Radiology

Watson Clinic’s radiology department features a 90% digital inventory of advanced imaging systems, including: three (3) high-field MRI magnets, including an open-bore model; three (3) multi-slice CT units, including a 64-slice unit; Computer Aided Detection (CAD) system for detection of calcium deposits in breasts; four (4) digital mammography units; eight (8) ultrasound units; 16-slice PET/CT; Gamma Camera for breast imaging; coronary CT angiography; breast MRI; full nuclear medicine department with molecular imaging capabilities.

 

Administrative meetings and educational conferences are held in an on-site radiologic conference room. 

 

 

   Varicose Vein Treatment

 

 

Mammography - Now Offering Digital Mammography

Thelma Chisholm, MD

Bruce Miller, DO

Christine Skerbetz, MD

All above radiology staff members are Fellowship trained in mammography, and are MQSA certified.

 

Imaging:

Screening mammography, diagnostic mammography, ultrasonography, magnetic resonance

 

Needle localization, breast biopsy ultrasound guided and stereotactic, cyst aspiration.

 

The mammography department is located at the Watson Clinic Women's Center - Suite A (1400 Lakeland Hills Blvd.). Digital mammography is offered at the Women's Center and Watson Clinic's South campus. Screening mammography is also available on our mobile unit. Diagnostic mammography is performed at the Women's Center - Suite A, as well as stereotactic biopsy, U/S guided biopsy and needle localizations.

 

All screening mammography is performed with the aid of computer aided detection (CAD), which significantly improves the sensitivity for the detection of cancer.

 

Magnetic resonance imaging of the breast is done in select cases with high field 1.5T imaging system. Biopsy under MR guidance may also be utilized.

 

 

 

Contact person: Candida Jenkins, RT.R.M. (Supervisor of Mammography)
Phone: 863-680-7774

Scheduling: 863-680-7755, opition 3

 

 

Body Imaging/Cardiac Imaging

Howard Gorell, MD (Section Chief)

Ron Stillerman, DO (Director of MR)

Ali Shariati, MD (Director of Musculoskeletal Imaging)

Daniel Lee, MD

David A. Lowry, MD

Joseph McDowell, MD

Mehdi Poustchi-Amin, MD

Dario Topolcic, MD

 

The above radiologists are Fellowship trained in either Body Imaging, Musculoskeletal imaging or Magnetic Resonance.

 

Body CT is performed with two multislice scanners. MRI is performed with state-of-the-art high field 1.5T magnets, capable of parallel imaging, and multichannel acquisitions. Complete abdominal, pelvic and basic cardiac imaging are also offered. Both modalities are supplemented by state-of-the-art two workstations, which are capable of performing 3D volume rendition, MIP imaging, and virtual colonoscopy.

 

For cardiac imaging, coronary CTA is offered along with ejection fraction calculation.

 

Ultrasonography of the abdomen, pelvis and small parts is offered, including harmonic imaging, and sono CT.

 

Gastrointestinal barium studies are done at WC and at LRMC.

 

Contact person: Liz Aubrey, RT(R)(MR)(CT) (Supervisor of MR and CT).

Phone: 863-680-7726

Scheduling: 863-680-7510 or 863-680-7730

 

 

Musculoskeletal

Ali Shariati, MD (Director of Musculoskeletal imaging).

 

The above radiologist is Fellowship trained in musculoskeltal imaging with extensive training in tumor and sports injuries.

 

MR of musculoskeletal is performed on state-of-the-art MR units.

 

Arthrograms of wrists, shoulders, knees, and hips. CT arthrograms in patients with contraindication to MR. Facet injections and epidural injections for pain. Therapeutic joint injections.

 

Contact person: Liz Aubrey, RT(R)(MR)(CT) (Supervisor of MR and CT).

Phone: 863-680-7726

Scheduling: 863-680-7510 or 863-680-7730

 

 

Nuclear Medicine/PET

Jerome G. Scavone, MD

 

The above radiologists are Fellowship trained in Nuclear Medicine.

 

The Nuclear Medicine department is located at Watson Clinic Main.

 

• Two Sophy (GE). Dual head, SPECT systems camera.
• Millenium MG (GE). Dual head, SPECT systems camera.
• One SPECT/CT camera (GE Infinia w/Hawkeye).
• Fully computerized work stations.
• PET/CT system.

Imaging studies: Bone scan, Brain scan, Gastric emptying scans, Gallium scans, Hepatobiliary scans, I-131 Therapy and scans, Liver - spleen scans, Lymphoscintigraphy scans, Lung scans (V/Q scans) and quantitative evaluations, Octreoscans, Peritoneal scans, Prostoscint scans, Parathyroid scans, Quadramet therapy, Renal scans, Thyroid scans, Testicular scans, Voiding cystourethrogram (VCUG) scans, Cardiac imaging.

 

Contact person: Beth Kelp, RT (Supervisor of Nuclear Medicine).

Phone: 863-680-7761

Scheduling: 863-680-7474

 

 

Neuroradiology/Head and Neck

Evan Chambers, MD

Alexander H. Le, MD

Ron Stillerman, DO

Chat Virapongse, MD

 

MR and CT of the brain and spine. Diffusion and perfusion MR. Perfusion CT. MR Spectroscopy.

 

MR and CT of head and neck. CT neck is routinely performed with multiprojectional MPR images.

 

Contact person: Liz Aubrey, RT(R)(MR)(CT)(Supervisor of MR/CT).

Phone: 863-680-7726

Scheduling: 863-680-7510 or 863-680-7730

 

 

Interventional/Vascular Imaging

John Bradshaw, MD (Section Chief)

Evan Chambers, MD

Carol Ebersole, MD

Jerome G. Scavone, MD

 

The above radiologists are Fellowship trained in interventional radiology or Neuroradiology.

 

Endovascular work both diagnostic and interventional is offered at LRMC, while only diagnostic vascular work is offered at WC in the Heart and Vascular Lab.

 

Consults for vertebroplasty and kyphoplasty are done predominantly at the Clinic, while the procedure is performed only at LRMC.

 

Venous ablation therapy is performed at WC.

 

Thyroid biopsy is offered at WC, while other biopsies such as lung and abdomen are performed at LRMC.

 

Uterine embolization is offered.

 

Drainage procedures are performed at LRMC.

 

Lumbar punctures can be performed as either outpatient at WC or LRMC.

 

Vascular imaging is performed predominantly by interventional radiology and includes Peripheral arterial testing, Vascular sonography, MRA, and CTA of head, neck, abdomen and extremities.

 

Endovascular therapy includes: carotid stent, cerebral thrombolysis, endovascular repair for abdominal aortic aneurysm, renal artery stenting, peripheral vascular PTA and stenting, TIPSS, venous access, revascularization dialysis access graft, venous and arterial thrombolysis.

 

Contact person: Helen Travers, Administrative Secretary.

Phone: 863-680-7777

Scheduling: 863-680-7003

 

 

Interventional Peripheral Vascular Disease

There are an estimated 9 million persons in the United States with peripheral vascular disease. Symptoms include lower extremity claudication, HTN, and stroke. Left untreated the disease carries a grim prognosis with approximately 50% dying within five years. Most die of cardio vascular disease - heart and stroke.

 

Interventional radiologists working in conjunction with the physicians of the Vascular Center at the Watson Clinic treat the symptoms of PVD. A full range of interventional therapy is offered with: angiography, angioplasty, stents, laser, and lytic therapy. Endovascular repair of AAA (a minimally invasive approach) is also offered in selected candidates.

 

Our department is working in conjunction with the cardiologists and the Center for Research on multiple investigational trials, including carotid stenting and a new NIH trial evaluation treatment for HTN. We have an ongoing effort in conjunction with the Neurology Department to intervene in and hopefully improve stroke outcome.

 

Contact person: Helen Travers, Administrative Secretary.

Phone: 863-680-7777

Scheduling: 863-680-7003

 

 

 

Mammography Thelma L. Chisholm, MD Bruce H. Miller, DO Christine E. Skerbetz, MD Body Imaging/Cardiac Imaging Howard A. Gorell, MD Daniel Lee, MD David A. Lowry, MD Joseph M. McDowell, MD Mehdi Poustchi-Amin, MD Ali Shariati, MD Ronald A. Stillerman, DO Dario M. Topolcic, MD   Musculoskeletal Ali Shariati, MD   Nuclear Medicine/PET Jerome G. Scavone, MD

Neuroradiology/Head and Neck Evan F. Chambers, MD Alexander H. Le, MD Ronald A. Stillerman, DO Chat Virapongse, MD Interventional/Vascular Imaging John R. Bradshaw, MD Evan F. Chambers, MD Carol Ebersole, MD Jerome G. Scavone, MD   Providers Elizabeth Brown, ARNP-C Chris Bell, RPA Karen Black, RPA Marc Emerson, PA-C William Jones, RPA, RA Dave Lenezyk, RPA