URO-RAD Diagnostic Imaging and Interventional Radiology in Urology

The Second-Level Short Specialisation Degreein Diagnostic Imaging and Interventional Radiology in Urology is an interdisciplinary training course that provides knowledge and tools to help professionals interpret first level imaging critically, and integrate it with second level imaging. 

Furthermore, participants will acquire the theoretical and practical knowledge necessary to carry out uro-radiological interventional procedures, and will be actively involved in prostatic ultrasound and biopsy procedures, and in actively assisting interventional radiology procedures in the urological field.

The program focuses on the diagnostics and treatment of male and female uro-genital system diseases, including prostatic, bladder and kidney cancer, urological malformations and urinary infections.

The Second-Level Short Specialisation Degree in Diagnostic Imaging and Interventional Radiology in Urology is addressed to radiologists, nuclear physicians, urologists, nephrologists, paediatricians, and interventional radiologists. 

By acquiring advance diagnostic imaging and interventional radiology skills in urology, the day-to-day clinical practice and interaction between specialists is improved. 

The Second-Level Short Specialisation Degree provides such an advanced and specialists training to allow placement in public and private healthcare facilities such as radiologists and nuclear physicians specialized in urology, interventional radiologists, paediatricians, nephrologists and urologists with advanced diagnostic imaging skills. Also, there are broad research opportunities, with particular focus on early urological cancer diagnostics and imaging strategies for post-surgery follow-up.

The Second-Level Short Specialisation Degree in Diagnostic Imaging and Interventional Radiology in Urology provides in-depth training on the following topics:

• Fusion Prostate Biopsy: technique to perform transperineal fusion prostate biopsies.
• Intra-surgical kidney ultrasound to assess kidney cancer.
• Indications for diagnostic imaging of urological diseases.
• Neonatal and paediatric ultrasound diagnostics: 2nd and 3rd level imaging in paediatrics, when and why.
• Use of radiographic and X-ray images in urology.
• Ultrasound semiotics: assessment of kidney and adrenal masses, and hydronephrosis.
• Vascular kidney anatomy: study of secondary vascular hypertension; kidney colour Doppler; anatomy and execution technique; use of ultrasounds as contrast medium in urology; assessment of fistulae and pseudoaneurysms.
• Ultrasound pattern for kidney diseases; kidney failure; non cancer kidney diseases; resistance index; role of indexes in medical and surgical kidney diseases; renovascular hypertension and transplanted kidney.
• Anatomy and semiotics of testicular and plaque-related ultrasounds; eco-guided testicular biopsies; normal and pathological anatomy of penis and testicle power Doppler. 
• Fundamentals of TC physics and contrast means; TC topographical anatomy of urological organs and pathologies; TC assessment of kidney masses, complex kidney cystitis and adrenal masses.
• Study of urinary stones; abdomen TC in polytrauma; application in uro-gynaecological diseases. 
• URO-TC, how to do it: tips and tricks; beyond TC: 3D printing and AI.
• Fundamentals of RM physics and contrast means: RM in uro-gynaecology (from endometriosis to fistulae); RM assessment of kidney masses; VI_RADS. PI-RADS; URO-RM, how to do it: tips and tricks, use of RM for genital study. 
• Fundamentals of PET/TC, PET/RM physics; kidney scan and osseous scan.
• Prostate, indication for stage 1 and 2; which imaging for staging and restaging of prostatic cancer (PET/TC, PET/MRI osseous scan)?
• Reading and interpretation of prostatic RM – PI-RADS; clinical cases.
• Reading and interpretation of bladder RM – VI-RADS; clinical cases.
• Prenatal ultrasound diagnostics in the urological field; neonatal and paediatric ultrasound diagnostics; assessment of paediatric kidney transplant.
• Assessment of urological diseases in children and guide to their treatment; interventional radiology in children.
• Kidney scans in children; DMSA: indications, techniques, rational interpretation and techniques.

Interventional radiology: how to place drains for pelvic collection, nephrostomies, pre and post-surgical kidney embolization, kidney mass treatment with crioablation or microwaves, polytrauma management, prostatic embolization.

The Second-Level Short Specialisation Degree in Diagnostic Imaging and Interventional Radiology in Urology uses a hands-on and theoretical educational approach, with in-person lessons, some of which on-line, and hands-on practice. It also includes visits to the OR to assist to intra-surgical ultrasounds, or during interventional radiology procedures. It includes lessons cycles concentrated in short periods, agreed with the professors and students.

The general ranking of merit for the academic year 2024/25 will be published on the Italian page of this Second-Level Short Specialisation Degree according to the timing provided in the Call.

Scientific managers:

Fabrizio Dal Moro
Giorgio De Conti

Speakers:

Anto Luigi Andres
Giulio  Barbiero
Michele Battistel
Giancarlo Bombonato
Nicola Caretta
Giuseppe Casarrubea
Laura Evangelista
Massimo Iafrate
Carmelo Lacognata
Alberto Lauro
Alessandro Morlacco
Federico Nalesso
Giacomo Novara
Matteo Todisco
Enrico Vidal
Fabio Zattoni
Pietro Zucchetta