Subspecialties
Vancouver Imaging radiologists are fellowship-trained in Emergency & Trauma, Abdomen, Chest, Cardiac, Body Intervention, Musculoskeletal, Neuroradiology and Interventional Neuroradiology (including Stroke Intervention). Our radiologists maintain their specialty certification in radiology with the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada and valid malpractice insurance through the Canadian Medical Protective Association.
Our Radiology Department is comprised of the following:
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Abdominal Division
The Abdominal Division provides sub-specialty interpretation of computed tomography (CT), magnetic resonance (MR) and ultrasound (US) imaging studies of the abdomen and pelvis, along with US and CT-guided biopsies and drain insertions. Additionally, it is a provincial resource for the evaluation, work-up and post procedural assessment of renal, liver and pancreatic transplants and evaluation of patients undergoing complex hepatobiliary and pancreatic surgery.
The Abdominal Division is at the forefront of utilizing dual-energy CT and cutting-edge MR techniques. The services supplied include the following:
- Early Obstetric Ultrasound, including assessment and management of certain types of ectopic pregnancy
- Doppler US evaluation for Carotid Disease and Vascular Graft follow-up
- Evaluation of gynecological conditions such as pelvic masses, fibroids, and endometriosis
- CT Colonography and Enterography for bowel pathology, including inflammatory bowel disease
- MR/US Fusion guided prostate biopsies for suspected prostate cancer
- Comprehensive liver, biliary, female pelvic and prostate MRI
- Contrast enhanced US characterization of liver and renal masses
- Liver fat and iron quantification with US and MR
- US and MR-Elastography for the non-invasive assessment of hepatic fibrosis
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Cardiothoracic Division
The Cardiothoracic Division provides comprehensive imaging techniques, including chest radiography, thoracic CT and MRI, Cardiac CT (coronary CT angiography and coronary calcium score CT) and Cardiac MRI, for the diagnosis and surveillance of pulmonary and cardiac pathologies. It works in close collaboration with Cardiology, Thoracic Surgery, Respirology, Infectious Diseases and Pathology, to provide exceptional patient care. The Cardiothoracic Division was first in British Columbia to perform Cardiac CT examinations. It provides CT-guided transthoracic needle biopsies and a pre-operative ‘fuzzy’ wire localization program to assist thoracic surgeons in the resection of lung malignancies. Our radiologists participate in the BC Cancer Lung Screening Program over multiple provincial health authorities to provide lung cancer screening to approximately 20,000 people per year. The services supplied include the following:
- Lung cancer (primary lung cancer and pulmonary metastasis)
- Pulmonary embolism and pulmonary hypertension
- Interstitial lung disease
- Lung transplantation
- Infectious diseases of the thorax (including immunocompromised cases)
- Complex post-surgical follow-up including in the lungs, mediastinum and esophagus
- Coronary artery disease
- Ischemic and non-ischemic cardiomyopathy
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Emergency & Trauma
The Emergency & Trauma Radiology Division provides subspecialty head-to-toe interpretation of radiography, CT, ultrasound, and MRI performed in the acute care setting. This includes accurate and expedited interpretation of whole-body CT in trauma, multiphase CTA and CT cerebral perfusion in stroke, cardiac CT in acute chest pain, and MRI in acute abdominal pain for young and pregnant patients.
The Emergency & Trauma Radiology Division has the largest Emergency & Trauma Radiology fellowship in the world with up to 10 fellows every year. The Emergency & Trauma Radiology Division has a close working relationship with industry vendors, including Siemens, and has conducted successful research projects in the field of rapid whole body FLASH imaging, high pitch ultra-low dose CT, volume dynamic perfusion imaging, dual-energy CT, CT cerebral perfusion and polytrauma imaging. The Emergency & Trauma Radiology Division is active in Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning, and Equity, Inclusion and Diversity Research.
The services provided include:
- Remote Emergency & Trauma Radiology coverage to more than 20 (number to adjust) hospitals across BC
- Tertiary center of excellence for imaging, diagnosis and management of acute stroke and trauma
- Internationally recognized expertise in dual-energy CT in the acute care setting
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Interventional Division
The Interventional Division is recognized internationally for all aspects of vascular imaging including state-of-the-art CT angiography, MR angiography, and strong involvement in the areas of trauma, vascular disease, venous disease, oncology, hepatobiliary surgery, gastroenterology, urology, dialysis and orthopedics. Being the point of entry in the Provincial imaging grid, the Interventional Division decides if embolization, stent grafting, or acute IR procedures are required. Their oncology programs have been world leaders for over 15 years in the imaging and treatment of image guided surgeries and procedures for solid organ tumors of the liver, lung, kidney, and bone. The Interventional Division is integral to triage, therapy and transfer of trauma patients for specialized care. The services provided are as follows:
- Angioplasty and Stenting
- Venous Disease Management
- Triage
- Aptness Therapy
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Musculoskeletal Division
The VGH-UBCH Musculoskeletal Division is an integral part of the musculoskeletal services at Vancouver General Hospital and University of British Columbia Hospital, which perform radiography, Ultrasound, Dual Energy CT, MRI, bone mineral density, and interventional procedures. The Musculoskeletal Division has a strong relationship with the British Columbia Cancer Agency for sarcoma imaging and palliative care MSK intervention program. In addition to having the largest Vertebroplasty program for vertebral fracture treatment and pain management along with pioneering the Cryotherapy for tumor treatment, the Musculoskeletal Division is world renowned for the revolutionary work done with the Canadian Arthritis Centre on Dual Energy CT diagnosis, treatment and monitoring of gout. The Musculoskeletal Division is a leader in sports imaging and is a proud partner of the Allan McGavin Sports Center for the image guided treatment of sports injuries. The services supplied include the following:
- Oncology and interventional procedures
- Sports Imaging and Orthopedics
- Rheumatology and Metabolic Bone Disease
- Vertebroplasty and cryoablation
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Neuroradiology Division
The Neuroradiology Division provides sub-specialized care in all aspects of brain, spine, head and neck imaging along with intervention. It is the major referral site for neuroimaging and neurointervention in British Columbia. The Neuroradiology Division routinely consults and collaborates with neurology, neurosurgery, spine surgery, and ENT (ear, nose and throat), as well as rehabilitation medicine, psychiatry, plastic surgery, and the Emergency Trauma Division. The Interventional Neuroradiologists work with the endovascular neurosurgeons to provide the full scope of neurointerventional procedures. The services provided include:
- Cerebral and Spinal Angiography
- Endovascular Management of Stroke and Atherosclerosis
- Vascular Malformation and Fistula Management
- Preoperative Embolization and Epistaxis Embolization
- Spinal Procedures, including Pain Management, Vertebroplasty, Biopsies, and Treatment of Spinal CSF Leaks