Teaching Radiology Physics Interactively with Scientific Notebook Software

Rationale and Objectives

The goal of this study is to demonstrate how the teaching of radiology physics can be enhanced with the use of interactive scientific notebook software.

Methods

We used the scientific notebook software known as Project Jupyter, which is free, open-source, and available for the Macintosh, Windows, and Linux operating systems.

Results

We have created a scientific notebook that demonstrates multiple interactive teaching modules we have written for our residents using the Jupyter notebook system.

Conclusions

Scientific notebook software allows educators to create teaching modules in a form that combines text, graphics, images, data, interactive calculations, and image analysis within a single document. These notebooks can be used to build interactive teaching modules, which can help explain complex topics in imaging physics to residents.

Introduction

The American Board of Radiology (ABR) Core Examination assesses knowledge of physics as part of its overall testing in clinical radiology. Physics questions are integrated into each category of this examination . Topics emphasized include image quality, artifacts, radiation dose, and patient safety for each modality or subspecialty organ system. Radiology residencies therefore include instruction in physics as part of the residency curriculum. However, imparting an adequate understanding of imaging physics remains a challenging task.

Zhang et al. showed that a hands-on exposure to clinically oriented physics was not only well received by radiology residents but also improved their understanding of the material. It occurred to us that such physical hands-on experiences could be supplemented or possibly even replaced by suitable simulations.

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Methods

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Using Jupyter

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Results

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Nuclear Medicine

Module 1. Simple Radioactive Decay

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A(t)=A0e−λt, A

(

)

−

where A 0 is the initial activity, t is time, and λ is the decay constant—the probability that a radioatom will decay per unit time . This decay constant is related to the isotope’s half-life (t12) (

) —the time when 50% of the radioatoms present will have decayed—as shown in Equation 2 :

t12=ln(2)λ. t

(

)

Half-life has direct implications in nuclear medicine imaging, radiation therapy, and radiation safety. For example, the half-life can make it relatively simple to calculate how much of a radioisotope will be left after a given time. For example, technetium-99m ( 99m Tc) has a half-life of about 6 hours. Therefore, after 24 hours, the remaining amount of 99m Tc will be 1/2 × 1/2 × 1/2 × 1/2 or 1/16 of the original amount.

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Module 2. Technetium Generator Simulation

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99Mo→λA99mTc→λB99Tc 99

→

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parent→λAdaughter→λBgranddaughter parent

→

daughter

→

granddaughter

can be expressed by the Bateman equation (Eq. 5 ) :

Aparent=λdaughterλdaughter−λparentAparent(0)(e−λparentt−e−λdaughtert). A

parent

daughter

−

parent

(

)

(

−

parent

−

daughter

)

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Secular equilibrium

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Transient equilibrium

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Ultrasound

Module 3. Sound Interference Patterns

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Module 4. Doppler Shift Simulation

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fobs=forig×cc+Vsource, f

orig

source

where f orig is the original frequency, f obs is the observed frequency, c is the velocity of sound in a medium, and V source is the speed of the source.

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Vradial=Vsource×cosθ, V

radial

source

cos

where θ is the angle between the source’s forward direction of travel and the line of sight from the source to the observer.

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Magnetic Resonance Imaging

Module 5: T2 vs T2*

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Mxy(t)=M0e−tT2 M

(

)

−

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1T2*=1T2+1T2i. 1

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Module 6: Magic Angle Effect in a Tendon

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Module 7: MR Contrast Optimization

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Intensity=H⋅e−TET2(1−2e−(TR−3τ)T1+2e−(TR−τ)T1−e−TRT1), Intensity

⋅

−

(

−

(

−

)

−

(

−

)

−

)

where H is the local hydrogen density, T1 is the longitudinal magnetic relaxation constant, T2 is the transverse magnetic relaxation constant, TR is the pulse repetition time, TE is the echo delay, and τ is the time between the first 90° radiofrequency pulse and the first 180° radiofrequency pulse in the spin-echo pulse train.

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contrast=Intensitytumor−Intensitybackground contrast

Intensit

tumor

−

Intensit

background

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TABLE 1

Measured Values of Tissue Parameters From the Literature

Tissue H T1 (ms) T2 (ms) Normal fat 1170–1580 214–242 46–58 Normal marrow 1280–1410 210–246 51–60 Normal muscle 1000 456–520 28–40 Fibrosarcoma 1180 991 71 Giant cell tumor 950 965 68 Osteogenic sarcoma 1360–1990 991–1213 58–62

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Discussion

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Conclusions

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References

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Teaching Radiology Physics Interactively with Scientific Notebook Software

Rationale and Objectives

Methods

Results

Conclusions

Introduction

Methods

Using Jupyter

Results

Nuclear Medicine

Module 1. Simple Radioactive Decay

Module 2. Technetium Generator Simulation

Secular equilibrium

Transient equilibrium

Ultrasound

Module 3. Sound Interference Patterns

Module 4. Doppler Shift Simulation

Magnetic Resonance Imaging

Module 5: T2 vs T2*

Module 6: Magic Angle Effect in a Tendon

Module 7: MR Contrast Optimization

Discussion

Conclusions

References

Further Reading

(Lack of) Measurable Clinical or Knowledge Gains From Resident Participation in Noon Conference

Attitudes of Radiology Program Directors Toward MD-PhD Trainees, Resident Research Productivity, and Dedicated Research Time

Best Practices From the APDR