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