Immersion Week 4: Project Time

Summary: This week was highlighted by cancellations, infections, and vactions. Though, I was able to lock down a research project.

Started the week waiting in the OR lounge waiting for a patient to be prepped when I got the bad news that the patient was suffering from an infection from a previous procedure and that the reconstruction would have to be rescheduled. This same situation happened twice this week and then all three surgeons I was shadowing or scheduled with all three took vacation days to enjoy the long holiday. As a result I wasn’t able to see any procedures this week. Though, I was able to see new patients with Dr. Vahdat and see another case meeting with the other oncologists in the building. Then Dr. Vahdat took off for her vacation to Norway.

However, I was able to lock down a project with Dr. Chiang. Dr. Chiang is a radiologist who is interested in studying the progression of brain tumors a stable stage two to a more critical stage three. The question:  What baseline pre-treatment imaging characteristics predict tumor growth rate (FLAIR and postcontrast volumes) and time to anaplastic conversion? Data that we have at our disposal to answer this question:

- baseline ADC (histogram) – all patients

- baseline T2 tumor volume or enhancement volume – all patients 

- QSM values in tumor volume – all patients

- morphology - involvement of subventricular zone, bilateral hemisphere involvement, multifocality – all patients

- baseline CBV/Ktrans/AUC/other parameters on DCE perfusion (histogram) – subset of ~40 patients

* adjust for 1p19q, IDH, TERT? mutational status

* adjust for gross-total resection

Now It’s just a waiting game till I can be added to the current IRB to access patient data.