepatic, and mesenteric arteries
and veins (19.5.4.1)
2. Heart and peripheral vascular beds (19.5.4.2)
3. Parenchymal vascular beds of the liver, spleen and kidneys (19.5.4.3)
20. Nuclear Medicine (20.*.*.*)
1. Nuclear medicine generator systems (20.1.*)
1. Parent-Daughter Decay (generator systems) (20.1.1)
2. Radiation Detectors (20.2.*.*)
1. Gamma camera structure and function (20.2.1.*)
1. Gamma camera head including the NaI crystal, photocathode, photomultiplier tubes (20.2.1.1)
2. Pre-amplifier, amplifier, and pulse height analyzer (20.2.1.2)
3. Rate scalers, cathode ray tube, analog digital converter (ADC) (20.2.1.3)
4. Collimators - low energy-all purpose, diverging, converging, medium energy, pin-hole, high resolution,
high sensitivity (20.2.1.4)
2. Gamma camera image quality (20.2.2.*)
1. Quality control (20.2.2.1)
2. Factors that limit spatial and temporal resolution (20.2.2.2)
3. Digital image processing (20.3.*)
1. Types of acquisitions - frame mode, list mode, static, dynamic, gated (ECG synchronized) (20.3.1)
2. Image depth - bit, byte and word (20.3.2)
3. The effect of matrix size on image quality, frame rate and storage capacity (20.3.3)
4. Types of background correction (20.3.4)
5. Cross talk and its quantitative effect on ROI (20.3.5)
6. Regions of interest (ROI), time activity curves and basic filtering operations including smoothing, edge
detection, temporal and spatial operations (20.3.6)
4. Radiopharmaceuticals -know the indication, routes of administration, mechanisms of location and route of
excretion for the following radiopharmaceuticals. Also, know the
clinical scintigraphic
procedures
related to
indications,
proper radiopharmaceuticals to be used, scanning protocol, normal
anatomy, common artifacts, and principles of interpretation and the appearance of disease. (20.4.*.*)
1. Pertechnetate - thyroid imaging, per-rectal portal and trans-splenic scintigraphy (20.4.1)
2. Macroaggregated albumin (MAA) - pulmonary perfusion and right to left shunt quantification (20.4.2)
3. Methylene diphosphonate - three phase bone scans (20.4.3)
4. 99mTc-DTPA (20.4.4.*)
1. GFR calculation (20.4.4.1)
5. IDA - hepatobiliary scanning, transsplenic portal scintigraphy (20.4.5)
Page 14 / 18
6. 123I, 131I - thyroid scintigraphy (20.4.6)
7. 18F/FDG-PET (20.4.7)
5. Analysis of Scintigraphic Procedures - Know the indications and methods of calculation of the following
procedures: (20.5.*)
1. Portosystemic shunt quantification (20.5.1)
2. Glomerular filtration rate - imaging studies (20.5.2)
6. Therapeutic use of 131I (20.6)
21. Computed Tomography (21.*.*.*.*)
1. Image Reconstruction and Display (21.1.*)
1. Know the principles of cross-sectional image formation including the concept of filtered back projection
(21.1.1)
2. Be familiar with back-projection, iterative, and analytical methods of reconstruction (21.1.2)
3. Understand the definition, limitations and the use of Hounsfield Units (21.1.3)
4. Know the various types of detectors and orientations used in CT scanners ("generations") (21.1.4)
5. Know the physical principles of helical CT scanners and the advantages and disadvantages (21.1.5)
6. Understand the definition and use of window level and window width (21.1.6)
7. Know the effect of matrix size, image depth, field of view, slice thickness, mA, and kVp on image quality
(21.1.7)
8. Know the physical principles of multirow detector CT scanners and the advantages and disadvantages.
(21.1.8)
9. Understand the definition and relative advantages/disadvantages of smoothing and edge enhancement
algorithms. (21.1.9)
10. Know the concept of pitch and the effects of pitch setting on image quality in both single and multislice
scanners (21.1.10)
2. CT Safety (21.2.*)
1. Be familiar with patient exposure levels during CT procedures (21.2.1)
2. Know important radiation safety factors for CT scanners (21.2.2)
3. Clinical Application (21.3.*.*.*)
1. Know the indications, scanning protocol (imaging planes, desirable slice thickness, and use of contrast
media), normal anatomy, common artifacts, principles of interpretation and appearance of disease for
regions: (21.3.1.*.*)
1. Head (large and small animals) (21.3.1.1.*)
1. Skull including nasal cavity, orbit, bullae, and teeth (21.3.1.1.1)
2. Brain (21.3.1.1.2)
2. Spine (21.3.1.2)
3. Thorax (21.3.1.3)
4. Abdomen (especially renal, adrenal, and hepatic) (21.3.1.4)
5. Musculoskeletal system and superficial soft tissues (large and small animals) (21.3.1.5)
22. Magnetic Resonance Imaging (22.*.*.*.*)
1. Basic physics (22.1.*.*)
1. Know the characteristics of nuclear structure, angular momentum, magnetism and magnetic dipole
moment (22.1.1)
2. Know the basic principles and parameters associated with MRI, including the following terminology:
(22.1.2.*)
1. Larmor frequency (22.1.2.1)
2. Magnetization vectors (22.1.2.2)
3. Radiofrequency pulse (22.1.2.3)
4. Free induction decay (22.1.2.4)
5. Spin-spin relaxation time (22.1.2.5)
6. Spin-lattice relaxation time (22.1.2.6)
7. Pulse sequence (22.1.2.7)
8. Flow related artifacts (22.1.2.8)
Page 15 / 18
9. Contrast media (22.1.2.9)
10. Ferromagnetic and paramagnetic properties (22.1.2.10)
11. Magnetic susceptibility (22.1.2.11)
12. T1 and T2 effects (22.1.2.12)
13. TE and TR effects (22.1.2.13)
2. Basic Principles (22.2.*.*)
1. Know the following terminology and the role these factors play in MR image formation: (22.2.1.*)
1. TR, repetition time (22.2.1.1)
2. TE, echo time (22.2.1.2)
3. Excitation, or flip angle (22.2.1.3)
4. FOV (22.2.1.4)
5. Slice thickness and slice gap (22.2.1.5)
6. Number of averages or excitations (22.2.1.6)
7. Slice selection, phase and frequency encoding gradients (22.2.1.7)
8. TI, time of inversion (22.2.1.8)
3. Instrumentation (22.3.*)
1. Know the basic principles and advantages of the different types of magnets used for MRI (permanent,
resistive, superconductive). (22.3.1)
2. Understand the basic differences between a horizontal magnet design and a vertical (open) magnet
design. (22.3.2)
3. Know the basic differences between commonly used receiver coil types (surface, quadrature, array) and
their use (22.3.3)
4. Know the function of the various components of the MRI scanner (22.3.4)
4. MRI Safety (22.4.*.*)
1. Be familiar with safety concerns of MRI (22.4.1.*)
1. Hazards of metal projectiles, potential causes and response to magnet quenching. (22.4.1.1)
2. Potential causes of thermal burns and issues relative to patient energy deposition. (22.4.1.2)
5. Clinical Utility/Indications/Procedures (22.5.*.*.*)
1. Know the general method for acquiring the following pulse sequences and their common clinical uses:
(22.5.1.*.*)
1. Spin echo pulse sequences (22.5.1.1.*)
1. T1 pulse sequence (22.5.1.1.1)
2. T2 pulse sequences (including fast spin echo T2 imaging) (22.5.1.1.2)
3. Proton density pulse sequence (22.5.1.1.3)
2. Gradient echo pulse sequences (22.5.1.2)
3. Inversion recovery pulse sequences (STIR and FLAIR) (22.5.1.3)
2. Know the clinical utility of the following MR imaging procedures: (22.5.2.*)
1. Fat suppression techniques (fat saturation, STIR) (22.5.2.1)
2. MR angiography (time of flight, phase contrast, contrast enhanced MRA) (22.5.2.2)
3. Gradient echo T2* weighted imaging (22.5.2.3)
3. Be familiar with MRI contrast media including (22.5.3.*)
1. Doses (22.5.3.1)
2. Hazards (22.5.3.2)
3. Mode of action (22.5.3.3)
6. Clinical Applications (22.6.*.*)
1. Know the indications, scanning protocol (imaging planes, desirable slice thickness, pulse sequences, use
of contrast), normal anatomy, common artifacts, principles of interpretation and appearance of disease for
the following studies: (22.6.1.*)
1. Head including nasal cavity and orbit (large and small animals) (22.6.1.1)
2. Brain (22.6.1.2)
3. Spine (22.6.1.3)
Page 16 / 18
4. Abdomen (22.6.1.4)
5. Musculoskeletal system and superficial soft tissues (small and large animals) (22.6.1.5)
6. Magnetic resonance angiography (MRA) including MR portography (22.6.1.6)
23. Artifacts (23.*.*.*)
1. Radiography (23.1.*.*)
1. Artifacts made during exposure (23.1.1.*)
1. Collimator cutoff (23.1.1.1)
2. Double exposure (23.1.1.2)
3. Extraneous materials blocking the "image path" (23.1.1.3)
4. Grid cutoff and grid lines; damaged grids (23.1.1.4)
5. Motion (23.1.1.5)
6. Extraneous radiation (23.1.1.6)
7. Overexposure and underexposure (23.1.1.7)
2. Artifacts made during processing and film handling (23.1.2.*)
1. Crescent marks and pressure artifacts (23.1.2.1)
2. Static electricity (23.1.2.2)
3. Fog (23.1.2.3)
4. Light leaks (23.1.2.4)
3. Screen and film artifacts (23.1.3.*)
1. Dirty screens (23.1.3.1)
2. Poor screen film contact (23.1.3.2)
3. Inappropriate screen/film combination (23.1.3.3)
4. CR/DR Artifacts (23.1.4.*)
1. Quantum mottle (23.1.4.1)
2. Saturation (23.1.4.2)
3. Planking (23.1.4.3)
4. Fading (23.1.4.4)
5. Light leak (CR plate) (23.1.4.5)
6. Dirty light guide (23.1.4.6)
7. Faulty transfer (23.1.4.7)
8. Misplacement (23.1.4.8)
9. Border detection (23.1.4.9)
10. Dead pixels (23.1.4.10)
11. Moire (23.1.4.11)
12. Überschwinger/ halo (23.1.4.12)
13. Density threshold (23.1.4.13)
2. Ultrasound (23.2.*)
1. Faulty gain setting (TGC, near gain, far gain, overall gain) (23.2.1)
2. Reverberation (23.2.2)
3. Acoustic shadowing (23.2.3)
4. Refraction (23.2.4)
5. Side lobe and grating lobe (23.2.5)
6. Anisotropism (23.2.6)
7. Through transmission (distal enhancement) (23.2.7)
8. Mirror image artifact (23.2.8)
9. Electronic noise (23.2.9)
10. Slice thickness artifact (23.2.10)
11. Range ambiguity (23.2.11)
12. Registration/propagation speed error (23.2.12)
13. Aliasing (23.2.13)
Page 17 / 18
14. Twinkling (23.2.14)
15. Ringdown and comet tail artifacts (23.2.15)
3. Nuclear Medicine (23.3.*)
1. Nonfunctioning PM tube, defective or uncoupled light pipe (23.3.1)
2. Crystal abnormality (23.3.2)
3. Improper energy calibration (23.3.3)
4. Contaminated gamma camera face (23.3.4)
5. Improper delay from injection to imaging (23.3.5)
6. Inadequate count density (23.3.6)
7. Improper matrix size (23.3.7)
8. Patient motion (23.3.8)
9. Blockage of technetium uptake by drugs and contrast media (23.3.9)
10. Radionuclide contamination (urine, injection site, etc) (23.3.10)
11. Poor technetium-radiopharmaceutical binding (23.3.11)
12. Improper collimator for isotope used (23.3.12)
4. Computed Tomography (23.4.*)
1. Volume averaging (23.4.1)
2. Patient motion, physiological motion (23.4.2)
3. Beam hardening (23.4.3)
4. Aliasing (23.4.4)
5. Artifacts caused by high density material (23.4.5)
6. Detector non-linearity and detector failure (23.4.6)
5. Magnetic Resonance Imaging (23.5.*)
1. Motion of patient (23.5.1)
2. Flow related artifacts (23.5.2)
3. Chemical shift (23.5.3)
4. Susceptibility (23.5.4)
5. Aliasing (23.5.5)
6. Truncation (23.5.6)
7. Zipper (23.5.7)
8. Magic angle artifact (23.5.8)
Page 18 / 18