Radiology

Transjugular Intraheaptic Portosystemic Shunt (TIPS) creation: preoperative imaging and predictors of outcomes

Faculty Mentor’s Name: Dr. Robert Heithaus
Email: robert.heithaus@radiology.ufl.edu
Phone Number: (601) 466-1235
Project Category: Clinical
International Component or Travel: No

Research Project Description:
Currently the standard evaluation tool for patients undergoing TIPS procedures is the validated MELD score (model for end stage liver disease). We will be exploring TIPS (transhepatic intrahepatic portosystemic shunt creation) and imaging predictors of procedural outcomes. Specifically liver volumes, liver enhancement patterns, and spleen volumes will be evaluated for their roles in procedural outcomes. TIPS are placed for patients with portal hypertension resulting in ascites or varices. Currently UF IR places more TIPS per year than any other institution in the nation. We will be performing a respective chart review over the course of several weeks. IRB submission is in progress as of December 2020. The results will be presented in poster or oral format, and it is anticipated that abstracts related to this project will be submitted to national interventional radiology meetings. The student(s) who participate will be involved in data collection (measuring liver and spleen volumes and MRI enhancement patters as well as collecting preoperative and postoperative laboratory data). This project will involve both Interventional Radiology as well as MRI Radiology sections in the Department of Radiology.

Kidney Biopsies: Does Needle Gauge Influence Tissue Adequacy

Faculty Mentor’s Name: Dr. Robert Heithaus
Email: robert.heithaus@radiology.ufl.edu
Phone Number: (601) 466-1235
Project Category: Clinical
International Component or Travel: No

Research Project Description:
Kidney biopsies (both native kidney and transplant kidney biopsies) are required for diagnosis of disease and monitoring of therapy. Adequate sample size is important to obtain accurate diagnosis. Various biopsy needle types and sizes are available, and there is no consensus of what size or type of needle should be used. We are actively collecting data for a PQI project evaluating our sample adequacy for kidney biopsies as it relates to biopsy device used. This project will be submitted to IRB, and the medical student involved in the project will aid in data collection, analysis, and assembly/ writeup. The data should be presented as a poster at UF research day or at a national IR meeting.

No Title

Faculty Mentor’s Name: Dr. Priya Sharma
Email: sharpg@radiology.ufl.edu
Phone Number: (352) 265-0291
Project Category: Clinical
International Component or Travel: No

Research Project Description:
I am interested in working on developing a project with a student. Alternatively, I have an IRB approved project regarding pediatric clinician awareness of radiation in fluoroscopy that I need to finally analyze and write up that a student could help me with.

Willing to Work With Student to Develop a Project Around the Student’s Interest

Faculty Mentor’s Name: Dr. Julie Bradley
Email: jbradley@floridaproton.org
Phone Number: (904) 588-1441
Project Category: Clinical
International Component or Travel: No

Research Project Description:
Willing to work with student to develop a project around the student’s interest in breast cancer or pediatric cancers.