Joint IAEA and Argonne National Laboratory Masterclass on Computed Tomography Clinical Physics and Optimization

INTRODUCTIONComputed Tomography (CT) has revolutionized medical diagnosis and treatment, offering detailed cross-sectional images of the body's internal structures. Since its inception in the early 1970s, CT technology has become an indispensable tool in the medical field, facilitating the early detection of diseases, guiding surgical procedures, and monitoring treatment outcomes. Its importance in modern healthcare cannot be overstated, with applications ranging from acute trauma assessment to cancer management and cardiovascular disease evaluation. This precision is critical for accurate diagnosis, planning surgical interventions, and tailoring treatment strategies to individual patient needs.However, the effective use of CT technology demands a comprehensive understanding of its underlying physics. The principles of X-ray generation, attenuation, image reconstruction, and the effects of varying parameters on image quality are fundamental to optimizing CT practices. Knowledge of these principles is essential for medical physicists to ensure the highest quality of imaging while minimizing radiation exposure to patients. Furthermore, optimization of CT imaging involves a delicate balance between obtaining the necessary diagnostic information minimizing radiation dose. This requires a deep understanding of factors such as dose modulation, image reconstruction algorithms, and the selection of appropriate imaging protocols tailored to specific clinical indications. Acknowledging all these needs, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) is organizing this course to address the global need for heightened expertise in the field of medical physics, CT quality assurance (QA), dosimetry and clinical optimization. This initiative underscores the IAEA's commitment to promoting the safe, secure, and peaceful use of nuclear technologies, including in healthcare. 
OBJECTIVESThe purpose of this masterclass is to orient and train medical physicists from around the world through sharing of experience and strategy on CT physics practice, informed by best processes in place at Duke University and beyond. Program includes the following:Didactic lectures covering topics of CT physics, practice, safety, and quality Clinical practice rounds with focus on appropriateness, safety culture, and workflowPracticum: safety-relevant demonstrations of the interplay of dose, image quality, and patient size CT protocol definition and managementCT specialized practices including contrast-enhanced CT, cardiac CT, interventional CT, perfusion CT, and photon-counting CTIn vivo and in vitro measures of quality assessment and assurance
TARGET AUDIENCEThe workshop is open to up to 30 participants from participating Member States of the IAEA. Noting that the scope of the training course is related to enhancing patient care in CT imaging practice through a masterclass, medical physicists need to be nominated by each Member State to strengthen CT medical physics activities and facilitate initiation of relevant activities in the Member States.The participants should be medical physicists providing medical physics services in a clinical environment pertaining to CT procedures, and/or individuals closely familiar with such services including Quality Management Systems and formal Quality Assurance procedures. The participants will be requested to submit a short summary of their experience on the CT QA, QC or dosimetry.This course is not intended for participants working for regulatory authorities or as inspectors.It is strongly advised that the participants bring their own laptops with them to this course as various software programs will be used and/or required to be installed prior to the masterclass.
The main TOPICS of this cours