MEL 8707: Cardiothoracic Radiology

Dr. Carlos Rojas

This elective is designed to introduce senior students to the pracitice of cardiac and pulmonary imaging, including radiography, computed tomography, magnetic resonance imaging, and interventional chest procedures. During this rotation, students will spend time with faculty and housestaff at Tampa General Hospital. This elective will provide students with a better understanding of the role of imaging and diagnostic procedures in disorders of the heart, mediastinum, pleura, airways and lungs.

Objectives

On this elective, the medical student will obtain:

1. An understanding of the indications for advanced cardiothoracic imaging (HRCT of the lungs, CTA of the heart and lungs, and cardiovascular MRI)
2. A fundamental understanding of basic cardiothoracic imaging with respect to pertinent normal anatomy on cross-sectional imaging
3. The ability to discuss the most common pathologic entities of the chest
4. A basic understanding of technique and indications for imaging-guided biopsy and drainage procedures in the chest

Methods

The trainee will review cardiothoracic imaging studies with faculty and diagnostic radiology housestaff at Tampa General Hospital. The trainee will also have the opportunity to view thoracic interventional procedures at Tampa General Hospital. Upon completion of this elective, the training should understand the role of imaging in the diagnosis of chest pathology and have a basic understanding of imaging diagnosis of chest diseases on radiography, computed tomography, and magnetic resonance imaging. At the end of the elective, the trainee will give a 10-minute presentation on an interested case encountered during the rotation.

Evaluation

The trainee will work closely with the attending radiologists and housestaff who will provide the assessment of performance.