Radiology in Minnesota

Thoracic Radiology

The Division of Thoracic Radiology, comprising seven radiologists, is the primary group responsible for the interpretation of thoracic images at Mayo Clinic in Rochester. Outpatient chest images are digitally acquired and then transmitted to a central location for interpretation. Most CT examinations of the chest at Mayo are interpreted by members of the Thoracic Radiology section; they are available for consultation on all other chest CTs. Annually, about 200,000 chest radiographs and more than 25,000 chest CTs are performed at Mayo Clinic in Minnesota.

The CT practice covers all areas of chest disease including:

• Interstitial lung disease
• Lung cancer diagnosis and follow-up
• Work-up of indeterminate pulmonary nodules including enhanced CT and PET
• Mediastinal and vascular pathology (including pulmonary embolism)
• Other pulmonary and airway diseases

Interventional chest procedures, utilizing CT or ultrasound guidance, are also available and include biopsy, drainage and radiofrequency ablation procedures.

In addition to their clinical work, members of the Division of Thoracic Radiology are actively involved in education and research. Division members attend the weekly multidisciplinary Chest Conference and the monthly Chest Tumor Board to provide radiologic consultation. One of the members was voted "Teacher of the Year" for 2002.