International Day of Radiology at University Hospital Limerick

Cardiac imaging, a fast-growing subspecialty of Diagnostic Radiology, is playing an important role in the assessment and management of heart patients at University Hospital Limerick and around the country.
 
Staff at UHL have highlighted the various Cardiac Imaging techniques to colleagues and members of public on the International Day of Radiology, a global awareness event held annually on the anniversary of Wilhelm Rontgen’s discovery of the X-ray in 1885.
 
Radiology is one of the most important components of a patient’s journey with a large proportion of diagnosis and follow-up depending on Radiological examinations. These include, X-rays, ultrasound, CT and MRI scans as well as Interventional procedures and nuclear medicine studies. At UHL the Radiology team comprises specialist doctors or Radiologists, Radiographers, Nurses, Medical Physicists, Healthcare Assistants and Administrative Staff.
 
This year’s theme for International Day of Radiology 2018 was Cardiac Imaging, which has highlighted the increasingly important role of Radiology in Cardiac care, contributing to the diagnosis, pre-procedural work-up and follow-up of patients with a wide variety of Cardiac pathology, from coronary artery disease and valvular heart disease to defects in the size and shape of the heart.
 
Dr Tim Scanlon, Consultant Radiologist, University Hospital Limerick, said the most recent addition to Cardiac imaging services at UHL was CCTA (Coronary CT Angiography).
 
“Coronary CT angiography has become available in the last number of months, which is a positive development. This is a non-invasive examination which can evaluate the coronary arteries in certain patients. We also perform Coronary calcium studies, which are used for risk stratification.  Cardiac Imaging also includes Cardiac MRI  which is not currently performed here, however, we do hope to perform cardiac MRI here in time.
 
Our colleagues in Cardiology perform echocardiograms, diagnostic stress tests and also of course,  Interventional cardiology in the cath lab. In Radiology, we work with colleagues across multiple specialties in diagnosing and managing patients.” said Dr Scanlon.
 
Dr Julie O’Brien, Consultant Radiologist, University Hospital Limerick, who is the current Chair of the Cardiac Imaging Subcommittee of the Faculty of Radiologists in Ireland, said Radiologists can play a role in managing patients with Cardiac conditions.
 
“Our experience with imaging techniques and knowledge of anatomy is invaluable in the interpretation of the findings, however, this needs to be integrated with clinical information from our Cardiology colleagues to provide the correct diagnosis and facilitate optimal patient outcomes. In addition, Radiologists have a lot of experience with regard to the management of extra-cardiac findings which is an important consideration in every Cardiac imaging service. The combined approach is also optimal for teaching and research opportunities,” explained Dr O’Brien.
 
Dr O’Brien said colleagues in Radiology and Cardiology were determined to see cardiac imaging services in UHL continue to develop.
 
“In our hospital, Cardiac CT is linked to the acute chest pain unit, but I would like to see the development of a formal chest pain pathway in the near future. I also hope to expand the programme, to support the growing Cardiology service in our hospital including TAVI (transcatheter aortic valve implantation) and other devices and well as pre-ablation studies.”
 
“If the resources were available, I would be very keen to develop our Research group. We are fortunate that our colleagues at the University of Limerick have a lot of expertise, as well as our progressive Cardiology colleagues, which is a great opportunity that I feel we must support. In terms of Cardiac MRI, the biggest limitation, particularly in acute hospitals in Ireland, is access to the MRI scanner. If the resources were available, I would really like to provide better access to provide a complete and high-level service. This would be of huge benefit to patients as well as provide opportunities for Education and Training,” Dr O’Brien said.