Virtual Colonography

UPCOMING COURSES

May 13 - 15, 2024
Register Here

PREVIOUS COURSES

June 5-7, 2023 (Viatronix)
November 20-22, 2023 (Vitrea)

COURSE OVERVIEW

This in-person three-day course will enable attendees to acquire appropriate interpretation skills as well as a comprehensive and overall appreciation of the current issues facing virtual colonography, also referred to as virtual colonoscopy (VC).

The course emphasis is on image interpretation with completion of at least 50 path-proven examinations by the third day. The program combines didactic presentations with significant hands-on experience in small group settings. You will learn to utilize specific 3D tools and recognize pitfalls that will result in a reduction of both reading times and false positives. Other topics include effective patient preparation, colonic distension, extra colonic CT findings and issues relating to setting up a screening program. Frequent question-and-answer sessions and one-on-one supervision will allow for immediate feedback. By the conclusion of this course, learners will know the essential components needed to run a successful VC screening program. This course also offers the experience of viewing live cases.

See course dates for software to be used for training.

Target Audience
Radiologists, gastroenterologists, and CT technologists interested in conducting colorectal cancer screening with high-quality VC.

Course Objectives

  • Be able to implement the various components of a complete VC examination to acquire high quality examinations
  • Effectively detect polyps
  • Be aware of common pitfalls and problems associated with VC interpretation
  • Have successfully completed the required number of cases as required for proficiency by the Canadian Association of Radiologists (CAR)
  • Be aware of the role of CT colonography in colorectal screening

Topics to be covered

  • Rationale for colorectal screening
  • Introduction to CT colonography
  • How to perform a CT colonography
  • Patient preparation
  • Prep-less techniques
  • VC interpretation
  • Image interpretation and pitfalls
  • Extra colonic findings
  • Standardized reporting system
  • Flat lesions and their significance
  • Computer aided detection and advanced techniques
  • Review of clinical trials and current status of CT colonography
  • Live virtual colonography demonstration
  • Introduction to V3D workstation and buttonology
  • Hands-on training and case review (over 50 cases)
  • Other issues related to CTC screening
  • Building and maintaining a program in Canada

Note: Cases will include normal, normal variants, polyps stratified by size and morphology, cancers, and syndromes associated with colorectal disease as well as typical pitfalls and artefacts encountered when reading CTC.


ACCREDITATION, CERTIFICATION, AND REGISTRATION

Accreditation and Certification

Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada – Section 1:

This event is an Accredited Group Learning Activity (Section 1) as defined by the Maintenance of Certification Program of the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada, approved by Continuing Professional Development, Temerty Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, up to a maximum of 3.5 hours for Section 1 credits (for 3 days).

Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada – Section 3 (Simulation):

This activity is an Accredited Simulation Activity (Section 3) as defined by the Maintenance of Certification Program of the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada, and approved by Continuing Professional Development, Temerty Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto on 02/09/14. Remember to visit MAINPORT to record your learning and outcomes. You may claim a maximum of 19.0 hours for Section 3 credits (credits are automatically calculated).

The American Medical Association - AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™:

Through an agreement between the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada and the American Medical Association, physicians may convert Royal College MOC credits to 22.5 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™. Information on the process to convert Royal College MOC credit to AMA credit can be found at  http://www.ama-assn.org/ama/pub/education-careers/continuing-medical-education/physicians-recognition-award-credit-system/other-ways-earn-ama-pra-category.page

European Union for Medical Specialists UEMS-EACCME®: 22.5 credits

Registration

The fee for this course is $2,500 and includes course material and daily continental breakfast. Discounted rates are available for CAR, OAR and U of T faculty, fellows and residents.

Cancellation Policy
A $100 administrative fee will be retained if you cancel your registration for any reason. To receive a refund of the remainder of the balance, please provide written notice two weeks before the start of the course; thereafter, no refunds will be made. The University of Toronto reserves the right to cancel events. Registrants will be notified at the earliest possible date in the event of a cancellation. Tuition fees for events cancelled by the University will be refunded; however the University will not be liable for any loss, damages or other expenses that such cancellations may cause.

ACCOMMODATIONS

For accommodations, please visit the Toronto Tourism website. Many hotels will honour a discounted U of T rate, if available, so please mention when booking.

Doubletree by Hilton Hotel, 108 Chestnut Street, is close to Toronto General Hospital. To reserve at the Doubletree by Hilton Hotel,  (remember to ask for the U of T rate):

Website: www.torontodoubletree.com 
Phone:  416-977-5000
Toll-free:  1-800-668-6600
E-mail:  reservations@torontodoubletree.com 

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FACULTY

Dr. Tanya Chawla, MRCP, FRCR, FRCPC
Assistant Professor, University of Toronto Department of Medical Imaging
Staff Radiologist and Head of CT Colonography, Division of Abdominal Imaging
Joint Department of Medical Imaging
E-mail: tchawla@mtsinai.on.ca

Dr. C.S. Ho, MBBS, FRCPC
Professor, University of Toronto Department of Medical Imaging
Staff Radiologist, Division of Vascular and Interventional Radiology
Joint Department of Medical Imaging
E-mail: chia.ho@uhn.ca

Dr. Patrik Rogalla, MD
Professor, University of Toronto Department of Medical Imaging
Staff Radiologist, Division of Abdominal and Cardiothoracic Imaging
Joint Department of Medical Imaging
E-mail: patrik.rogalla@uhn.ca

AIEC ADDRESS

University of Toronto Advanced Imaging and Education Centre
Toronto General Hospital
Peter Munk Building (PMB), Room 1 PMB 166
585 University Avenue
Toronto, ON  M5G 2N2  Canada

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FOR MORE INFORMATION

Please contact aiec@uhn.ca