Training & Education

This medical center has three well-organized IR suites (one biplane), containing flat-panel digital angiography units as well as a patient holding area. All procedure rooms are equipped with physiologic monitoring and resuscitative equipment. Each suite contains a dedicated ultrasound machine that has transabdominal and vascular capability. Ultrasound, CT, and MR, are all available within the Imaging Department. The suite is staffed with dedicated IR technologists and nurses. This busy hospital provides trainees with a large volume of cases and an extremely diverse case-load. There is experience in a broad spectrum of diseases and procedures. Exposure to advanced disease states occurs. The hospital is a level I trauma center and extensive experience with the diagnosis and management of traumatic injuries and bleeding complications is available. Additionally, there is a particularly high volume of embolization procedures. Los Angeles General Medical Center serves the underprivileged of LA County and brings a large population of patients with penetrating trauma, non-penetrating trauma, advanced cancer, end stage renal disease and liver disease, and unusual infectious diseases.

The purpose of the University Hospital rotation is to gain experience with complex interventions at a tertiary referral center. Specifically, there is an active transplant service at the Keck Hospital of USC and trainees are exposed to the management of multiple transplant complications. Additionally, there is a very large dialysis center associated with the University Hospital and trainees get extensive experience with the management of dialysis accesses. This hospital has a well-organized IR suite containing two flat panel digital interventional procedure rooms which include dynaCT (one biplane). The procedure rooms are equipped with physiologic monitoring and resuscitative equipment and are staffed by dedicated IR technologists and nurses. There is a patient holding area (shared with cardiology) in close proximity to the procedure area. Ultrasound, CT, and MR, are all available within the Imaging Department. A dedicated Non-invasive Vascular Ultrasound Lab exists in the hospital and fellows spend time interpreting vascular ultrasound examinations under the supervision of an attending. Keck Hospital of USC is primarily a surgical subspecialty hospital with an active hepatology service and liver / kidney transplantation program.

The purpose of the Norris Cancer Hospital rotation is to educate the trainees in Oncologic Interventional Radiology. The primary focus is on chemoinfusion and chemoembolization for malignancies. Local ablative techniques are used including radiofrequency ablation, cryablation, and Y-90 selective internal radiation treatment. There is additional experience in the management of other conditions caused by extensive malignancies, such as gastrointestinal hemorrhage, pulmonary embolus, and biliary obstruction. This hospital has a single flat panel digital IR procedure room, which includes dynaCT. It is staffed by dedicated IR technologists and nurses, and equipped with physiologic monitors and resuscitative equipment. Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center provides a high level of care to patients with unusual and complex cancers and is a leader in the management of liver cancer.

This rotation allows the trainees to perform a large number of interventions for peripheral vascular disease, including stent-grafts. This hospital has a large AVM referral center with multidisciplinary treatment planning/implementation. There is a large volume of embolization for uterine fibroids. Additionally, there is experience with pediatric intervention as well as image guided biopsies and drainages. There is an established Interventional Oncology program offering chemoembolization and radiofrequency ablation. Kaiser Sunset hospital provides the fellows with an HMO experience that includes a large volume of aortic stent-grafts, vertebroplasty procedures, and uterine artery embolization procedures.

The Interventional Radiology section has an active outpatient clinic for consultation with new patients and for patient follow up visits. Clinic visits typically precede or follow procedures for peripheral vascular disease, venous disease, uterine fibroids, or Interventional Oncology. A multipurpose angiography room exists for the performance of outpatient interventional procedures