Imperial College London

Professor Tom Bourne

Faculty of MedicineDepartment of Metabolism, Digestion and Reproduction

Chair in Gynaecology
 
 
 
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Contact

 

+44 (0)20 3313 5131t.bourne Website

 
 
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Location

 

Early pregnancy and acute gynaecologyInstitute of Reproductive and Developmental BiologyHammersmith Campus

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Summary

 

International Ovarian Tumor Analysis Trial (IOTA)

The International Ovarian Tumor Analysis (IOTA) group was founded in 1999 by Dirk Timmerman, Lil Valentin and Tom Bourne. Its first aim was to develop standardized terminology. In 2000, IOTA published a consensus statement on terms, definitions and measurements to describe the sonographic features of adnexal masses, which is now widely used. IOTA now covers a multitude of studies examining many aspects of gynecological ultrasonography within a network of contributing centers throughout the world. Over 30,000 adnexal masses have now been included in the study. Tom Bourne can be seen being interviewed about diagnosing ovarian cancer below.


Tom Bourne speaking about simple rules

Having agreed on standardized terminology, the principal IOTA investigators from different centers prospectively collected a large cohort of patients with a persistent adnexal mass. Accurate preoperative discrimination between benign and malignant adnexal masses is known to be of pivotal value in clinical practice. Research has focused on the development of predictive models to estimate the risk of malignancy. 

 

 

Simple Rules

 

IOTA developed easy descriptors and simple rules  that can be used in up to 80% of adnexal masses to correctly classify them as benign or malignant. They were prospectively and externally validated, and proved to have very good performances, close to that of subjective assessment of an expert sonographer. Moreover, they maintain performance in the hands of users with different levels of ultrasound experience. IOTA subsequently published the ADNEX-model - the first predictive multi-class model that is able to differentiate between four subgroups of malignant tumors. This ADNEX APPhas now been incorporated into a user friendly APP and embedded in to several manufacturers ultrasound machines to enable clinicians to use this easily in the clinic.

Currently IOTA is engaged in several new studies. The group is investigating the long-term behavior of expectantly managed adnexal pathology (IOTA phase 5). This will answer important questions about complications and malignant transformation in masses that are left in situ. Studies are being carried out to determine the best second stage test for masses that are difficult to classify by the existing models, for instance by MRI (IOTA-MRI). Other studies focus on the identification of new potential biomarkers (trans-IOTA) to be incorporated in diagnostic models.

Today there are over 50 clinical units contributing to IOTA studies, nearly every continent is represented. The group is multidisciplinary and involves gynecologists, radiologists, oncologists as well as physicists and biologists. The group believes that good communication between all these disciplines is how ideas can be turned into improvements for patients. 

IOTA investigators

ASSESSMENT OF BIOMARKERS IN PREGNANCY OF UNKNOWN LOCATION AND ECTOPIC PREGNANCY (ABPEP)

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A pregnancy of unknown location (PUL) is a phenomenon in early pregnancy where a woman has a positive pregnancy test but we cannot see where the pregnancy is with an ultrasound scan. The concern is that we may be missing an ectopic pregnancy (a potentially dangerous situation where the pregnancy is not in the womb).

Streamlining care for these patients

The management of women with a PUL or an ectopic pregnancy can be prolonged and variable.  We now know many PUL and ectopic pregnancies can be managed safely with an expectant (a wait and see) approach and not everyone will require medical or surgical intervention. We are carrying out research that assesses a mathematical model which helps us provide individualised care and see which PUL APPwomen are suitable for this approach. We are incorporating these models into user friendly APP's to make the use of these models user friendly.

Monitoring pregnancy of unknown location (PUL) and ectopic pregnancy without visiting the clinic

Currently, monitoring for both these conditions requires blood tests that must be taken at an early pregnancy clinic. We are developing a novel technique using urine rather than blood sample analysis that may result in fewer visits to the clinic.

Looking at novel biomarkers for PUL and ectopic pregnancy patients

We are also carrying out research looking for new hormones or markers in blood, urine or vaginal swab samples which may assist us in treating women with a PUL or ectopic pregnancy. This could lead to fewer blood tests, scans and visits to the Early Pregnancy Unit for women, which we know can be emotionally demanding.

Approved study number: 14/NS/1078- NRES Committee North Scotland


ShabnamThe clinical research Ph.D. fellow responsble for this project is Dr Shabnam Bobdiwala.

THE PSYCHOLOGICAL IMPACT OF EARLY PREGNANCY EVENTS (PIEPE)

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Early pregnancy losses are common, with miscarriage affecting 25% of women who have been pregnant by 39 years of age. They are unique in encompassing both bereavement and a personal clinical pathology. For this reason, an understanding of the emotional implications for the woman cannot easily be extrapolated from our understanding of other illness behaviour or grief reactions.

Grief, to different degrees, and depending on the circumstances of the loss, in response to the loss of a potential child and imminent parenthood, is perhaps inevitable. Some level of anxiety relating to ones future ability to procreate is also an anticipated response.

However, small-scale projects thus far have demonstrated that pregnancy losses are also recognized precipitants of longer-term psychological disorder, including anxiety, depression and post-traumatic stress. 

This research project, supported by Imperial College Healthcare Charity, assesses the frequency and severity of psychological morbidity in women, and their partners  and in comparison to a control group of women with healthy early pregnancies. We use self-report questionnaires, which are sent to participants 1, 3 and 9 months after a loss. By collating demographic and clinical data, we aim to assess for risk factors predicting psychological sequelae. With a better understanding of their impact, clinical management strategies may be tailored to address the womans emotional as well as physical needs. There would also be the potential to better target support and counseling.

As of the start of May 2015, we had recruited just over 600 women across 3 sites (St Mary's, Queen Charlotte's and Chelsea & Westminster). The next stage of the project is to validate the results from the self-report questionnaires by performing interviews on a portion of respondents.

Jessica FarrenThe clinical research Ph.D fellow responsible for this project is Dr Jessica Farren.

 

PREDICTING ADVERSE PREGNANCY OUTCOME FROM EARLY PREGNANCY (EPOS)

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In a recent meta-analysis by the ESHRE early pregnancy special interest group it has been suggested that bleeding and pain in early pregnancy may be associated with a significant risk of later complications in pregnancy including intra-uterine growth restriction (IUGR), pregnancy induced hypertension and pre-term labour. These data are retrospective and the characterisation of the events described is suboptimal. For example, the term bleeding in pregnancy could mean anything from a single spot of blood to heavy bleeding and passing large clots. There were no attempts to quantify pain or duration of episodes of pain and bleeding. Similarly the presence of sub-chorionic haematoma has been related to both miscarriage and premature labour. However the relative importance of the size, location and timing of these lesions is largely not known.

There is a clear need to prospectively evaluate the long-term impact of events in early pregnancy. The clinical relevance of such a study is that women can be selected as being œat risk and so offered appropriate fetal surveillance and potential early intervention when necessary. For example, those identified at risk of pre-term birth may be offered surveillance of the length of their cervix, as well as being given vaginal progesterone. However, it is clearly inappropriate and would create a vast amount of work with associated costs if all women who suffered an early pregnancy complication were offered serial scans. We urgently need to understand which early pregnancy events represent a risk to the fetus in later pregnancy and direct any surveillance strategies towards those women selected to be at risk.

The EPOS study has been designed to address these issues. We aim to assess the risk of miscarriage in pregnancies complicated by events in the first trimester as well as evaluate their impact on the longer term pregnancy outcomes. Using this information we will develop a risk prediction model to aid in risk stratification and therefore planning of clinical care. The addition of biomarker information may contribute to such a model to aid prediction of outcomes.

The official National Institutes of Health definition of a biomarker is a characteristic that is objectively measured and evaluated as an indicator of normal biologic processes, pathogenic processes, or pharmacologic responses to a therapeutic intervention. A biomarker can be used for diagnosis of a disease, identification of individuals at risk for disease prevention, as a potential drug target, or as a potential marker for a drug response or to predict outcome. Therefore the role of identifying potential biomarkers has greatly increased, particularly as these have not previously been assessed thoroughly in early pregnancy. These can aid diagnosis, assess severity, help in monitoring of conditions and possibly aid in response to treatment. Biomarkers within the context of this study may help in the metabolic and microbiological mapping of pregnancies and aid in the development of a risk model and therefore increase its sensitivity and specificity.

The high throughout of a diverse selection of patients at Queen Charlotte™s & Chelsea Hospital has enabled the study to thus far be successful in recruiting over 600 participants. Each participant is recruited in early pregnancy, from as early as 5 weeks gestation, and scanned every 2 weeks in the first trimester. Then a routine dating and anomaly scan is performed. Following this an additional third trimester growth scan is performed. Data with regards to patient demographics, symptoms, ultrasound scan findings and pregnancy outcome is collected. In addition to this, samples of blood, urine and a vaginal swab are taken at a minimum of three and maximum of six time points throughout pregnancy. The aim of this is to create a longitudinal metabolic map of pregnancies as well as identifying potential biomarkers for adverse pregnancy outcome, such as miscarriage, pre-term birth and pre-eclampsia. 

MayaThe clinical research Ph.D. fellow responsible for this project is Dr Maya Al-Memar

DOCTORS VIEWS AND EXPERIENCES OF THE MEDICAL COMPLAINTS SYSTEM (the IMPACT study)

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impact paperSince the recommendations from the Shipman inquiry have been implemented, the number of formal complaints being investigated by the GMC has doubled. There has been recent media coverage highlighting a rise in complaint of 23% in just one year.

There is also a view that there are significantly more informal and formal internal investigations held in response to complaints raised about doctors both from patients and colleagues.

There is little or no information on the impact of these changes on individual doctors and on the way they practice medicine. Whilst the process aims to protect patients, the end result on balance may be doctors who have been made unwell and who practice medicine more defensively. It is therefore important that we better understand these issues, both for patients and doctors.

We are interested in investigating

i) the psychological impact of different levels of inquiry for the individual doctor

ii) how the process of being investigated for a complaint affects future practice

iii) whether those who have been subject to a complaint think they have been treated reasonably and fairly and

iv) ways of predicting those who are particularly at risk of getting into difficulty so that support can be offered at an earlier stage. We hope that these findings will be used to steer future policy. At the conclusion of the study, we will publish a report which will be available to all participants.

The first paper from this study can be read by clicking on the following link. The paper was associated with significant media interest both in the UK and elsewhere

Collaborators

EPOS trial - the long term impact of early pregnancy events trial, Professor Phil Bennett, Predicting pregnancy complications, 2014

Peter Doubilet and Carol Benson, Harvard University, Developing guidance for the diagnosis of early pregnancy failure, 2012

Professor Arri CoomerasamyDept Gynaecology and Reproductive medicine, University of Birmingham, PROMISE active - a study into the use of progesterone in women presenting with possible miscarriage in early pregnancy, 2012

Dr Mike Peters, British Medical AssociationDoctors to Doctor Unit, The IMPACT study - investigating the IMPACT of complaints and disputes on the psychological wellbeing of Doctors, 2012

Professor Arri Coomersamy, University of Birmingham, PRISM trial - use of progesterone in women with bleeding in early pregnancy, 2012

Richard Harvey and Rosemary Fisher, Trophoblast Unit, Charing Cross Hospital, Imperial College. London, urinary and serum hCG variants in PUL and ectopic pregnancy, serum biochemistry in trophoblast disease, 2011 - 2015

Professor Andrew Horne, University of Edinburgh, Biochemical markers in early pregnancy, 2010

Dr Maria Jalmbrant, The Maudesley Hospital, Psychological impact of early pregnancy complications, 2010

Professor Jan Brosens, Imperial College, Implantation, 2009

Mr Christoph Lees, Addenbrookes HospitalCambridge University NHS Trust, Implantation studies in high risk pregnancy, early pregnancy growth, 2009

Professor Kurt Barnhart, Penn State University, USA, Early pregnancy complicationsEctopic pregnancy, 2009 - 2014

Professor George Condous, University of Sydney, Pregnancies of unknown location - IPULA trial, 2006 - 2020

Professor Lil Valentin, Malmo University Sweden, International ovarian tumor analysis trial (IOTA), 1998 - 2020

Professor Dirk Timmerman, Katholieke University of Leuven, Diagnosis of Ovarian pathologyUltrasoundEarly pregnancy, 1997 - 2020

Guest Lectures

Cases where IOTA might not help now: managing ovarian cysts found by chance in pregnancy, International Society for Ultrasound in Obstetrics and Gynecology, 33rd World Congress, Seoul, Korea, 2023

The IOTA ADNEX model: what are the variables and how well does it perform?, International Society for Ultrasound in Obstetrics and Gynecology, 33rd World Congress, Seoul, Korea, 2023

How big a problem are ovarian masses in pregnancy and how should we evaluate them?, International Ovarian Tumor Analysis Conference (IOTA) - 25th anniversery meeting, KU Leuven, Belgium, 2023

IOTA Classification and Update, Joint meeting of the British Gynaecological Cancer Society (BGCS), the British Society for Gynaecological Imaging (BSGI)and the British Medical Ultrasound Society (BMUS), Virtual, 2023

Avoiding diagnostic error in early pregnancy, International Society for Ultrasound in Obstetrics and Gynecology, Virtual, 2023

Recognising and managing physiological cysts and using benign IOTA descriptors, International Society for Ultrasound in Obstetrics and Gynecology (ISUOG), Virtual, 2023

Burnout among Obstetricians and Gynaecologists, Obstetrics and Gynaecology Society of Malaysia, 29th Annual Meeting of the Obstetrics and Gynaecology Society of Malaysia, 2022

Burnout among Obstetricians and Gynaecologists, Obstetrics and Gynaecology Society of Malaysia, 29th annual meeting of the Obstetrical and Gynaecological Society of Malaysia, 2022

Burnout and Restricted care: the Mental Health of the Workforce in Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologist World Conference, London, 2022

Pattern recognition and benign descriptors: some masses have distinct features that do not require models and rules, Australian Society for Ultrasound in Obstetrics and Gynaecology (ASUM)IOTA Masterclass Webinar, Sydney, 2022

The IOTA ADNEX Model: variables and performance, International Ovarian Tumor Analysis Group virtial meeting based in Leuven Belgium, Leuven, Belgium, 2022

How to classify ovarian pathology: simple descriptors, the IOTA ADNEX model and ORADS, Japanese Society for Ultrasound in Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Virtial;, 2022

Classifying Ovarian Masses as Benign or Malignant using the IOTA ADNEX model, Philippines Society for Ultrasound in Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Manilla, 2021

Classifying Ovarian pathiology, Indonesian Society for Gynaecological Oncology, Jakarta, 2021

Burnout and Defensive Medical Practice in Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Norwegian Association of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists, Oslo, 2021

Modern management of Pregnancy of Unknown Location, Norwegian Association of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists, Oslo, 2021

The Psychological Impact of Early Pregnancy Loss, Catholic University Rome, MARATHON FOR SOLIDARITY meeting to raise money for COVID relief in India, 2021

An introduction to the IOTA ADNEX model to characterise ovarian masses, FLAUS - Latin American Federation of Societies of Ultrasound in Medicine and Biology and the Sociedad Argentina de Ultrasonografía en Medicina y Biología, Argentina, 2021

Using Pattern Recognition and Simple Descriptors to Classify Ovarian Tumours, International Ovarian Tumor Analysis Trial meeting, Leuven - virtual, 2021

The Psychological Impact of Early Pregnancy Loss, International Society for Ultrasound in Obstetrics and Gynecology - 30th Anniversary meeting - "Ultrasound in Obstetrics and Gynecology: the current state of the art around the world", Virtual meeting to over 11,000 delegates, 2021

Keynote Lecture: Burnout and wellbeing: Being a doctor can be bad for your health, International Society for Ultrasound in Obstetrics and Gynecology, 30th World Congress of Ultrasound in Obstetrics in gynecology, 2020

IOTA SIMPLE descriptors and simple rules: What are the ultrasound features and how to use the rules. Can they be applied to all masses?, International Society for Ultrasound in Obstetrics and Gynecology, London, 2020

Avoiding diagnostic error when managing early pregnancy complications, International Society for Ultrasound in Obstetrics and Gynecology, London, 2020

Unlocking the potential for crystalview ro diagnose early pregnancy abnormalities, Samsung Medison with Beijing University, Webinar, 2020

Working as a hospital doctor can be bad for your health with negative consequences for patients: Burnout, wellbeing and how this is associated with defensive medical practice in the UK., The Kings Fund Annual Conference, London, 2019

The Impact of Complaints on Doctors, Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists - World Conference of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Excel Centre London, 2019

Using IOTA Ultrasound Simple Rules and the ADNEX model to classify ovarian pathology, Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists - World Conference of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Excel Centre London, 2019

The Psychological Impact of Early Pregnancy Loss, Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists - World Conference of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Excel Centre London, 2019

Avoiding diagnostic error in early pregnancy, Expert pregnancy imagingImperial College London, British Medical Association, 2019

Plenary Lecture: Reporting Adnexal Findings with IOTA Variables – The Use of Simple Rules and the ADNEX Risk Model in Clinical Practice, 15th Singapore International Society of Ultrasound inObstetrics & Gynecology (ISUOG) Approved CourseIn conjunction with8th Scientific Congress of theCollege of Obstetricians & Gynaecologist, Singapore (COGS), KK Hospital Singapore, 2019

Essentials of Gynae Ultrasound (TA & TV Approach), 15th Singapore International Society of Ultrasound inObstetrics & Gynecology (ISUOG) Approved CourseIn conjunction with8th Scientific Congress of theCollege of Obstetricians & Gynaecologist, Singapore (COGS), KK Hospital Singapore, 2019

The Impact of Complaints on Doctors – A New Study on Burnout and Defensive Practice, 15th Singapore International Society of Ultrasound inObstetrics & Gynecology (ISUOG) Approved CourseIn conjunction with8th Scientific Congress of theCollege of Obstetricians & Gynaecologist, Singapore (COGS), KK Hospital singapore, 2019

The Use of Ultrasound in Acute and Chronic Pelvic pain, 15th Singapore International Society of Ultrasound inObstetrics & Gynecology (ISUOG) Approved CourseIn conjunction with8th Scientific Congress of theCollege of Obstetricians & Gynaecologist, Singapore (COGS), KK Hospital Singapore, 2019

The psychological Impact of Early pregnancy loss, 15th Singapore International Society of Ultrasound inObstetrics & Gynecology (ISUOG) Approved CourseIn conjunction with8th Scientific Congress of theCollege of Obstetricians & Gynaecologist, Singapore (COGS), KK Hospital, Singapore, 2019

How Art mimics ultrasound - Pattern recognition, International Ovarian Tumor Analysis Meeting - Leuven 2019, Leuven, Belgium, 2019

Ultrasound: how can the IOTA rules differentiate pelvic masses to direct surgical radicality? Comparison to MRI features, European Society for Gynaecological Oncology ESGO, European Surgical Institute, Hamburg, 2019

The Psychological Consequences of Early Pregnancy Complications, Plenary lecture at the International Society for Ultrasound in Obstetrics and Gynecology World Congress, Singapore, 2018

Avoiding Diagnostic Error in Early Pregnancy, International Society for Ultrasound in Obstetrics and Gynecology (ISUOG), World Congress Singapore, 2018

IOTA Simple Rules - what they are and their test performance, Beijing Obstetrics and Gynaecology Hospital, Beijing, China, 2018

The ADNEX risk prediction model – what are the variables and test performance, Beijing Obstetrics and Gynaecology Hospital, Beijing, China, 2018

Simple descriptors to classify ovarian masses - how we approach scanning masses, Beijing Obstetrics and Gynaecology Hospital, Beijing, China, 2018

Simple Descriptors to classify ovarian masses, how we approach scanning masses, International Society for Ultrasound in Obstetrics and Gynecology, Athens, Greece, 2018

The ADNEX risk prediction model, what are the variables and test performance, International Society for Ultrasound in Obstetrics and Gynecology, Athens, Greece, 2018

Adnexal cysts that cause acute pain in the pelvis, International Society for Ultrasound in Obstetrics and Gynecology, Athens, Greece, 2018

Diagnosis and Management of Tubal Ectopic Pregnancy, International Society for Ultrasound in Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Athens, Greece, 2018

How to avoid diagnostic error in early pregnancy including the ultrasound criteria to diagnose miscarriage, International Society for Ultrasound in Obstetrics and Gynecology, Athens, Greece, 2018

The eveidence based approach to managing pregnancy of unknown location (PUL), International Society for Ultrasound in Obstetrics and Gynecology, Athens, Greece, 2018

The Effect of Complaints on Doctors Lives, International Society for Ultrasound in Obstetrics and Gynecology, Athens, Greece, 2018

How to correctly classify ovarian masses –including the use of IOTA rules and models, GYNDOLOMITIDER ANDERE KONGRESS5. FORTBILDUNGSTAGUNGFÜR GYNÄKOLOGIE UNDGEBURTSHILFE, St Cassiano Italy, organised by Professor Wilfried Feichtinger, 2018

How to avoid diagnostic error when assessingcomplications in early pregnancy, GYNDOLOMITIDER ANDERE KONGRESS5. FORTBILDUNGSTAGUNGFÜR GYNÄKOLOGIE UNDGEBURTSHILFE, St Cassiano ItalyOrganised by Professor Wilfried Feitinger, 2018

Evaluating early pregnancy problems, British Fertility SocietyThe 11th Joint Conference of the UK Fertility Societies, Liverpool ACC, 2018

Avoiding Diagnostic Error in Early Pregnancy, RCOG Annual Professional Development Conference, Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists, 2017

Pregnancy of Unknown Location, ESHRE - European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology, Geneva, 2017

Simple descriptors to classify ovarian masses – how we approach scanning masses, Obstetrics and Gynaecology Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China, 2017

The ADNEX risk prediction model – what are the variables and test performance, Obstetrics and Gynaecology Hospital at Fudan University, Shanghai, China, 2017

IOTA Simple Rules – what they are and their test performance, Obstetrics and Gynaecology Hospital ofFudan University, Shanghai, China, 2017

Ultrasound to assess fibroids, Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists, World Congress Cape Town, 2017

The evidence based management of pregnancy of unknown location (PUL), Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists, World Congress Cape Town, 2017

How should we evaluate ovarian pathology: The use of IOTA Simple Rules and the ADNEX model, Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists, World Congress in Cape Town, 2017

Avoiding diagnostic error in early pregnancy, Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists, World Congress, Cape Town, 2017

The psychological impact of early baby loss, The All-Party Parliamentary Group on Baby Loss, House of Commons London, 2016

Update on Ultrasound and Fibroids, Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists, London, 2016

Why do doctors become unwell, disaffected, afraid to speak up, and leave?, Faculty of Medical Leadership and ManagementLeaders In Health Conference, ACC Liverpool, 2016

An update from the DOM trial: avoiding diagnostic error in early pregnancy, ESGE (European Society for Gynaecological Endoscopy), The Square, Congress Centre, Brussels, 2016

Ultrasound variables that are used in SIMPLE RULES to diagnose ovarian cancer and how to use them, Interntional Society for Ultrasound in Obstetrics and Gynaecology World Congress, Rome, 2016

Classifying Ovarian Tumors Using the IOTA ADNEX model, Chinese Medical Association - 16th Chinese Society for Ultrasound in Medicine Annual Meeting, Xi'an, China, 2016

Simple Rules and ADNEX - classifying ovarian masses using Simple Rules and the ADNEX model, The 2016 Fudan China-British Summit Forum in Ob/Gyn Ultrasound, Fudan University Shanghai, 2016

Avoiding Diagnostic Error in Early Pregnancy, 2016 Fudan China-British Summit Forum in Ob/Gyn Ultrasound, Fundan University, Shanghai, 2016

The Impact of complaints on doctors - why medical regulation and complaints investigations must change in the future, VU University Medical Centre AmsterdamValedictory meeting for Professor Hans Brolmann with the European Society for Gynaecological Endoscopy, Amsterdam, 2016

Death By a Thousand Arrows, Imperial College London, IMPERIAL COLLEGE ANNUAL TEACHERS’ CONFERENCE FRIDAY 10 June 2016 9.00AM– 4.30PM, 2016

Narrative presentation on IMPACT paper, United Kingdom Association for Physician Health, British Medical Association Black SuiteBMA HouseTavistock SquareLondon, 2016

Diagnostic challenges, Royal College of Obstetricians and GynaecologistsEarly pregnancy and acute Gynaecology course, RCOGSussex Place, 2016

‘The Impact of complaints procedures including GMC referral on doctors welfare and practice', Department of Primary Care & Public HealthSchool of Public HealthFaculty of MedicineImperial College London, Department of Primary Care & Public HealthSchool of Public HealthFaculty of MedicineImperial College London, Charing Cross Campus3rd Floor, Reynolds BuildingSt Dunstan's RoadLondon W6 8RP, 2016

Pattern recognition and simple descriptors to classify ovarian masses, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli - RomaInternational Ovarian Tumor Analysis study day, Rome, 2016

Plenary Lecture: Are doctors allowed to be human, RCOG National Trainees Conference, 155 Bishopsgate, 2015

The expectant management of adnexal masses, how to “save the ovary”, RCOG national trainees conference, 155 Bishopsgate, London, 2015

The second victim: How do doctors respond to complaints or when errors are investigated?, International Society for Ultrasound in Obstetrics and Gynecology (ISUOG), Palais De Congress, Montreal, 2015

Plenary lecture - The second victim: how do doctors respond to complaints or when errors are investigated?, International Society for Ultrasound in Obstetrics and Gynecology, Montreal, 2015

Why changes to guidance for the diagnosis of miscarriage were not conservative and could be more rigorous, International Society of Ultrasound in Obstetrics and GynecologyWorld Congress, Montreal, 2015

Pattern recognition and descriptors to classify ovarian masses: introducing a three step strategy, International Society of Ultrasound in Obstetrics and GynecologyWorld Conference, Palais De Congress, Montreal, 2015

Uterine transplantation - pre-, intra-, post-operative, and antenatal imaging protocols, Uterine Transplant UK, The Caledonian Club, London, 2015

The impact of complaints procedures on UK Doctors, Royal College of Physicians Faculty of Forensic and Legal Medicine, Marriott Hotel Bournemouth, 2015

Translational ultrasonography in ambulatory gynaecology, Royal Society of Medicine, London, 2015

What have we learnt from the UKCTOCS trial, American Institute of Ultrasound in Medicine, New York, 2014

What is the best strategy for managing women with pregnancies of unknown location (PUL)?, The Association of Early Pregnancy Units, The Guildhall, Winchester, 2014

Masterclass - International Ovarian Tumor Analysis, The Association of Early Pregnancy Units, The Guildhall, Winchester, 2014

Prediction models for the management of pregnancy of unknown location, Meeting Mediterraneo HOT TOPICS in Diagnosi Prenatale e Ginecologica, Naples - Auditorium "Citta della Scienza", 2014

IOTA models and rules for the diagnosis of ovarian cancer, Meeting Mediterraneo HOT TOPICS in Diagnosi Prenatale e Ginecologica, Naples - Auditorium "Citta della Scienza", 2014

Developing criteria to define miscarriage, new data from the Diagnosis of Miscarriage (DOM) trial: influence of gestation, time between scans and findings on repeat scans, International Society for Ultrasound in Obstetrics and Gynaecology (ISUOG) Early pregnancy and Reproductive Medicine Course, Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (RCOG), 2014

Making a diagnosis of early pregnancy failure, Imperial College London, Queen Charlottes HospitalCombined Reproductive medicine and early pregnancy meeting, 2014

Using IOTA simple rules and descriptors to characterise ovarian pathology, National Italian Society for Ultrasound in Obstetrics and Gynaecology (SIEOG) course in ultrasound in gynaecology - Chairman Antonia Testa, Universita Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Rome, Italy, 2014

Characterising ovarian cysts, Queen Charlottes and Chelsea Hospital Postgraduate forum, Hammersmith Hospital, London, 2013

Diagnosing ovarian cancer: how to characterise ovarian cysts, Advances in GynaecologyReproductive and post-reproductive health, Venue: National Heart and Lung InstituteImperial CollegeLondon, 2013

The characteristics of endometriomas and identifying other sites of endometriosis in the pelvis, Peruvian Society for Ultrasound in Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Lima, Peru, 2013

Management of Pregnancy of Unknown Location (PUL), Peruvian Society for Ultrasound in Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Lima, Peru, 2013

Cystic structures in the pelvis that cause pain - diagnosis and management of ovarian torsion, pelvic abscess and haemorrhagic cysts, Peruvian Society for Ultrasound in Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Lima, Peru, 2013

The characteristics of endometriomas and identifying other sites of endometriosis in the pelvis, Peruvian Society for Ultrasound in Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Lima, Peru, 2013

Invited lecture: Pattern recognition and simple descriptors to classify ovarian masses, International Society for Ultrasound in Obstetrics and Gynecology World Congress, Sydney, Australia, 2013

Invited lecture: Assigning risk rather than predicting location is the key to managing pregnancies of unknown location, International Society for Ultrasound in Obstetrics and Gynecology World Congress, Sydney, Australia, 2013

Plenary Lecture: Safe criteria on which to make a diagnosis of miscarriage, International Society for Ultrasound in Obstetrics and Gynecology - World Congress, Sydney, Australia, 2013

A history of the development and future plans for the IOTA project, British Medical Ultrasound Society (BMUS), London, 2013

An intuitive approach to scanning: pattern recognition and using “descriptors” to characterize ovarian pathology, British Medical Ultrasound Society (BMUS), London, 2013

A different intuitive approach: using “descriptors” to characterize ovarian pathology, International Ovarian Tumor Analysis Trial (IOTA) - International meeting, KU Leuven, Belgium, 2013

Diagnosing miscarriage - not as easy as you might think, Victor Bonney Society, Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists, London, 2012

Early pregnancy units: Be careful or you might do more harm than good, Association of early pregnancy units, Annual meeting, Solihull, 2012

Pregnancies of unknown location (PUL), Early First Trimester Sonography: Guidelines for Diagnosing Miscarriage and Excluding a Viable Intrauterine PregnancyConsensus Conference, Society of Radiologists in Ultrasound, October 23-24, 2012, SRU consensus conference, Baltimore, USA, 2012

Diagnosis of miscarriage using crown-rump length and mean sac diameter: recent research, Early First Trimester Sonography: Guidelines for Diagnosing Miscarriage and Excluding a Viable Intrauterine PregnancyConsensus Conference, Society of Radiologists in Ultrasound, October 23-24, 2012, Baltimore, USA, 2012

Ovarian tumours, 22nd World Congress on Ultrasound in Obstetrics and GynecologyInternational Society for Ultrasound in Obstetrics and Gynecology, Copenhagen, 2012

Characterising ovarian cysts in pre-menopausal women, the research behind the new RCOG guidelines, International Society for Ultrasound in Obstetrics and Gynaecology and the RCOG advanced meeting on gynaecological ultrasound, Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists, London, 2012

What ultrasound criteria can we use to define miscarriage: why did the RCOG amend their guidance?, Combined International Society for Ultrasound in Obstetrics and Gynaecology and RCOG advanced meeting in gynaecological ultrasound, Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists, 2012

Pattern recognition and the assessment of ovarian pathology, Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists and International Society for Ultrasound in Obstetrics and Gynecology, Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecology, London, 2011

Discriminating between benign and malignant ovarian masses, Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaeclogists Senior Staff conference, Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists, London, 2011

Research Staff

Al Memar,M

Al-Memar,M

Kyriacou,C

Kyriacou,C

Parker,N

Research Student Supervision

Abdullah,DY, Pre pregnancy study of endometrium and implantation

Al-Memar,M, Early pregnancy events and impact on short and long-term outcomes, EPOS Study

Bobdiwala,S, The Assessment of Biomarkers in Pregnancy of Unknown Location and Ectopic Pregnancy (ABPEP)

Farren,J, Psychological impact of early pregnancy events

Guha,S, Rationalising follow up for pregnancies of unknown location

Nagi,O, Natural History of Caesarean Section scars

Pexsters,A, Aspects of early embryonic growth and biochemistry

Priesler,J, The diagnosis of miscarriage (DOM) trial

Sasso,S, Long term impact of early pregnancy events

Sayasnah,AS, IOTA 4 and 5 Longitudinal behavior or ovarian cysts detected using ultrasound

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