Diagnostic Imaging in Rehabilitation: Cervical and Dorsal Spine (Prof. Mauro Branchini) - Streamed Stand C14

The course "Diagnostic Imaging in Rehabilitation: Cervical and Dorsal Spine" is designed to provide an in-depth overview of the application of radiological imaging techniques in the evaluation of the cervical and thoracic spine for rehabilitation purposes. The course will explore various imaging methods, offering a detailed analysis of normal and pathological findings.

Through the use of various imaging technologies, even minimal pathological alterations in bone, disc, ligament, and surrounding soft tissue can be detected. The main pathological aspects of the vertebral bodies, interapophyseal joints, intervertebral discs, ligament structures, paravertebral muscles, and adjacent structures will be explored, including degenerative somatic and joint bone disease, disc disease, as well as inflammatory and infiltrative-neoplastic conditions.

The course aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of the various radiological imaging modalities, focusing on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), computed tomography (CT), and conventional radiology (X-ray). The different sequences and weightings used in MRI will be illustrated, as will the different viewing windows and possible reconstructions in sagittal and 3D planes in CT, the different projections, and the panoramic view of X-rays. Furthermore, practical clinical case examples will be provided and the correlations between radiological images and radiologists' reports will be discussed.

A key aspect of the course will be a reinterpretation of conventional spinal radiology, highlighting the importance of changes in coronal and sagittal curves, interbody spaces, and joint relationships in determining postural and morphodynamic alterations. This approach will allow for a better understanding of the clinical implications of radiological images.

The course will be particularly useful for rehabilitation professionals wishing to acquire a thorough understanding of radiological imaging applied to the cervical and thoracic spine. It will allow them to correctly interpret radiological examinations, integrating the results with the patient's clinical picture and history, in order to plan a targeted and effective rehabilitation treatment.