Universitat Internacional de Catalunya
Diagnostic Imaging
Other languages of instruction: English, Spanish,
Teaching staff
Paloma Puyalto ppuyalto@uic.es
Introduction
Diagnostic Imaging is a compulsory subject of 5 credits that is taught in the third year of the Physiotherapy Degree. It allows knowing the different imaging techniques and their practical interpretation for the diagnosis of diseases that affect the human body.
In this course, the foundations of imaging techniques, their indications, contraindications and biological risks will be studied, as well as their principles of interpretation and the anatomy of the main structures of the thoracic, neural, and mainly musculoskeletal system through plain radiography, ultrasound, computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging.
Practical sessions will be held where the student will be able to learn to use the ultrasound to assess the anatomical structures of the upper and lower extremities.
Pre-course requirements
Not applicable.
Objectives
GENERAL OBJECTIVES:
- To Know the basic physical principles of imaging tests, their limitations, risks and contraindications.
- To know the radiological anatomy by plain radiography, ultrasound, computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging of the muscles, tendons, ligaments, joints, bones and vascular-nervous structures.
- To know how to interpret the main anatomical regions of the respiratory, nervous and musculoskeletal system in the different imaging techniques.
SPECIFIC OBJECTIVES:
- To become familiar with the different imaging techniques that study the respiratory, nervous and musculoskeletal system; its indications and contraindications.
- Learn the bases of the different imaging techniques that study the respiratory, nervous and musculoskeletal system , its biological risks, patient protection systems and their interpretation.
- To identify and describe the anatomy of the upper limb through the interpretation of plain radiography, magnetic resonance imaging, computed tomography, and classroom ultrasound.
- Identify and describe the anatomy of the lower limb through the interpretation of plain radiography, magnetic resonance imaging, computed tomography, and classroom ultrasound.
- Identify and describe the anatomy of the spine through the interpretation of simple radiography, computed tomography and magnetic resonance studies.
- Learn basic notions of the use of the ultrasound machine in the identification of the musculotendinous structures of the lower and upper extremity
Competences/Learning outcomes of the degree programme
- 01 - Have the ability to analyze and synthesize.
- 06 - To have comprehensive problem-solving skills.
- 20 - Knowledge of human anatomy and physiology, emphasising the dynamic interrelationship between structure and function, in particular of the musculoskeletal, the nervous and the cardiorespiratory systems.
- 21 - Knowledge of the physiological and structural changes that can occur after physiotherapeutic interventions.
- 22 - Knowledge of factors that affect human growth and development throughout the lifespan.
- 28.1 - Capacity for oral and written communication in the native language.
- 40 - Knowledge about, physiological, functional and behavioral changes that occur after physiotherapeutic intervention.
Learning outcomes of the subject
The student at the end of the course must be able to:
- Select the most suitable and safest imaging tests for the study of a certain anatomical region and pathology according to the type of patient.
- Identify the radiological anatomy in the different imaging tests.
- Performing and knowing how to interpret basic ultrasounds of the main anatomical structures of the upper and lower limb.
Syllabus
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CM Physical Bases of Imaging Techniques: RX, ECO and RM.
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CM Basic foundations of radiological protection.
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CM Bases of the interpretation of the Ultrasound of the locomotor system.
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CM Bases of the interpretation of X-rays of the musculoskeletal system.
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CM Bases of the interpretation of MRI and CT of the musculoskeletal system.
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CM Ultrasound study of the shoulder: sonoanatomy and radiological semiology.
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CM Ultrasound study of the elbow: sonoanatomy and radiological semiology.
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CM Ultrasound study of the wrist: sonoanatomy and radiological semiology.
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CM Ultrasound study of the hand: sonoanatomy and radiological semiology.
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CM Radiological study of the leg and hip.
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CM Radiological study of the knee.
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CM Study by image of the foot and ankle.
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CM Radiographic study, CT and MRI of the spine.
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CM Imaging study of the respiratory system.
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P1 Ultrasound practice session of the upper and lower extremity.
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P2 Radiological case study session of the upper and lower extremity.
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P3 Radiological case study session of the spine I.
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P3 Radiological case study session of the spine 2.
Teaching and learning activities
In person
Two-hour Master Classes where the theoretical content of the subject is reviewed.
Practical sessions, two hours each, where the student can apply what they have learned in the master classes.
Evaluation systems and criteria
In person
Midterm exam:
There will be one midterm exam.
It will cover all the material worked up to the day before, as well as the contents included in the recommended bibliography. It will consist in: -25 multiple choice questions.Theoretical contents of the subject taught up to the date of the exam will be included, as well as the anatomical identification in the different imaging techniques of the structures of the upper limb and the contents included in the recommended bibliography.
It will consist of:
- 25 multiple-choice questions administered on a computer. These will cover theoretical content from the course taught up to the date of the exam, as well as the anatomical identification of upper limb structures using different imaging techniques, and the content included in the recommended bibliography. Each question will have four options, with only one correct answer. Incorrect answers will deduct 1/4 of a point.
A minimum score of 5 (no rounding) is required to pass the midterm exam to be eligible for the course. It accounts for 50% of the course grade.
Final Exam:
Each student will be examined on the second part of the course.
The exam will cover theoretical content taught up to the date of the exam, as well as the anatomical identification of structures of the lower limb and spine, respiratory system, and central nervous system using different imaging techniques, and the content included in the recommended bibliography. Each question will have four options, with only one correct answer. Incorrect answers will deduct 1/4 of a point.
A minimum score of 5 (no rounding) is required to pass each partial exam. Each exam accounts for 50% of the final grade.
Students who have not passed the first partial exam and have not been exempted from the material will have to retake the exam immediately following the first partial exam retake.
Final grade: Midterm exam 50% + Final exam 50%.
Grades range from 0 to 10, with a maximum of one decimal place.
Students with a grade of 9 or higher on the first attempt may be eligible for honors by completing a project/exam at the discretion of the instructors.
Second and subsequent attempts
The second and subsequent attempts will cover all course content, regardless of whether any of the individual exams were passed.
Bibliography and resources
-A. Bueno. JL Del Cura. Ecografía musculoesquelética esencial. Ed. Panamericana.
-Möller Torsten Atlas de Bolsillo de Cortes Anatómicos. Tomografía Computarizada y Resonancia Magnética. Tomo 3: Columna Vertebral, Extremidades y Articulaciones. Editorial Médica Panamericana
-F.Netter. Atlas de anatomía humana. Ed. MassonSobotta. Atlas de anatomía humana. Ed. Panamericana.
- EULAR Ultrasound Scanning Guide: ultrasound.eular.org
Evaluation period
- E1 10/06/2026 A14 08:00h
- E1 10/06/2026 A15 08:00h
- E2 25/06/2026 A15 10:00h