Program Overview

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Program Overview

The University of Montreal offers a specialized program in abdominal and pelvic imaging, which is a subspecialized training program lasting a minimum of 12 months, with the possibility of extension to 18 and 24 months. This program follows a complete residency in general diagnostic radiology.

Admission Requirements

To apply for the specialized program in abdominal and pelvic imaging, candidates must hold a Doctor of Medicine degree and a specialist degree in radiology. Perfect mastery of spoken and written French is required. Candidates must provide a letter of motivation, a curriculum vitae, and three letters of recommendation sent directly by the referring physicians.

Program Objectives

The program aims to provide specialized training in abdominal and pelvic imaging, including diagnostic and interventional radiology. The objectives of the program are to:

• Acquire a subspecialty in abdominal and pelvic radiology
• Master a high volume of investigations by radiography, CT, and MRI of the abdomen and pelvis
• Take charge of a high-volume ultrasound program
• Perform fluoroscopic examinations
• Interact professionally and effectively with referring physicians

Clinical Objectives

The clinical objectives of the program are to:

1. Master diagnostic imaging: Perform and master a high volume of investigations by radiography, CT, and MRI of the abdomen and pelvis.
2. High-volume ultrasound: Take charge of a high-volume ultrasound program, including abdominal, pelvic, testicular, thyroid, and superficial ultrasounds, as well as hepatic and renal Doppler.
3. Fluoroscopic examinations: Perform fluoroscopic examinations, including barium swallow, barium meal, small bowel study, enema, cystography, and urethrography.
4. Professional interaction: Interact professionally and effectively with referring physicians who consult for abdominal and pelvic imaging.

Interventional Objectives

The interventional objectives of the program are to:

1. Recognize complex surgeries: Recognize the radiological appearance of multiple complex surgeries and their complications and offer a treatment plan by interventional radiology when possible.
2. Perform interventions: Perform interventions, including biopsy, drainage of collections, cholecystostomy, cystostomy, radiofrequency ablation, and cryoablation, under fluoroscopic, ultrasound, and CT guidance.
3. Manage complications: Know the indications and contraindications of various procedures, manage possible complications, and participate in the adequate interpretation of follow-up imaging.
4. Teach residents: Teach residents theoretical and interventional concepts in abdominal and pelvic imaging and supervise them under ultrasound and CT guidance.

Academic Objectives

The academic objectives of the program are to:

• Implication in at least one research project
• Alternatively, the student could also carry out a project to evaluate the quality of the medical act or a project with an educational aim
• These projects should ideally lead to scientific or educational presentations at local, regional, national, or international conferences
• The fellow must also be involved in teaching, including externs, residents, and consulting clinicians, as well as in Journal Clubs and multidisciplinary meetings (Tumor Boards)

Practical Modalities

The program includes:

• Daily rotation through different clinical posts: emergency consultations, reading external CT and MRI, ultrasound/Doppler, fluoroscopy, and non-vascular intervention
• Five days of clinical work, then four days of clinical work and one day/half-day of academic work once research projects are defined and started
• Participation in on-call duties: frequency of seven days per period
• Four weeks of vacation per year
• Nine radiologists as faculty resources

Faculty and Resources

The program is directed by Kim Nhien Vu, MD, MSc, FRCPC, and includes a team of nine radiologists with subspecialty expertise in abdominal and pelvic imaging. The program is based at the Centre hospitalier de lUniversité de Montréal (CHUM), which is a reference center for several medical specialties and has a wide range of equipment, including CT scanners, MRI machines, ultrasound machines, and a fluoroscopy room.