Overview

The Abdominal Imaging Division is composed of board-certified, subspecialty-trained radiologists with clinical and research interests involving both inflammatory and neoplastic diseases of the solid organs, soft tissues, and bowel. Members are responsible for services at Parkland Hospital, William P. Clements Jr. University Hospital, and Zale Lipshy Pavilion. Outpatient services are provided at the Aston Ambulatory Care Center and the Outpatient Building. Offsite locations include UT Southwestern Clinical Center at Richardson/Plano and the Moncrief Cancer Institute in Fort Worth.

Evaluation of diseases of the abdomen and pelvis using computed tomography, magnetic resonance, ultrasound, and plain film is an essential part of patient care. Common diagnoses identified on imaging include appendicitis, cholecystitis, diverticulitis, and pelvic inflammatory disease. Rapid communication of accurate results helps our physician colleagues devise a confident plan of care.

Cross-sectional imaging is also the test of choice for most cancer staging and assessment of response to therapy. Computed tomography or ultrasound guidance is invaluable for soft tissue biopsy and abscess drainage. The Abdominal Imaging Division provides these critical patient services and many more.

Members of the Abdominal Imaging Division have unique skills in assessing:

  • Pelvic floor dysfunction
  • Trauma
  • Bariatric surgical procedures
  • Organ transplantation
  • Gynecologic cancers
  • Thyroid cancer
  • Cirrhosis

Research interests of faculty members include:

  • Medical student education
  • Quality assurance and structured reporting
  • Patient-centered imaging protocols and workflow
  • Dual-energy computed tomography
  • Contrast-enhanced ultrasound
  • Cultural diversity and inclusiveness
  • Placental development
  • Neural networks and artificial intelligence

As an integral component of personalized comprehensive care, we participate in multidisciplinary conferences across campus. Faculty members also attend and teach at local, state, and national meetings.

We adhere to the ALARA principle – radiation dose as low as reasonably attainable. Radiation safety and image quality are continually reviewed by faculty members in association with physicists and technical and managerial staff. Quality assurance is assessed through regular peer review.

On campus we are part of medical student, radiology resident, and fellow education. We are early adopters of the upside-down classroom method, where students read background information, including physiology and pharmacology, before engaging in an active discussion of a clinical case.

Members of the Abdominal Imaging Division are available for consultation throughout campus via the paging and email systems. We look forward to providing excellent service to our colleagues and patients.