DIPLOMA IN CT SCAN TECHNOLOGY

UNIT 1: Fundamentals of CT & Human Anatomy

Theory

• Introduction to Computed Tomography
• History and development of CT
• Basic principles of cross-sectional imaging
• Anatomical terminology and body planes
• Skeletal and muscular anatomy
• Head, neck, chest and abdominal anatomy
• Basic cardiovascular and neurological anatomy
• Role and responsibilities of a CT Technologist
• Professional ethics and patient confidentiality

Practical

• Identification of major anatomical structures
• Cross-sectional anatomy orientation
• CT room and equipment orientation
• Patient identification and communication
• Basic CT workflow
• Patient positioning principles
• CT documentation practices

UNIT 2: CT Physics & Image Formation

Theory

• Basic physics of CT imaging
• X-rays and their interaction with tissues
• CT X-ray tube and generator
• Data acquisition principles
• Attenuation and CT numbers
• Hounsfield Units
• Image reconstruction fundamentals
• Spatial and contrast resolution
• Image noise

Practical

• Identification of CT system components
• CT console orientation
• Understanding scan parameters
• Demonstration of CT numbers
• Image-quality observation
• Basic reconstruction demonstrations
• CT image documentation

UNIT 3: CT Equipment & Scanning Technology

Theory

• Components of a CT scanner
• Gantry and patient table
• X-ray tube and detector system
• Slip-ring technology
• Single-slice and multidetector CT
• Helical/spiral CT
• Scan parameters
• Automatic exposure-control concepts
• Equipment safety

Practical

• CT equipment identification
• Patient-table operation
• Gantry positioning
• Console operation under supervision
• Scan-parameter selection exercises
• Equipment start-up and shutdown
• Routine equipment checks

UNIT 4: Patient Care & CT Scanning Procedures

Theory

• Patient preparation for CT
• Patient identification and history
• Indications and precautions
• Positioning principles
• Routine head CT
• Chest CT
• Abdomen and pelvis CT
• Spine and musculoskeletal CT
• Trauma CT workflow

Practical

• Patient preparation
• Head CT positioning
• Chest CT positioning
• Abdomen and pelvis positioning
• Spine positioning
• Trauma-patient positioning
• Scan-planning exercises
• Patient communication and documentation

UNIT 5: Radiation Protection & Safety

Theory

• Radiation principles in CT
• Radiation dose concepts
• ALARA principle
• CT dose considerations
• Dose optimization
• Patient radiation protection
• Occupational radiation safety
• Shielding and controlled areas
• Pregnancy-related radiation-safety considerations
• Dose documentation

Practical

• Radiation-safety checklist
• CT protocol dose review
• Dose-monitoring awareness
• Scan-parameter optimization exercises
• Patient-safety procedures
• Radiation-area safety inspection
• Exposure documentation

UNIT 6: CT Protocols & Advanced Imaging

Theory

• Routine CT protocols
• High-resolution CT concepts
• CT angiography fundamentals
• Multiphase CT
• Thin-section imaging
• 3D reconstruction
• Multiplanar reconstruction (MPR)
• Maximum intensity projection (MIP)
• Volume-rendered imaging
• Special CT examinations

Practical

• Protocol selection exercises
• Thin-section acquisition demonstration
• MPR reconstruction
• MIP reconstruction
• 3D image reconstruction
• CT angiography workflow observation
• Image-processing practice

UNIT 7: Contrast-Enhanced CT & Patient Safety

Theory

• Introduction to contrast-enhanced CT
• Types of contrast media
• Contrast administration principles
• Patient screening and preparation
• Risk factors and precautions
• Recognition of possible adverse reactions
• Emergency preparedness
• Post-procedure patient care
• Contrast documentation

Practical

• Contrast-screening checklist
• Patient preparation
• Contrast-procedure workflow observation
• Injection-system demonstration
• Monitoring and documentation
• Emergency-response simulation
• Contrast safety checklist

Contrast administration must be performed only by appropriately authorized healthcare professionals according to institutional protocols.

UNIT 8: CT Image Quality, Artefacts & Post-Processing

Theory

• Principles of CT image quality
• Spatial and contrast resolution
• Noise and uniformity
• Common CT artefacts
• Motion artefacts
• Beam-hardening artefacts
• Metal artefacts
• Partial-volume effects
• Image reconstruction and post-processing
• PACS and DICOM fundamentals

Practical

• Image-quality evaluation
• Artefact identification
• Motion-artefact analysis
• Metal-artefact observation
• Image reconstruction
• MPR and 3D post-processing
• PACS workflow demonstration
• DICOM image handling

UNIT 9: Quality Assurance, Equipment Maintenance & Clinical Documentation

Theory

• CT quality assurance
• Quality-control principles
• Equipment performance monitoring
• Calibration concepts
• Preventive maintenance
• Image-quality monitoring
• Dose-quality optimization
• Equipment troubleshooting
• Clinical documentation
• Professional communication and ethics

Practical

• CT quality-control checklist
• Equipment inspection
• Image-quality assessment
• Calibration demonstration
• Maintenance documentation
• Error identification
• Protocol documentation
• CT examination records

UNIT 10: Integrated CT Technology Practicum

Theory

• Complete CT examination workflow
• Patient preparation and safety
• Protocol selection
• Scan planning
• Image acquisition
• Reconstruction and post-processing
• Radiation protection
• Contrast-safety awareness
• Quality assurance
• Professional CT technologist responsibilities

Practical

• Complete CT workflow
• Head CT procedure
• Chest CT procedure
• Abdomen and pelvis CT procedure
• Spine CT procedure
• Trauma CT workflow
• Contrast-enhanced CT observation
• MPR and 3D reconstruction
• Image-quality assessment
• Radiation-dose documentation
• Supervised clinical CT practicum

FINAL PROJECT

CT Imaging Protocol & Image Quality Project

Students will complete a supervised project demonstrating the complete workflow of a selected CT examination.

Project Components

1. Selection of an approved CT examination
2. Study of relevant cross-sectional anatomy
3. Patient preparation and identification
4. Selection of an appropriate CT protocol
5. Patient positioning
6. Scan planning
7. Documentation of technical parameters
8. Radiation-safety measures
9. Image acquisition under supervision
10. Image reconstruction and post-processing
11. Image-quality and artefact assessment
12. Final project presentation

Project Deliverables

• Project proposal
• CT protocol sheet
• Cross-sectional anatomy study
• Patient-preparation checklist
• Radiation-safety checklist
• Approved CT images/case material
• Image-quality assessment
• Post-processing examples
• Clinical logbook
• Final project report
• Practical demonstration and viva

Important: All CT scanning involving radiation exposure must be performed in an appropriately authorized facility under qualified supervision and according to applicable radiation-safety regulations.