Cardiothoracic Imaging Division

The Cardiothoracic Imaging Division interprets chest radiographs, thoracic CT and MR examinations for Presbyterian-University Hospital and Shadyside Hospital. It also provides thoracic CT interpretation of for Bedford Memorial Hospital. The division provides consultation on problematic chest imaging cases for all UPMC facilities. The division also provides evening ED coverage for thoracic studies at Presbyterian-University Hospital, Shadyside Hospital, Magee-Women’s Hospital, and Mercy Hospital. UPMC has been involved in all phases of the COPD-Gene national research study. Low dose lung cancer screening CT is currently being performed at both Presbyterian-University Hospital and the Hillman Cancer Center. The division has been a national leader in lung cancer screening with research projects (PLuSS study) since 2001. There is a very large number of diverse and interesting imaging cases referred to our medical center. Thoracic surgery is very involved in surgery for malignancy, lung reduction for emphysema, lung transplantation, and esophageal diseases. The pulmonary medicine division is a national referral center for interstitial lung disease. The thoracic imaging performed at UPMC provides a wide spectrum of cases (common and rare) and provide excellent teaching material to our residents. The division has excellent collegial relations with cardiac surgery, cardiology, thoracic surgery, and pulmonary medicine with multiple interdepartmental conferences and collaborative research projects.

The Cardiac Imaging sub-division is involved with the interpretation of Cardiac MRI exams (including stress MRI for perfusion), and all imaging related to the Thoracic Aorta (both CT and MRI). The service also provides interpretation of coronary artery CT imaging. The thoracic aorta surgery service is one of the busiest in the world and imaging is a crucial component to preoperative and postoperative patient care. The subdivision is involved in multiple research projects.

The division is primarily bases at PUH but provide coverage at Shadyside Hospital on a daily basis. The division is academically productive with multiple research projects involving both chest and cardiac imaging. It is a high volume radiology service providing interpretation of the large number of chest and cardiac imaging cases performed every day at UPMC.