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In 2001, the department performed a total of 110,897
imaging studies. This includes both women and paediatric
cases. There are a total of 18 examination rooms in
the department.
The imaging modalities available in the department
are :
- Radiography
- Digital fluoroscopy
- Ultrasound
- Spiral CT
- Mammography
- Nuclear Medicine
- Angiography
- Bone densitometry
- Interventional procedures
- Tubal contrast sonography
As the main provider of gynaecological ultrasound services
to the hospital’s gynaecologists, approximately
70 – 80 pelvic ultrasound scans are performed
each day in the department. About 90% of these will
include transvaginal scanning. Expansion of the technique
include saline infusion sonohysterography, tubal contrast
sonography and transvaginal biopsy / aspiration / drainage.
Other areas of sonography performed include breast,
abdominal, thyroid and venous ultrasound. The department
has 7 color Doppler machines, with one unit capable
of three-dimensional sonography.
Most of the referrals from the Women Hospital are gynaecologic
oncology cases. They include pre-operative cases for
work-up on cervical cancers, uterine and ovarian cancers,
as well as follow-up cases undergoing regular monitoring,
or further therapy. There are also a number of referrals
for spiral CT thorax for suspected pulmonary embolism.
Most cases are screening mammograms. Diagnostic work-up
is done when indicated. These are generally women above
the age of 40 years. A large proportion is on hormonal
therapy. We also perform diagnostic mammograms for symptomatic
women. Ultrasound guided breast aspirations and biopsies
are also available.
These procedures are performed with digital fluoroscopy.
Cannulation of the uterus and injection of contrast
material are performed. Selective salpingography and
recanalization of obstructed fallopian tubes are also
available.
The department’s training program for women’s
imaging encompasses the following main areas :
- Gynaecological imaging
- Obstetric ultrasound
- Breast imaging
Depending on the objectives and depth of training,
trainees may be posted for a length of 3 months –
1 year. The extent of practical hands on training will
also depend on the length of posting, as trainees with
no prior experience will need to undergo a period of
observational training prior to practical training.
Basic and advanced trainees are on a 6-month rotation
to the department during which they cover both women’s
imaging and paediatric radiology.
All trainees will be trained in plain film reporting,
intravenous urograms, barium studies, hysterosalpingography
(HSG), MCUs, ultrasound and CT scans. The level of training
in each of the modality is tailored according to the
length of posting. Mammography is offered only at the
advanced specialist trainee level. Cases handled by
the trainees shall be logged and certified by the supervising
radiologist.
Apart from practical hands-on training, basic and advanced
trainees will attend all the core lectures set out by
the STC (Radiology) that include the relevant topics,
e.g. obstetric ultrasound, gynaecological ultrasound,
CT and MRI of the pelvis, and mammography. They will
also attend tutorial sessions. Trainees and fellows
are also expected to attend regular meetings including:
- CT readout sessions (twice weekly)
- Ultrasound review (once / week)
- Gynaecologic Tumour Board (once / week)
- Birth defect clinic (once / week)
Trainees will be given assignments to follow-up patients
who had imaging studies in the department, make presentations,
contribute to the department film library, do write-ups
of cases, and perform research.
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