Disclaimer:
The views and opinions expressed during this podcast are those of the individuals participating and do not necessarily represent the official position or opinion of the SOGC.
Summary: Join guest host Lindsay Wolfson, a women’s health researcher and patient advocate, as she speaks with Dr. Mathew Leonardi and Dr. Basma Al-Arnawoot about the essential role of imaging in diagnosing and managing advanced endometriosis. From ultrasound to MRI, learn how these tools are transforming care, improving early detection, and empowering patients to advocate for themselves on their endometriosis journey.
About Lindsay Wolfson
Lindsay Wolfson, MPH, is a women's health researcher, consultant, and advocate. She holds a Master of Public Health in Social Inequities and Health from Simon Fraser University. Lindsay is currently the manager at a women's health research and knowledge exchange centre, where she focuses on research and collaboration related to perinatal substance use, chronic pain, violence prevention, sexual health, and community health. Lindsay was diagnosed with endometriosis in 2021 after a decade of living with chronic pain.
About Dr. Al-Arnawoot
Dr. Basma Al-Arnawoot is a staff radiologist at Hamilton General Hospital and an Assistant Professor of Radiology at McMaster University. She completed her residency training at McMaster University, followed by a fellowship in Women’s Imaging at the University of Toronto.
With specialized training and expertise in Body and Breast Imaging, Dr. Al-Arnawoot has a particular focus on advanced imaging and the diagnosis of benign complex gynecological conditions. She serves as the Chair of the Endometriosis Working Group at the Canadian Association of Radiology, a Board Member of the Canadian Society of Abdominal Radiology (CSAR) Executive Committee, and the Body MRI Lead at Hamilton General Hospital.
Dr. Al-Arnawoot is an active peer reviewer for several national and international medical journals, including CARJ, RadioGraphics, Reproduction and Fertility Journal, and JMIRO. Her research interests center on imaging of benign complex gynecological diseases and advancements in medical education.
About Dr. LeonardiDr. Mathew Leonardi is an expert in complex gynecology, endometriosis excision surgery and gynaecological ultrasound (assistant professor) at McMaster University Medical Centre in Hamilton, Canada. He is an honorary adjunct lecturer at the University of Adelaide. His philosophy of care includes working in an interdisciplinary team and patient-centred decision making. He has been awarded his PhD from the University of Sydney which is focused on the utility of ultrasound in the diagnosis and surgical management of endometriosis.
Dr. Leonardi is a nationally and internationally recognized leader in his field. He has published over 100 peer-reviewed scientific articles, several textbook chapters, and presented at numerous international congresses on endometriosis. He has received numerous awards for his conference presentations on endometriosis. He is an avid researcher, actively contributing academically to the advancement of gynecologic health.
Dr. Leonardi is on the World Endometriosis Society Early Career Board and a founding member of the Next Generation Committee at the International Society of Ultrasound in Obstetrics and Gynecology. He is an Associate Editor for Reproduction & Fertility and on the Editorial Board for the Journal of Minimally Invasive Gynecology, Ultrasound in Obstetrics and Gynecology, and the Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology of Canada. He is part of an international research group named Imagendo, which won the most prestigious science award in Australia, the 2023 ANSTO Eureka Prize for Innovative Use of Technology.