CV: Dr. Phyllis Glanc

By Eleni Kanavas

Bio Basics: An associate scientist in Evaluative Clinical Sciences and the Women & Babies Research Program at Sunnybrook Research Institute (SRI), and a radiologist at Sunnybrook. Also an associate professor in the departments of medical imaging and obstetrics and gynecology at the University of Toronto. Born and raised in Montréal, Québec. Married to Stephen Kahn with two children, Daniel and Michael.

What is your research focus?

My research focus has evolved over the years but remains linked to women’s imaging and obesity issues. Two long-term areas of investigation include high-risk perinatal imaging, with a focus on fetal musculoskeletal dysplasias (abnormal development), and the effects of obesity on pregnant women. Although my primary clinical appointment is at Sunnybrook, I have maintained privileges at some of the downtown hospitals to continue working with my colleagues there.

Do you collaborate with other SRI scientists?

I was involved in a gynecology oncology radiation project with Drs. Lisa Barbera and Greg Czarnota using elastography to assess vaginal fibrosis post-radiation therapy. As a new member of SRI, I look forward to more involvement with SRI. It is exciting to be a member of SRI as it provides unique opportunities to investigate some of the newer techniques in medical imaging.

What is perinatal imaging?

Perinatal imaging is imaging of the fetus and the newborn. We have a unique set-up at Sunnybrook which permits us to follow babies “across the borders” from the fetal to the newborn state. The obstetrical ultrasound centre at Sunnybrook is managed by the departments of medical imaging and maternal-fetal medicine. We look at fetal wellbeing, and support those babies and moms through the pregnancy. As a perinatal imager, I’m very lucky because I get to follow these babies once they are born in the neonatal intensive care unit.

What are you working on?

We are collating our data on the appropriate timing of early anatomic studies in the obese gravida (pregnant woman). We hope to show that an appropriately timed earlier study will provide better information on fetal development. If early anatomic evaluation of the fetus in the obese gravida is successful, then it may result in future health care savings by decreasing the number of follow-up ultrasound exams these patients often undergo. We have also developed an online database for fetal musculoskeletal dysplasias that now has approximately 10 years of data. We’re utilizing it to see what we can use to improve our diagnostic acumen and predict mortality.