A struggling student mom's notepad

upper limb & lower limb

nobody@vox.com(Hanim) — Sat, 07 Nov 2009 02:57:40 +0800

Since I'm in Trauma Reporting... I should be doing my radiography.

Let's be ambitious and finish off the upper and lower limbs this weekend!

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November

nobody@vox.com(Hanim) — Sat, 07 Nov 2009 01:42:50 +0800

It's my birthday month, a year older, a year wiser?

This also means that I should start my mcq. Shucks, I haven't even finished my textbooks.

5kg overweight.

But no more coffee addiction *yay*.

I hope my back pain will subside as I'm taking better care of myself.

Physio and pilates, and chiropractor. Anything as long as I don't need epidural steroid injection.

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FB on NB at SB

nobody@vox.com(Hanim) — Sun, 18 Oct 2009 23:34:54 +0800

Image583

This was last week when I went to PMC. Where else to chill, especially on that day when Starbucks gives out free coffee. Hmm.... I really should stick to no-morning-coffee in weeks to come.

Towards healthier lifestyle?

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past 2 weeks

nobody@vox.com(Hanim) — Sun, 18 Oct 2009 19:45:49 +0800

In Nuclear Medicine past 2 weeks, so much to do and learn, so little time!

Surviving without my dose of early morning coffee since Tuesday. Of course I had 2 days worth of withdrawal headache, but hoping this will last this time around. It's such a diuretic that I get pretty dehydrated when I'm fasting.

Yay! Fasted 6 days, just 1 more day to go.

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interesting oncall

nobody@vox.com(Hanim) — Thu, 01 Oct 2009 01:55:22 +0800

ultrasound hepatobiliary
CT thorax - ricocheting bullet effect (seriously!)
CT brain/ skull/ cervical spine

Rest weren't as exciting. Or rather I picked the above three studies to do at the moment.

CT is over... but wasn't doing much reporting compared to the menial task. Mammo is a great posting coz it's all about the breast only. Normal, menopausal, lactating, gynecomastia, TABAR, BIRADS, biopsies.

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little things that matter...

nobody@vox.com(Hanim) — Thu, 01 Oct 2009 01:47:42 +0800

in the past week:

me getting UD44 (finally!)
DH losing 2kg+ in a week
LO navigating stairs confidently
my lil' babbler wanting to do phonics now

Those little things that make me stop the whiny voice in me (like what the heck have I gotten myself into, whether I'd survive this 4 years of torture).

Suck it up, char bo! Fine mess you've gotten yourself into.

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Syllabus for First FRCR Examination

nobody@vox.com(Hanim) — Sun, 27 Sep 2009 22:24:12 +0800

Syllabus for First FRCR Examination

Published: December 2005

INTRODUCTION

It is intended that the syllabus should be delivered through approximately 30 hours of formal physics teaching. For those undergoing specialist training in the UK, this would usually be scheduled over an eight week period starting in early October with the intention that trainees sit the First FRCR Examination at the Winter sitting in early December. Further elements of physics, as detailed in the syllabus for the Final FRCR Examination, should be taught later in the first year of training.

AIMS

The aim of the examination is to ensure that candidates have a sound knowledge of the basis of physics related to diagnostic imaging. This includes a detailed understanding of the principles of diagnostic imaging equipment and the properties of diagnostic images. Candidates should be able to describe the factors affecting image quality and patient dose and be able to use equipment correctly. When linked with their subsequent radiology training, this will enable safe and effective application of medical diagnostic imaging techniques for the benefit of patients. Furthermore, within the current UK framework for radiation protection of staff and patients, candidates will understand the basis for radiation protection guidance and have the knowledge to enable them to act as qualified practitioners within the remit of the UK legislation.

OBJECTIVES

The candidate should be able to demonstrate an understanding of

the structure of the atom, the types of radiation and the modes of radioactive decay
the important electron and photon interactions with matter and state how they vary with energy and properties of the material
attenuation in terms of absorption, scatter, HVL, and understand the inverse square law
the basic physics of the production of x-rays
radiation quantities and units: activity, Kerma, absorbed dose, equivalent dose, effective dose and the relationships between these quantities
the biological effects of radiation on tissue
stochastic and deterministic effects of radiation
radiation risk, risk values and understand how factors such as age affect these values
the concept of radiation risk from medical exposures to patients
the requirements for the protection of staff and members of the public arising from their use of radiation and the extent to which they are responsible for safety within the overall radiation protection framework
the UK regulations governing the medical exposure of an individual and of their own and other people’s responsibilities
their own responsibilities regarding the restriction of the environmental impact of their use of radiation
measures of image quality
the basic physics of image receptors
the physics of CT imaging with particular reference to factors affecting image quality and dose
nuclear medicine physics with particular reference to factors affecting image quality and dose

SYLLABUS

Fundamental Physics of Matter and Radiation
1. Basic Physics
  Fundamental properties of matter and radiation decay
  Interactions of ionising radiation with matter, including contrast agents
2. Radiation Hazards and Dosimetry
  Biological effects of radiations
  Risks of radiation
  Principles of radiation protection
  Kerma, absorbed dose, equivalent dose, effective dose and their units
Practical Radiation Protection
1. General Radiation Protection
  General radiation protection
  Radiation protection of the patient including pregnancy, infants and children
  Radiation protection of staff and members of the public
  Use of radiation protection devices
Statutory Requirements and Non-Statutory Recommendations
1. Ionising Radiations Regulations 1999
  Responsibility for radiation safety
  Local rules and procedures
  Role of radiation protection adviser and radiation protection supervisor
  Classified workers
  Restriction of exposure (through design, systems of work and ppe)
  Dose limits
  Equipment used for medical exposures
  Notification of incidents
  Dose constraints for comforters and carers
  Routine inspection and testing of equipment
  Notification of incidents
2. Ionising Radiation (Medical Exposure) Regulations 2000
  Responsibilities of referrer, operator, practitioner, employer and medical physics expert
  Patient identification and consent
  Dose recording and diagnostic reference levels
  Adequate training and local entitlement
  Employer procedures
  Quality assurance programmes, clinical evaluation of exposure and clinical audit
  Notification of incidents
  Research exposures, including ethics committees and dose constraints
  Health screening
3. Other relevant legislation
  - Medicines (Administration of Radioactive Substances) Regulations 1978
  - Radioactive Substances Act 1993
Diagnostic Radiology and Radionuclide Radiology
1. General Principles
  Projection and tomographic images
  Analogue and digital images
  Image display
  Image quality, including contrast, spatial resolution and noise
2. X-Ray Production and Radiology
  Production of x-rays
  General and mammographic x-ray equipment
  Film-screen radiography
  Digital and computed radiography
  Factors affecting radiation dose and image quality
3. Fluoroscopy and Fluorography
  Image intensifiers and digital detectors
  Operator controlled variables
  Measurement of image quality
  Factors affecting radiation dose and image quality
4. Computed Tomography
  Basic physics of CT
  Factors affecting radiation dose and image quality
5. Patient Dosimetry
  Methods
  Diagnostic reference levels, including high dose techniques
  Magnitude and measurements
6. Radionuclide Imaging
  Fundamentals of the gamma camera
  Properties of radiopharmaceuticals
  Factors affecting radiation dose and image quality
  ARSAC
  Radiation protection requirements for
  - Handling of radionuclides
  - Conception, pregnancy and breastfeeding
  - Arrangements for radioactive patients
  - Keeping of radioactive substances
  - Disposal of radioactive waste

EXAMINATION STRUCTURE

The examination is held three times a year – normally in the second week of March, June and December.
Candidates are restricted to a maximum of three attempts at the examination.
No minimum period of clinical experience or clinical radiology training needs to have been completed in order to enter the examination nor is confirmation of course attendance required. The application form does not require the signature of the head of the candidate's training scheme.
The examination comprises a single paper of 25 multiple choice questions, which is of 1¼ hours in duration.
Candidates are able to sit the examination at five UK venues (Birmingham, Bristol, Edinburgh, London and Manchester) and three non-UK venues (Dublin, Hong Kong and Singapore).
Candidates who made 1-3 unsuccessful attempts at the First FRCR Examination prior to the introduction of the current format (including attempts at examinations that granted exemption from it – details of which can be found separately in the document Regulations for the Examination) are permitted up to three attempts at the current format examination. Candidates who made four unsuccessful attempts at the First FRCR Examination prior to the introduction of the current format examination at the Winter 2002 sitting (including attempts at examinations that granted exemption from it) are not permitted to enter the current format examination.
No exemption is granted from the First FRCR Examination on the basis of success in any other examination.

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www.rcr.ac.uk

nobody@vox.com(Hanim) — Sun, 27 Sep 2009 21:17:37 +0800

Rcr

FRCR part 1?

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Whose Aunt Minnie?

nobody@vox.com(Hanim) — Wed, 16 Sep 2009 21:00:17 +0800

Kimberly E. Applegate, MD and
Duncan V. B. Neuhauser, PhD

+Author Affiliations

Division of Pediatric Radiology, Rainbow Babies and Children's Hospital, 11100 Euclid Avenue, Cleveland, OH 44106
Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, Cleveland, Ohio

Editor:

The term “Aunt Minnie” describes an imaging finding that is both perfectly obvious and pathognomonic of a disease (1,2).

We have tried to answer the question of who coined the term by asking the family of the late Dr Edward B. Neuhauser. Gernda Neuhauser, his wife, is certain that he had no aunt or relative named Minnie. However, she believes that the term was adopted by her late husband from the lore of New England. It may have been a local phrase with special meaning, similar to “Uncle Charlie” or “Uncle Ben.” Regardless of its origin, it remains a useful descriptor in the practice of radiology today.

A well-known example occurred approximately 4 years ago in the radiology department at Boston Children's Hospital. A pediatrician was consulted for a second opinion regarding a 4-year-old child who was thought to have been battered. He brought the radiologist a skeletal survey. The radiologist looked at the survey and said, “This is leukemia.” Startled, the clinician protested that the complete blood cell count was normal. The radiologist replied, “What can I say? It's an Aunt Minnie!” Several weeks later, a repeat complete blood cell count was abnormal and the child was symptomatic with leukemia.

REFERENCES

↵

Teele RL, Griscom NT. Aunt Minnie (letter). Radiology 1998;208:829-830.

Medline
↵

Berlin L. Aunt Minnie's atlas and imaging-specific diagnosis (book review). Radiology 1997; 204:278.

FREE Full Text

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exciting life?

nobody@vox.com(Hanim) — Tue, 15 Sep 2009 07:18:38 +0800

Trying to look from another point of view (other than Part exam in May)... life's pretty exciting *trying to psyche myself up*. Ex minister, famous artist, my LC's daughter are among patients that I see. Hmm my reaction to them is exactly how I treat other patients. Get consent, explain procedure, ensure they adhere to follow ups, get the reports ready. I'm not getting back home early these days.... thanks to ever so famous bazaar ramadhan here that causes a bad jam in the neighbourhood. That's one thing I won't miss after Ramadhan. Oh...that, and horrible driving (everybody seems to be rushing home).

Raya is around the corner.... today is class day (means no work), then I'm starting my pre Raya hols. Going back to work after the public holidays to be on 24 hours oncall.

LO has 2 baju kurungs. I thought 1 was supposed to be kebaya? I'll sort that out after Raya with the tailor. 3 bajus for me this year... after a hiatus of 2-3 years without new baju kurung/kebaya (2 pregnancies, BF a baby). DH got a new baju melayu and baju batik too. It's not so much for Raya, but also for occasions of the year.

Oh, I got Anugerah Perkhidmatan Cemerlang. Extra duit raya for me :)

Jangan harap nak dapat masa keje kat hospital what more tengah buat masters.

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