Dark-haired woman looks at blue-gray images from a CT scan on a computer screen, and blurred in the background is CT machine in another roomThe curriculum of the Cardiothoracic Imaging fellowship includes thoracic, cardiac, interventional and elective rotations as well as time for research and participation in interdisciplinary pulmonary and thoracic oncology conferences.

Excellent working relations are maintained with:

  • Pulmonary medicine
  • Cardiothoracic surgery
  • Hematology-oncology
  • Cardiology
  • Pathology

Technology and Equipment

The Cardiothoracic Imaging fellowship program has access to:

  • Nine fast reconstructing multi-detector computed tomography scanners
  • Seven state-of-the-art ultrasound units
  • Five MR imaging units
    • 1.5T MR unit dedicated to cardiovascular imaging
  • Six remote control radiographic/fluoroscopic rooms
  • Special procedure rooms for:

    • visceral arteriography
    • digital subtraction angiography
    • ultrasound
    • interventional procedures

Clinical Rotations

Fellows are assigned to clinical rotations for a minimum of four days per week. Most clinical days are divided between cardiac imaging and thoracic imaging.

The assignment includes:

  • Interpretation of cases
  • Supervision of residents
  • Performance of procedures

For those interested in a 2-year fellowship, time may be provided for coursework in statistics, grant writing and additional research. Publication is strongly encouraged for those pursuing an academic career.

Conferences and Didactics

Interdisciplinary thoracic oncology and pulmonary conferences are held weekly and biweekly, respectively. Initially, all work is supervised by the faculty, with a transition to more independent function expected throughout the fellowship.

Cardiothoracic Imaging Research

One day per week may be provided to promote the fellow's research efforts. Opportunities available for research activities include:

  • Case studies
  • Descriptive studies
  • Laboratory studies

Members of the Department of Radiology include a group of engineers and physicists who are actively engaged in:

  • Development of magnetic resonance imaging
  • Digital tomosynthesis
  • Teleradiology
  • Picture archiving and communication systems

In addition, we have resources available in the departments of anatomy, pathology and biostatistics.

Research and development funds are available from the department and from North Carolina Baptist Hospital for meritorious pilot research projects by the fellows.

Call Duties

There is no in-house or overnight on-call commitment. The fellow participates in the department-wide schedule for daytime coverage, weekends and evening imaging coverage.