FUNCTIONAL IMAGING

Functional Imaging and monitoring is of paramount importance for the diagnosis, treatment and follow-up of the diseased child as well as teenagers and adults. The goal of the theme is the development and clinical evaluation of innovative, non-invasive functional imaging and monitoring techniques like 2D and 3D Echography, Ultrasound Tissue Doppler and Strain Imaging, Ultrasound Contrast Dilution, MRI tagging, MR spectroscopy , Near Infrared Spectroscopy (NIRS) and radioisotope imaging (PET and SPECT) for timely detection of tissue damage in early life as well as in adults and the aging population.

The research is driven by the strong interaction between clinical physicists and biomedical engineers (Clinical Physics Laboratory) and clinical researchers (Pediatric Cardiology, Neonatology, Nuclear Medicine and others). The theme spans diagnostic and follow-up studies from prenatal (diagnosis of congenital malformations and its risk factors) via neonatal life (cardiac output, cerebral ultrasound and MR spectroscopy, and NIRS) and diagnosis with consequent follow up of young children (2D & 3D cardiac echography and Strain Imaging, cardiac MRI tagging, ultrasound strain imaging in patients with schisis, and cerebral MRI related to the neurodevelopment of high risk children) to teenagers and adults (quantitative echography of the liver, 2D & 3D cardiac echography and strain imaging, vascular elastography of vulnerable plaques, as well as PET and SPECT imaging of beta-cell mass in diabetic patients).

Theme leader: Dr. Chris L. de Korte M.Sc

Coordinators: Dr. Livia Kapusta,  Dr. K. Djien Liem and Prof. Dr. Martin Gotthardt

Staffmembers and Postdoctoral fellows: drs. A.P.M. Backx; drs. V. Christmann,  Dr A.F.J. van Heijst, dr. T. Idzenga M.Sc, drs. K.A. Marcus, drs. R. Matthijsse, dr, A.G. Reimer, dr. M. Schokking, drs. K. Steiner; dr. P.C. Struijk, dr. R.B. Tanke, drs. S. Vrancken, dr. M. van der Graaf M.Sc, Dr. P. Laverman, Dr. K. Andralojc, Dr. T. Theelen, Dr. W. de Boode, Dr. M.M. Nillesen.

PhD students: drs. T. Antonius, drs. L.C. Gerrits, H.H.G. Hansen M.Sc, drs. A.M.C. Mavinkurve-Groothuis, drs. A.C. de Mol, Drs. M. Blom, drs. Michel Teussink

Technician: L. Joosten