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Costello brings depth, experience to Radiology  by Cindy Abole Public Relations The ability to peer inside the human body to see detailed anatomy using computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance  imaging (MRI) techniques has revolutionized medicine affecting how practitioners diagnose and treat patients.  Department of Radiology chairman Philip Costello, M.D., built a distinguished career that has placed him at the forefront of radiology’s expansion, especially in the area of advanced imaging. His interest and expertise in CT, computer-aided diagnosis and metabolic imaging is a great match for MUSC.  Radiology chair Dr. Philip Costello, left, and Dr. Joseph Schoepf in front of the new 64-slice CT scanner located in the Heart & Vascular Center. Costello, who assumed the radiology chairman’s position in June,  hopes his presence will provide the leadership needed to cultivate radiology specialty programs, nurture clinical services, and heighten basic research on MUSC’s growing campus. “I saw MUSC as an institution that had arrived at a point where it was ready to expand and grow with its imaging services related to patient care and research,” Costello said. “These opportunities and potential were part of the big picture that attracted me and ultimately brought me here.” “It was very clear that Dr. Costello was the right person for the job,” said Jerry Reves, M.D., dean, College of Medicine, and vice president for medical affairs. “It’s always a challenge to find good leadership. What’s key is looking for leaders among the best qualified people. Dr. Costello’s experience, ability, expertise in thoracic imaging, and reputation as a world-respected leader and collaborator have contributed greatly to advances in the radiology field.” A CT pioneer A devoted clinician, academic and administrator, Costello is considered one of his speciality’s pioneers in research and development of CT, specifically in cardiopulmonary imaging. A clinical research authority on CT-guided procedures, Costello has also been recognized in the clinical application of spiral CT imaging, a faster, more advanced X-ray procedure that takes detailed cross-section pictures of the body. “More than a decade ago, it would take a CT technologist about 10 minutes to scan a patient,” Costello said. “Today that procedure takes only 10 seconds, thanks to advances in CT technology and display techniques. That’s a huge transition from what was a slow process to a rapid scan with detailed 3-dimensional displays of human anatomy.” As medical costs rise, there is a greater emphasis on rapid, accurate diagnosis and treatment of patients, according to Costello. Decades ago, industry leaders began to recognize radiology’s future, especially with expanded clinical applications in cardiopulmonary disease and oncology. Finding his place Early in his career, Costello believed that CT and MRI imaging would play a major role in shaping medicine’s future. Today, he is content to find his place within radiology—a place that is driven by  technology with a strong emphasis on improving patient care. In his new role, Costello has already consulted with the hospital’s clinical leaders, like Heart & Vascular Center director Michael Gold, M.D., Ph.D., on cardiovascular imaging; Hollings Cancer Center’s Andrew Kraft, M.D., on oncological imaging; and Digestive Disease Center director Peter Cotton, M.D., on gastrointestinal imaging. “We’re excited to have him here,” Gold said. “He is a great addition to the clinical enterprise, not only for his expertise but also to help develop new, cutting-edge therapies. He brings great expertise in the area of CT imaging, which will in turn enhance the care we provide for our patients.” Heading Costello’s list of priorities is preparing and developing a program for non-invasive cardiac imaging using advanced CT and MR techniques.  He spearheaded MUSC’s recent acquirement of a state-of-the-art Seimens Somatom Sensation 64-Slice CT system, the first of five U.S. sites to receive this level of sophisticated technology. Scheduled to be unveiled in October at its home at the Hear t & Vascular Center, the Somatom system is a breakthrough in cardiac CT imaging. It will allow for detailed imaging of the heart and coronary arteries with a simple intravenous injection. Cardiac CT’s role in patient care will be evaluated in collaboration with the Heart & Vascular Center’s group. Besides cardiac imaging, the system can also  provide detailed thoracic and vascular imaging. “Helping to manage a university-based sub-specialty group offers many opportun-ities that can  ultimately translate to better service and care for patients,” Costello said. “By providing clinical specialists with detailed anatomical and functional information of disease processes, patient care can be greatly enhanced.” A native of England, Costello came to South Carolina from Boston as former radiology chief in the Division of Thoracic Radiology at Brigham and Women’s Hospital. He was professor of radiology at Harvard Medical School, where he established a multidisciplinary research program in cardiopulmonary disease.  A hallmark to Costello’s research work came in 1990 when he established  multi-center spiral CT imaging studies at Boston’s New England Deaconess Hospital. A unique, investigative CT study will begin in October when Costello will undertake a project on behalf of the Department of Defense. General Electric has manufactured a high-resolution, flat panel detector CT product that can generate detailed images of lung cancer. This is the only flat panel system available for clinical evaluation in the United States, and Costello predicts improved anatomic imaging will improve our understanding of tumor growth rates in small lung cancers. Fostering basic research  In addition to his clinical activities, teaching, lecturing and written contributions to numerous peer-reviewed publications, Costello plans to improve radiology’s activities in basic research. He has an interest in fostering a small-animal imaging program that has the potential to bring multiple basic scientists together. According to Costello, this type of research can lead to developing new imaging tools including micro CT, micro MR, micro Positron Emission Tomography (PET) and ultrasound imaging.  “We’re discovering that there’s a need for multiple investigators to have access to basic imaging research,” Costello said. “Scientists working in oncology, cardiac, vascular imaging, angiogenesis, drug development and tumor treatment programs share joint interests.” Joining Costello and contributing to his expertise in the areas of cardio-pulmonary radiology  and CT research development is Joseph Schoepf, M.D., formerly with Brigham and Women’s Hospital. A cardiothroacic imaging specialist, Schoepf will work alongside Heart & Vascular Center cardiologists and vascular interventional radiol-ogists to enhance their use of imaging.  “There’s a great sense of discovery and collaboration around campus,” Costello said. “It’s an exciting time knowing that radiology will help lead the way in so many avenues of clinical exploration.” Friday, Oct. 1, 2004 Catalyst Online is published weekly, updated as needed and improved from time to time by the MUSC Office of Public Relations for the faculty, employees and students of the Medical University of South Carolina. Catalyst Online editor, Kim Draughn, can be reached at 792-4107 or by email, catalyst@musc.edu. Editorial copy can be submitted to Catalyst Online and to The Catalyst in print by fax, 792-6723, or by email to petersnd@musc.edu or catalyst@musc.edu. To place an ad in The Catalyst hardcopy, call Community Press at 849-1778.