Imaging

Overview

Imaging research at London Health Sciences Centre Research Institute (LHSCRI) focuses on advancing medical imaging technologies to improve diagnostic and therapeutic practices. Our team works closely with scientists at Lawson Research Institute (Lawson) at St. Joseph’s Health Care London and Robarts Research Institute at Western University to maintain London, Ontario’s reputation as a global leader in imaging research.  

Our goal is to develop non-invasive capabilities and diagnostic imaging so we can better understand the mechanisms of human biology and enhance diagnosis, prevention and treatment of disease. 

Research Groups

Our imaging research groups include:

Our research team is engaged in a diverse range of research projects, including: 

  1. Prostate specific membrane antigen (PSMA) positron emission tomography (PET)-computed tomography (CT) imaging: Advancing prostate cancer diagnosis with PSMA PET-CT imaging techniques. 
  2. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)/ultrasound (US) fusion for prostate biopsy and therapy: Enhancing the accuracy of prostate biopsies and treatments through the integration of MRI and ultrasound technologies. 
  3. CT-perfusion as a treatment biomarker: Using CT-perfusion to evaluate treatment responses in rectal and pancreatic cancers. 
  4. MR elastography and primovist (is a contrast agent used during a magnetic resonance imaging) for liver diseases: Investigating liver conditions such as non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) and hepatic fibrosis with MR elastography and primovist imaging. 
  5. Abbreviated MRI protocols: Streamlining MRI procedures for both routine and oncologic abdominal imaging. 
  6. Diffusion-weighted MRI of the placenta: Studying placental health using diffusion-weighted MRI techniques. 
  7. Inflammatory bowel disease imaging: Developing imaging methods to better understand and manage inflammatory bowel diseases. 
  8. Contrast-enhanced ultrasound: Utilizing contrast agents to enhance ultrasound imaging capabilities. 
  9. Artificial intelligence (AI) in pancreatic cancer monitoring: Applying AI to improve the monitoring and evaluation of pancreatic carcinoma treatment. 
  10. CT perfusion in oncology: Leveraging CT perfusion imaging for improved cancer diagnosis and monitoring. 
  11. Machine learning in abdominal imaging: Creating and applying machine learning algorithms to advance abdominal imaging technologies. 

The Division of Interventional Radiology is engaged in a wide range of research, spanning both laboratory-based science and clinical trials to advance the treatment of various diseases. Our research efforts include: 

Laboratory-based science: 

  • 3D ultrasound guidance: Improving liver and kidney cancer ablation procedures with 3D ultrasound technology. 
  • Augmented reality: Utilizing augmented reality with pre-procedure fusion imaging to enhance procedural accuracy. 
  • Artificial intelligence (AI) for needle guidance: Developing deep learning algorithms and artificial intelligence to assist with needle guidance. 

Clinical research: 

  • Point-of-care percutaneous ultrasound gastrostomy (PUG): Investigating the use of point-of-care ultrasound for gastrostomy procedures. 
  • Safety and efficacy of gastrostomy and gastrojejunostomy: Evaluating the safety and effectiveness of percutaneous gastrostomy and gastrojejunostomy insertions. 
  • Optimizing liver treatments: Enhancing transarterial liver locoregional treatments for patients with metastatic neuroendocrine tumours (NET). 
  • Abdominal aortic aneurysm reporting: Improving radiology reporting for small abdominal aortic aneurysms to optimize primary care. 
  • Pain management in uterine artery embolization: Assessing optimal interventions for pain management during uterine artery embolization for uterine fibroid disease. 

The Division of Cardiothoracic Imaging includes imaging modalities like radiography, CT, MRI, fluoroscopy and correlation with molecular imaging. Clinical and academic interests include interstitial lung disease, pulmonary hypertension, oncology, and trauma. Cardiac imaging interests include preoperative imaging for minimally invasive cardiac surgery and complex aortic reconstruction, infiltrative diseases/cardiomyopathy, adult congenital heart disease, and myocardial perfusion imaging.

In collaboration between Lawson, LHSCRI and Western, the breast division includes a broad range of research projects, international trials, and collaborations.

Key research initiatives include: 

  1. Tomosynthesis Mammographic Imaging Screening Trial (TMIST trial): An international NCI trial comparing digital breast tomosynthesis to digital mammography for screening. With over 1,000 women recruited, this study also collects blood, buccal swabs, and tissue samples for future breast cancer biomarker research. 
  1. Contrast-enhanced mammographic guided biopsy: As a leading centre in North America, we are at the forefront of evaluating the novel technology of contrast-enhanced mammographic guided biopsy, using advanced contrast-enhanced mammography techniques. 
  1. Innovative collaborations: We are closely working with Western University to develop groundbreaking research techniques, including AI technology, 3D ultrasound, photoacoustic ultrasound and advanced breast MRI. 
  1. Contrast–enhanced Mammography Imaging Screening Trial (CMIST trial): The American College of Radiology’s international CMIST trial will compare contrast-enhanced mammography to tomosynthesis for screening, aiming to refine and enhance breast cancer detection methods. 
  1. London Tumour Biobank: In collaboration with Dr. Muriel Brackstone, this biorepository collects tumour tissue, blood, and urine samples from breast and prostate biopsy patients. It provides researchers with valuable samples and comprehensive clinical data to advance cancer research across London. 

Our research efforts are dedicated to advancing breast cancer diagnosis and treatment through innovative technologies and collaborative studies. 

Our team conducts a number of studies focused on improving imaging for paediatric patients: 

  • High-frequency ultrasound: Using ultra-high frequency ultrasound to check how well steroid injections are working in children with juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA). 
  • NeOx monitor: Developing a new tool (fNIRS) to monitor and analyze brain activity in newborns, with a focus on improving data collection and interpretation. 
  • Paediatric stroke imaging: Studying brain injuries and recovery in children who have had a stroke to understand the best treatments. 
  • Neurodevelopmental disorders imaging network: Creating a network in Ontario to study brain imaging in children with developmental disorders. 
  • PET/MRI for seizures: Using a new PET/MRI imaging technique to better understand and characterize seizures in children with epilepsy that is hard to treat. 
  • Optic gliomas in neurofibromatosis type 1: Tracking the development and progression over time of optic nerve tumours in children with neurofibromatosis type 1. 
  • Preterm delivery and brain health: Researching the best timing for preterm deliveries to improve brain health and developmental outcomes in newborns. 
  • Epilepsy brain connectivity: Examining changes in brain connectivity using advanced MRI techniques in children with focal epilepsy to understand how the condition affects the brain over time.

We are currently conducting musculoskeletal imaging research in a number of areas, including:  

  • Knee osteoarthritis: Studying how changes in knee pressure affect swelling and inflammation in the knee using a special surgery model. 
  • Hip osteoarthritis treatment: Comparing the benefits and costs of two treatments – total hip replacement and hip arthroscopy – in people aged 40-60. 
  • Implant fixation: Looking at how body weight affects how well cementless knee implants stay in place. 
  • Meniscal root repair: Checking how well the knee heals two years after surgery to fix the meniscus, with or without an additional procedure. 
  • Joint stiffness: Using PET/MRI scans to measure stiffness in knee joints after surgery. 
  • Syndesmophytes in the thoracic spine: Investigating if small bone growths in the middle of the spine are more common than understood.  
  • Cartilage morphology: Examining the shape of knee cartilage two years after knee ligament surgery using MRI. 
  • Vertebral endplate defects: Finding and describing defects in the spine’s endplates using medical imaging and micro-CT. 
  • Parallel line sign: Discovering a new MRI finding related to chronic inflammation in the lower back, including how common it is and what it means. 
  • Thoracic outlet syndrome treatment: Reviewing how well ultrasound-guided botulinum injections work for people with a specific type of nerve problem in the upper chest and arms. 

Researchers at LHSCRI, Lawson and Western are leading the way in nuclear medicine. Current research in nuclear medicine includes: 

  • Cardiac imaging: Combining functional imaging with single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) and anatomical imaging with coronary CT angiography. 
  • Cancer diagnosis and therapy: Using MIBG/LutetiumTM for neuroendocrine tumours, I-131 for thyroid cancer, and Yttrium-90 for liver cancer. 
  • Brain imaging: Enhancing techniques for seizure localization and dementia evaluation. 

The division’s research infrastructure features SPECT/CT, PET/CT, PET/MRI, and coronary CT angiography, with strong connections to collaborating physicians, scientists, and research institutes.