The Department of Radiology at the University of Colorado School of Medicine offers a one-year fellowship in Breast Imaging. The Breast Imaging fellowship provides extensive training in all state-of-the-art breast imaging procedures. This includes 2D and 3D (tomosynthesis) digital mammography, diagnostic and whole breast screening (ABUS) ultrasound, and breast MRI diagnostic/screening examinations. Interventional procedures include the gamut of mammographic/stereotactic/tomosynthesis-, sonographic- and MR-guided biopsies and localization procedures. Typical 14-gauge core and vacuum-assisted biopsies with various gauge options are performed. Currently, localizations are primarily performed using Savi Scout reflector placements and some wire localizations. Localization and biopsy devices are continuing to evolve and are implemented in our department accordingly. Ductography is also an available procedure, although not frequently requested at this institution.
The Breast Imaging section includes 6 dedicated breast imaging radiologists who cover four breast centers in the Denver Metro region, which are in the Anschutz Medical Center, Lone Tree Medical Center, Highlands Ranch Hospital and Cherry Creek Medical Center. Fellows are primarily based at the main campus where our section is imbedded within the Breast Center of the University of Colorado Hospital. Due to this juxtaposition, we are regularly engaged in consultations with our surgical/oncological/APP providers, and frequently add-on examinations/procedures then ensue. We also accept urgent requests for evaluation and management of abscesses and postoperative complications from the ED, plastic surgery, etc. Aspiration and drain placements are a regular request from our ED and surgical colleagues.
In addition to helping us run our busy clinical practice, our breast imaging fellows prepare for and present imaging findings at our multiple weekly tumor board and multidisciplinary conferences. Fellows also interact with and can help instruct our diagnostic radiology residents rotating through our section. Opportunities to become in research projects are also available depending on personal interest.
Since the Breast Center at the University of Colorado SOM provides services for a large cachement area encompassing Colorado, Wyoming, Nebraska, Kansas, etc., we see patients who come from more rural and less sophisticated medical practices that frequently require additional evaluations and have more advanced disease. Our more local patient population in Denver and Aurora is also quite diverse, including refugees from many countries, undocumented people and many others with whom we must communicate through translators, etc.
Ultimately, our fellows complete their training with a broad experience in all aspects of breast imaging and procedures and are well prepared to become lead interpreting physicians wherever they choose to go from here.
