The CIRSE Fellowship Grant Programme (FGP) allows CIRSE members to apply for a grant to fund a one-month stay at a European centre of excellence outside their country of residence, where they can train or experience new procedures. With this programme, the CIRSE Foundation actively supports international mobility of IRs and the growth of IR across Europe.
My name is Ákos Bérczi, MD, PhD. I am a final-year radiology resident at the Heart and Vascular Centre of Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary, with a background in vascular interventional radiology. Motivated by a desire to visit a centre of excellence where research is flourishing and the entire spectrum of interventional radiology is covered, I applied for and received a CIRSE Fellowship Grant. This grant provided me with the extraordinary opportunity to spend a month at the interventional radiology department of St George’s Hospital in London, England.
This report highlights my experiences, the skills I acquired, and the professionalism I observed during my fellowship.
St George’s Hospital, established 290 years ago, is one of the UK’s most historic and prestigious medical institutions. It has a rich history of medical advancements and notable figures, such as Edward Jenner, the pioneer of the smallpox vaccine, and Henry Gray, the author of Gray’s Anatomy, who both worked there. Today, St George’s continues to uphold its reputation for excellence in medical care and education, evident in its recent achievements, such as the opening of the new Interventional Radiology Day Case and Recovery Unit.
Fun fact: St George’s was the home of “24 Hours in A&E”, a famous TV show that aired from 2014-2022.
The incredible IR team at St George’s and their wealth of knowledge are the result of many years of dedication by some truly amazing leaders, including former CIRSE Presidents Prof. Anna-Maria Belli and Prof. Robert Morgan, who is now the head of the department at St George’s. The department offers a wide range of vascular and non-vascular minimally invasive, image-guided procedures, which are performed by a fantastic team of highly skilled professionals. It was also an encouraging look into the future to see so many amazingly skilled women interventional radiologists working here (it is no secret that interventional radiology remains dominated by men in many parts of the world.)
A typical day in the IR department of St George’s is carefully organized to ensure smooth and efficient operations. Here is a breakdown of how the day unfolds:
During my time at St George’s, I was profoundly impressed by the professionalism and dedication of the entire IR team. From the meticulous board rounds and team meetings to the execution of complex procedures, every detail was handled with the utmost care and precision. The exemplary attitude and high standards of the department are attributes I hope to bring back to my home institution in Hungary.
As a trainee with experience in endovascular interventions but limited exposure to non-vascular and oncological interventions, the training I received was of the highest quality. I had the opportunity to observe and assist in a wide range of procedures, including sialoplasty, sclerotherapy, liver and kidney ablations, hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) ablation, transarterial chemoembolization (TACE), transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS), and deep vein arterialization.
Some of the highlights of my fellowship included learning about state-of-the art interventions, such as the following:
As a radiology resident interested mostly in endovascular procedures, one of the highlights of my stay was being part of deep vein arterialization procedures. This included participating in preoperative vascular team meetings and observing the embolization procedure after the main operation. Special thanks to Dr. Joo-Young Chun, one of the leaders in vascular procedures at the IR department, for allowing me to be part of the team.
Another highlight was attending Dr. Lakshmi Ratnam’s clinics and shadowing her during state-of-the-art bleomycin sclerotherapy for venous malformations and paediatric interventions. She was definitely one of the most enthusiastic instructors throughout my stay, providing invaluable insights and guidance.
Having had limited exposure to oncological interventions such as kidney and liver ablations, TACE, and TIPS, it was an amazing opportunity to learn from Dr. Mike Gonsalves and Dr. Seyed Renani, who are renowned experts in the field. Their expertise and willingness to teach significantly enhanced my understanding of these complex procedures.
I also have to mention Dr. Ivan Walton, who was always ready to test my knowledge and teach me the most important aspects, from current guidelines to the most effective devices. Additionally, I had the privilege of learning from Dr. Nikolaos Ntagiantas and Dr. Raj Das, both of whom taught me valuable aspects of interventional radiology. Their mentorship was instrumental in my learning journey.
As a researcher, attending a Radiology Research Evening was a particularly enriching experience. Organized every six months, this event attracts over 50 attendees and features outstanding presentations from medical doctors, nurses, and other specialists. The success of these meetings is undoubtedly supported by the engaging atmosphere and, perhaps humorously, the open bar. The collaborative spirit and innovative research showcased at these events were truly inspiring.
As for the other trainees – on the first day of the fellowship, I had the pleasure of meeting a young trainee from Türkiye, Emre, who had just finished his one-month observership. He provided me with valuable tips about the department, enhancing my learning experience and helping me integrate more smoothly into the team. On my last week, I got to meet an amazing trainee from Italy, Nico, who had just arrived for his fellowship at St George’s IR department. It must be said that these fellowships are amazing opportunities to connect with other IR specialists around the world.
I would like to extend my deepest gratitude to Prof. Robert Morgan, the head of the IR department, for his invaluable guidance and support throughout my fellowship. I also want to thank the entire team, including the physician assistants, nurses, and all the staff, for their warm welcome and exceptional assistance. Special thanks to the amazing physician assistants and fellows, who made me feel at home right from the beginning. They were never too tired or out of time to answer my questions and include me in their daily life activities. Some of these wonderful fellows included: Matt, Arjan, Shy, Lola, Shater, and from the physician assistants: Helen and Lottie. I hope I didn’t miss anyone. Their kindness and professionalism made my stay at St George’s not only educational but also incredibly enjoyable.
I was lucky that my wife, Blanka, also had the opportunity to do an internship as an ophthalmology trainee. She spent precious days at the world-renowned Moorfields Eye Hospital (at St George’s Hospital). This coincidence meant that we were able to have dinner together almost every day, which was another great benefit of our time here. These experiences prove that you can make the most of every opportunity.
My month at St George’s Hospital was an unforgettable experience that greatly enhanced my professional skills and broadened my perspective on interventional radiology. The dedication, expertise, and kindness of the IR team have left a lasting impression on me, and I am eager to apply the knowledge and attitudes I have gained to my practice in Budapest.
Thank you once again to everyone at St George’s Hospital and the CIRSE Fellowship Programme for making this opportunity possible!
