Head and Neck – Practical Surgery

Head and Neck – Practical Surgery

Jun 22, 2025

This course combines practical and theoretical parts of head and neck soft tissue surgery. Most of the time will be spent in the wet lab performing surgeries but enough theory will be given so the candidate is able to make good decisions on when and how to do the surgeries but also how to manage complications. The course is suitable for all levels from beginners to advanced as there will be something to be gained by everyone. It is also designed to be flexible so people can practice at their own pace and concentrate on techniques that they would like to perfect. The tutors will be available to observe, and have direct involvement in teaching the procedures.

Learning objectives

  1. To have an understanding of anatomy of the head and neck and related surgeries
  2. To understand the application and when to select different surgical procedures of the head and neck
  3. To learn enough of the theory to enable decision making when deciding which surgeries to perform
  4. To have knowledge of the risks and complications of each procedure and how to reduce these.

Jackie Demetriou will be one of the course tutors. She is a European Boarded Specialist in Small Animal Surgery, who has practiced specialist level soft tissue surgery for the past 20 years. She has worked in both academia (University of Edinburgh, University of Cambridge and University of Nottingham) and private referral practice. She has extensive experience teaching general practitioners the theory and practice of surgery and really enjoys seeing how surgeons gain confidence in managing cases and performing surgeries after these CPD events.

Day 1

  • Ear surgery
    • Pinnectomy, biopsy
    • Total ear canal ablation / bulla osteotomy
    • Ventral bulla osteotomy (cat)
  • Mandibulectomy – rostral and central
  • Maxillectomy – rostral and central
  • Soft and hard palate surgery
  • BOAS surgery

Day 2

  • Nasal surgery
    • Planectomy
    • Dorsal rhinotomy
  • Neck exploration
    • Thyroidectomy
    • Sialoadenectomy (mandibular)
    • Laryngeal tie back
    • Tracheostomy
Neurosurgery – Spinal Surgery

Neurosurgery – Spinal Surgery

Jun 17, 2025

Ventral Slot and hemilaminectomy are the most frequently performed spinal surgeries to treat cervical and throacolumbar intervertebral disc disease in dogs. The course will teach how to perform those two surgeries step by step, both as theoretical lectures as well as wetlabs using cadavers. However, spinal surgeries are only the last step in the work up of clinical patients. Therefore, clinical reasoning and spinal neurolocalisaton will be discussed as well.

Thomas Flegel (Germany)
Diplomate ACVIM (Neurology), Diplomate ECVN
(Neurology)

Veterinary Training
1986-1992 – Humboldt-University Berlin, Germany

Working Experience
1992-1998 – Working experience in large and small animal medicine in university (Freie University Berlin) as well as in private practice in Berlin
1998-1999 – Department of Companion Animals and Special Species College of Veterinary Medicine, North Carolina State University, USA, Internship in Veterinary Neurology
1999-2001 – Department of Veterinary Clinical Scienes, The Ohio State University, USA, Residency in neurology and neurosurgery
Since November 2002 – Department of Small Animal Medicine, University of Leipzig, Germany, Head of the section of neurology and neurosurgery

Veterinary and Academic Qualifications
1994 – Doctor medicinae veterinariae (summa cum laude)
2001 – Master of Veterinary Sciences (The Ohio State University, USA)
2003 – Diplomate American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine (Neurology)
2005 – Diplomate European College of Veterinary Neurology
2008 – European Specialist in Veterinary Neurology
2010 – Dr. med. vet. habilitatus (small animal surgery and small animal neurology)
2016 – 2018 – President of the European College of Veterinary Neurology

DAY 1

Time Title
09:00 – 09:15 Welcome and Introduction
09:15 – 09:45 Neurolocalisation spinal cord
09:45 – 10:45 Talk: Thoracolumbar hemilaminectomy
10:45 – 11:15 Coffee break
11:15 – 11:45 Wetlab Demonstration: Thoracolumbar hemilaminectomy (done by Flegel)
11:45 – 13:00 Wetlab: Thoracolumbar hemilaminectomy Part I (done by particpants)
13:00 – 14:00 Lunch break
14:00 – 15:45 Wetlab: Thoracolumbar hemilaminectomy Part II (done by participants)
15:45 – 16:15 Coffee break
16:15 – 17:00 Talk: Thoracolumbar partial lateral corpectomy

DAY 2

Time Title
09:00 – 10:30 Neurolocalisation spinal cord based on videos
10:30 – 11:00 Coffee break
11:00 – 11:45 Talk: Cervical ventral slot
11:45 – 12:15 Wetlab: Demonstration: Cervical ventral slot (Flegel)
12:15 – 13:15 Lunch break
13:15 – 15:30 Wetlab: Cervical ventral Slot Part I (done by participants)
15:30 – 16:00 Coffee break
16:00 – 17:00 Wetlab: Cervical ventral Slot Part II (done by participants)
Radiography of Hip and Elbow dysplasia

Radiography of Hip and Elbow dysplasia

Mar 27, 2025

This course is approved by GRSK and will cover the following subjects:

  • Introduction to hip dysplasia and elbow dysplasia.
  • Possibilities to reduce dysplasia: how can breeding influence the prevalence of HD and ED.
  • Radiographic technique – practical on how to take a proper radiographs for the assessment of the hip and elbow dysplasia. Quality evaluation of the radiographs for the HD and ED.
  • Explanation of different scoring systems.
  • Film reading session – scoring of the HD ED radiographs.

DAY1

Time Title
09.00 – 10.30 Welcome and Introduction
Introduction to hip dysplasia
Radiographic technique
10.30 – 11.00 Coffee break
11.00 – 13.00 Case discussion – positioning
Positioning – demonstration
13.00 – 14.00 Lunch break
14.00 – 16.00 Official HD scoring
Scoring criteria and grading
FCI, Swiss system
Transitional vertebrae
Spondylosis
16.30 – 17.00 Coffee break
17.00 – 18.30 Film reading session

DAY2

Time Title
09.00 – 10.30 Welcome and Introduction
Introduction to elbow dysplasia
Radiographic technique
10.30 – 11.00 Coffee break
11.00 – 13.00 Case discussion – positioning
Positioning – demonstration
13.00 – 14.00 Lunch break
14.00 – 16.00 Official ED scoring
Scoring criteria and grading
IEWG system
16.30 – 17.00 Coffee break
17.00 – 18.30 Film reading session
CT in Small Animals: Fundamental Principles and Indications with a Focus on Orthopaedics

CT in Small Animals: Fundamental Principles and Indications with a Focus on Orthopaedics

Mar 15, 2025

Course Overview

This course is designed for veterinary professionals who wish to prescribe, acquire, perform, and interpret standard computed tomography (CT) examinations.

The primary emphasis will be on the use of CT in the evaluation of joints and orthopaedic disorders, including intra-articular contrast studies. The course will also provide an overview of the indications and applications of CT imaging in neurological and cranial conditions.

Participants will begin by developing a solid understanding of CT technology, acquisition protocols, and the skills required to view and manipulate CT images effectively. Practical training in the use of DICOM imaging software will be included.

Further key topics include patient positioning, safe and effective handling, and a structured approach to image interpretation—highlighting the identification of relevant diagnostic findings and the formulation of appropriate differential diagnoses.

The programme features a balanced mix of lectures, clinical case discussions, and hands-on practical sessions to ensure a comprehensive and engaging learning experience.

Prof. Massimo Vignoli

Prof. Massimo Vignoli

DMV, DScM, PhD, SRV, Dip. ECVDI

Graduated in Veterinary Medicine at the University of Bologna with the thesis: “Hip dysplasia in dogs”. Specialized at the University of Turin in Veterinary Radiology with the thesis: “Kodak insight into dog thoracic radiology”. He then completed a residency program in diagnostic imaging in the Department of Radiology of the University of Zuerich and Turin. Travel Award and Resident Prize at the EAVDI / ECVDI European Congress, Murcia 2002, as best presentation on: “CT-guided biopsies in the skeleton. Diplomate from the European College of Diagnostic Imaging (Dip. ECVDI). To date, author / co-author of 284 scientific papers, of which 140 published in scientific journals. Co-Editor and/or Co-author of the books: “Radiology of the dog and cat”, Poletto Editore, 2005, “Veterinary Computed Tomoghraphy”, Edited by Tobias Schwarz and Jimmy Saunders, Wiley-Blackwell, 2011, “Manual of first aid and traumatology in small animals”, Viganò, Elsevier Edition, 2013, Atlas of Diagnostic Imaging of dogs and cats, Vignoli – Graham, EDRA, 2022. President of the Italian Society of Veterinary Diagnostic Imaging (SVIDI) 2001-2004. Adjunct Professor at the University of Naples, 2007-2009. Lecturer at the University of Pisa, Camerino; Naples. Doctor of Veterinary Sciences (PhD) at the University of Ghent, 2010. In 2011-13 member of the Board of the ECVDI. Full Professor of Radiology at the University of Teramo. Teleradiology consultant for several clinics in Italy and around Europe. Doctor in Sport Science in November 2018 with the thesis: “Correlation between vision training and batting in baseball”.

Andrea De Bonis

Andrea De Bonis

DVM, MRCVS, MSc, DipECVDI

Graduated in Bologna in veterinary medicine in 2018. Best Poster Prize at the European Congress EVDI, Edinburgh 2022 on “Sentinel lymph node mapping with indirect
lymphangiography for canine Mast Cell Tumour”. Author/co-author of 19 scientific studies, all of them in scientific journals. He co-edited the Italian translation of the textbook “Atlas of Diagnostic Imaging of the Dogs and Cats”, Massimo Vignoli, John Graham, EDRA, 2022. He worked for 2 years in a busy 24-hour veterinary clinic in Rome. In the meantime, he completed a Master degree in Diagnostic imaging in small animals at the University of Teramo. He started a rotating internship in 2020 in a UK referral “Southfields Veterinary Specialists”. After the rotating internship, he started a Specific Internship in Diagnostic Imaging at the same referral. In 2021 he became an ECVDI Resident in the Veterinary Medicine Teaching Hospital under the supervision of Prof. Vignoli.
In January 2025 he became a diplomate at the European College of Veterinary Diagnostic Imaging (ECVDI).

DAY 1

Time Title
09.00 – 10.00 Basic physics and applications of CT
10.00 – 10.30 Technique and positioning
10.30 – 11.00 Coffee break
11.00 – 12.30 Front limb part 1
12.30 – 13.30 Front limb part 2
13.30 – 14.30 Lunch
14.30 – 16.00 Case evaluation in groups and interactive discussion
16.00 – 16.15 Coffee break
16.15 – 18.00 Case evaluation in groups and interactive discussion
DAY 2

Time Title
9.00 – 9.45 Rear limb part 1
9.45 – 10.30 Rear limb part 2
10.30 – 11.00 Coffee break
11.00 – 12.30 Skull: nasal cavities, tympanic bullae and neurocranium
12.30 – 13.30 CT of the vertebral column: diseases of the spinal cord, osteoarticular and peri- and paravertebral soft tissues
13.30 – 14.30 Lunch
14.30 – 16.00 Case evaluation in groups and interactive discussion
16.00 – 16.15 Coffee break
16.15 – 17.00 Case evaluation in groups and interactive discussion
Thoracic Radiology – in depth

Thoracic Radiology – in depth

Mar 2, 2025

Two day course – In depth Thoracic Radiology – Including lots of practical tips for good radiographic technique, detailed discussion of lung patterns, the importance of X-rays for cardiac disease, pleural, mediastinal, thoracic wall disease. Plenty of time for nice interactive film reading sessions with lots of interesting cases and plenty of time to discuss them with the course delegates for the best possible learning experience.

Sérgio Guilherme LMV MRCVS

Sérgio Guilherme LMV MRCVS

Veterinary radiologist, AURA Veterinary, UK

Sergio graduated with distinction from the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine of the University of Lisbon. As part of his veterinary degree, he did a six month clinical externship at the Animal Medical Center, New York and Cornell University, USA. After two years working in general practice, he did a one year rotating internship at a referral hospital in the UK. This was followed by the completion of a three year ECVDI residency program in Diagnostic Imaging at the Royal Veterinary College, University of London. After that, he worked at Davies Veterinary Specialists and at Fitzpatrick Referrals and is now a radiologist at AURA Veterinary. He enjoys working across all imaging modalities – Radiography, ultrasound, CT and MRI. He is an author and co-author of peer-reviewed original articles and also enjoys teaching and lecturing, being a regular speaker in courses and conferences both in the UK and abroad.

DAY 1

Time Title
09:00 Lecture – General principles and technical aspects of thoracic radiography
10:30 Coffee break
11:00 Lecture – Logical interpretation of lung disease on thoracic X-rays
12:30 Lunch break
13:30 Lecture – The practical importance of identifying lung patterns
15:00 Coffee break
15:30 “Let’s get practical” – Film reading session: Small group and interactive discussion of cases and Q&A
18:00 End

DAY 2

Time Title
09:00 Lecture – Interpretation of cardiac disease: Why are radiographs important?
10:30 Coffee break
11:00 Lecture – Identifying pleural and mediastinal disease in thoracic X-rays cal interpretation of lung disease on thoracic X-rays
Lecture – Identifying diaphragm and thoracic wall disease in thoracic X-rays
13:00 Lunch break
14:00 Lecture – Oesophageal contrast studies
14:45 Coffee break
15:00 “Let’s get practical” – Film reading session: Small group and interactive discussion of cases and Q&A
18:00 End