Disease-Focused Trials
The abdominal Imaging and Intervention Section at BWH is currently running disease-focused trails involving disorders of the gastrointestinal and genitourinary systems. Several projects with the MR and CT diagnosis of GI and GU cancers, including prostate, liver (both primary and metastatic), pancreas, kidney, colon, ovary, and cervix. The Section is also actively in the Department's Image-Guided Therapy Program, using MRI and CT to guide RF ablation, cryoablation, and high intensity focused ultrasound ablation of tumors throughout the body. In conjunction with radiation oncology, MRI is used to guide brachytherapy of prostate cancers. Other diseases currently under active investigation include noncancerous renal lesions, urolithiasis, pancreatitis, and vascular thromboses.
Technology / Technique Focused Studies
The Abdominal Section uses a variety of imaging techniques in both diagnosis and therapy. Technology currently under investigation and development include MRI, multidetector CT, dual-energy CT, CT fluoroscopy, three-dimensional reconstructions, interventional MRI, general intervention, and contrast agents. Current techniques under investigation include CT Urography, CT Colonography, low dose CT, MRCP, MR defecography, and percutaneous tumor ablation. Studies also include technology assessments, computer-aided diagnosis, and test utilization.
