Branch programme/details

The doctoral (Ph.D.) degree program entitled „Imaging Methods in Medicine“ covers various qualitative and quantitative methods of image analysis in biology and medicine. Research and the development of new imaging techniques and procedures, as well as the analysis, processing and interpretation of data are also emphasized. The degree program is closely related to molecular biology, molecular imaging, radiology, nuclear medicine, pathology and many other fundamental and clinical fields of biomedicine. The standard lenght of study is three years.
According to the article 3, paragraph 1, second sentence of the Code of Admission Procedure of Charles University, this programme of study is offered without specialization.

The admission examination takes place before the board in the form of an interview and verifies the student's eligibility for scientific work in the field and the ability to successfully complete the study. The applicant's expertise in the field and preparedness is evaluated by the board on the basis of the following criteria:
a. Quality of the topic and project of the dissertation thesis and the way of its presentation, proposal of the supervising tutor/consultant and financial coverage of the project – max. 50 points.
b. Previous scientific activity in this field (publications, presentation in a Student Scientific Conference, etc.) – max. 20 points.
c. Knowledge of this field in the extent of the master study (see recommended literature and model questions) – max. 30 points.

The minimum score for passing the entrance examination is 60 points.

To be admitted to study in the combined form, an applicant must obtain a minimum number of points for successful completion of the entrance examination equal to the minimum number of points required for admission.

Admission to Doctoral studies is conditioned by successful completion of a Master's study programme.

Verification method:	entrance exam
Confirmation date (of entrance exam) from:	09.06.2025	Until:	20.06.2025
Alternative date (of entrance exam):	23.06.2025	Until:	27.06.2025

History of the field - W.C. Roentgen; Discovery of X-rays Current division of the field into non-invasive and interventional radiology Fundamentals of X-ray examination technique - principle of X-ray - origin of X-rays - interaction of matter and X-rays - X-ray machine and its parts. Basics of sciagraphy and skiascopy. Shield image intensifier. Conventional tomography. X-ray image contrast, resolution. Geometric and motion blur of the image. X-ray contrast agents - negative and positive. Barium contrast agents Iodine contrast agents - ionic and non-ionic. Adverse reactions following iodine contrast agents and their management. Computed tomography (CT) - basic principles and indications - principle of CT image formation - pixel and voxel - density measurement - Hounsfield units - use of contrast agents in CT - spiral CT Ultrasonography (USG) - principle of ultrasound signal formation and detection - A, M and B mode - real time image - indications for ultrasound examination - basics of Doppler examination - colour Doppler mapping. Digital subtraction angiography (DSA) - principles of image digitization - suppression of unwanted structures - possible applications - reduction in the amount of c.l. applied without the need for selective catheterization.
Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) - basic principles of the method - precession - Larmor frequency - relaxation times T1 and T2, examination sequences - spin echo T1 and T2 weighted image - proton density - use of paramagnetic contrast agent - advantages of MRI compared to CT - main indications. MR angiography Osteoradiology; Radiodiagnosis of the lung, pleura and mediastinum; Radiodiagnosis of the heart and vascular system; Radiodiagnosis of the kidney and urinary tract; Radiodiagnostic methods in gynaecology and obstetrics; Radiodiagnostics of the liver, spleen and pancreas; Radiodiagnostics of the gastrointestinal tract;
Radiodiagnosis of the adrenal glands and retroperitoneum; Radiodiagnosis of the breast; Neuroradiology - brain and spinal cord diagnostics; Radiodiagnostics in ENT; Radiology of the arterial and venous system - examination methods; Radiodiagnostics of the lymphatic system; Fundamentals of interventional radiology; Vascular intervention; Neuroradiological interventions; Biliary tract interventions; Gynaecological interventions Ionizing radiation detection, detectors, principles and practical applications,
Radioactive conversion. Basic quantities and units in NM. In vivo measuring devices - scintillation probe, scintillation camera, whole body detector. Imaging methods in NM - static, dynamic scintigraphy, tomography. Radiopharmaceuticals - definition, dosage forms, requirements for radiopharmaceuticals, their control. Sources of radionuclides - nuclear reactor, accelerators, elution generators. Biological effects of radiation on the organism - stochastic and non-stochastic effects.
Radiation sickness - acute and chronic. Principles of radiation protection. Protection from external and internal contamination. Workplaces with radionuclides - categorization, SJB, control zone, supervising worker. Pneumological diagnostics - methods, radiopharmaceuticals, indications Lung perfusion scintigraphy - method principle, RF, indications and evaluation Myocardial perfusion - principle, RF, stress tests, indications and importance of the method
Nuclear neurology - neuroreceptor scintigraphy- SPECT- static scintigraphy
Nuclear endocrinology, thyroid, parathyroid, neuroendocrine tumours Dynamic renal scintigraphy - principle, radiopharmaceuticals, indications Static renal scintigraphy, principle, radiopharmaceuticals, indications Nuclear nephrology methods, functional and scintigraphic examination Diagnosis of inflammation by NM methods Skeletal scintigraphy, methods of performance, principle of three-phase scintigraphy, indications
Peculiarities in the examination of children in NM, differences in organ distribution of RF
Oncological diagnostics by NM methods, tumour markers, receptor analysis Immunoscintigraphy, principle, clinical use
Open radiation therapy in NM, palliative treatment of metastases, synovectomy
Diagnostics with 99m Tc-MIBI, 123 I - MIBG, 111In - Ocreoscan, clinical use"

Recommended literature:

"Radiologie pro studium a praxi"- Seidl Z. Burgetová A., Hoffmannová E., Mašek M., Vaněčková M., Viták T. GRADA 2017
"Základy radiologie a zobrazovacích technik" – Malíková H. a kol. Univerzita Karlova 2019
"Základy radiologie" – Heřman Miroslav a kol. Univerzita Palackého v Olomouci 2014
"Hořák, J.: Pediatrická radiologie (A)"
"Radiology Review Manual" – Wolfgang Dahnert
"Fundamentals of Diagnostic Radiology" – William E. Brant, Clyde A. Helms

Graduates in doctoral (Ph.D.) studies solve scientific and technological tasks in the sphere of processing and analysis of images in medicine or in biological fields. They are able to work as professional scientific and research specialists in particular medical and allied technological specialties. The graduates obtain the makings of qualified university teachers, able to gain higher scientific and educational degrees in their further careers.