Radiology

Introduction

Radiologists in this department are board certified, subspecialty or well fellowship trained in imaging diagnosis and therapic procedure. Over 42903 diagnostic studies and therapeutic procedures are performed annually that includes 24 hrs emergency service. The width and depth of the examination from plain radiography, ultrasonography , angiography to CT, provide a full spectrum of medical imaging service necessary to achieve the best imaging diagnosis. We are also actively involved in many different interventional procedures, either as a main or adjuvant therapy, such as embolotherapy for vascular anomalies, chemo-embolization for various neoplasms, percutaneous angioplasty or stenting for reestablishing vascular patency, percutaneous bypass for biliary or urinary tract obstruction, and sonography or CT-guided aspiration, drainage or biopsy. Academically, the department holds daily meeting and teaching rounds for residents and weekly inter-department meeting of grand round to discuss or exchange views on up-to date radiological topics.

Services Provided

(1) Breast Imaging:
The Breast Imaging provides screening and problem-solving mammography for outpatients. The basic examination utilizes state-of-the-art, low-dose film screen equipment with the capability for supplemental clarification with magnification, spot compression, and special projects. Hand-held, high-resolution ultrasound examinations are utilized, when appropriate, for differentiation of cystic from solid lesions. When necessary, needle localizations are performed in conjunction with outpatient surgical biopsy. As an alternative to needle localization and excisional biopsy, stereotactic or ultrasound-guided large core needle biopsies are performed when appropriate.

(2) Cardiovascular Imaging:
We offer clinical vascular examinations for noninvasive evaluation of individuals with a wide range of vascular disorders. We regularly perform examinations to assess the thoracic and abdominal aorta in persons with aneurysms or dissection. We also have extensive experience evaluating individuals with claudication and peripheral vascular disease as well as cases of secondary hypertension related to renal artery stenosis. Angioplasty and stenting for peripheral vascular disease and dilatation of stenosis of AV shunting are performed in case of clinical requirement.

(3) Computed Tomography (CT):
Falcuty and staff in this department conduct CT studies of head and neck, chest, abdomen, pelvis, extremity, and performing dynamic CT, CT angiography, CT arterial portography and image-guided biopsy, aspiration, drainage and tumor ablations. The equipment consists of systec 2000i General Electric whole body CT scanners.

(4) Emergency radiology:
Radiology department provides 24 hrs emergency imaging service of conventional radiograph and computed tomgraphy. Special radiological imaging study and interventional therapeutic procedures for drainage of abscess, drainage of biliary duct, percuteneous drainage of acute cholecystitis, embolization or localization of massive bleeders of tumor or vessels are conducted as clinical physicians requirement.

(5) Gastrointestinal Radiology:
Radiologists in this department perform diagnostic imaging studies of the GI tract. The faculty and staff work closely with gastroenterologists, surgeons, and other specialists to evaluate and perform studies on patients with known or suspected GI diseases including:

• phagrams (barium swallows) - for patients with difficulty swallowing or reflux symptoms.
• upper GI studies - for patients with dyspepsia, epigastric pain, vomiting or other upper GI conditions.
• small bowel studies - for patients requiring small bowel follow through studies and/or small bowel enemas for abdominal pain or diarrhea.
• barium enemas - for patients with rectal bleeding, colonic symptoms or colon cancer screening.

For all of these examinations, a "double contrast" technique is used to detect more subtle GI abnormalities than conventional barium studies with no additional risk to patients.

(6) Genitourinary Radiology:
We perform a wide variety of diagnostic and interventional procedures for patients with known or suspected genitourinary diseases. The radiologists within this department conduct diagnostic imaging studies to evaluate the anatomy and function of upper and lower urinary tracts including the kidneys, ureters, bladder and urethra in patients with:

• hematuria or blood in the urine.
• malignancies, known or suspected.
• urinary stone disease.
• urinary fistulas.
• voiding dysfunction.

In addition, the radiologists within the division perform procedures for women with infertility including diagnostic hysterosalpinogography and interventional fallopian tube recanalization.

We also perform a wide variety of non-vascular interventional procedures for patients with their own or with transplanted kidneys. These procedures include:

• percutaneous nephrostomy.
• ureteral stent placement and removal.
• dilation of urinary tract narrowings or strictures.
• ablation or obliteration of cysts and other fluid collections in or around the kidney including lymphoceles.
• non-surgical interventional procedures related to urinary tract stone disease.

(7) Interventional Radiology:
The Interventional Radiology offers the diagnosis and treatment of a variety of diseases using minimally invasive techniques. We perform many procedures annually, many of them are therapeutic, covering every aspect of the field. Procedures include:

• angioplasty and stenting for peripheral vascular disease
• uterine artery embolization for uterine fibroids
• arterial chemoembolization ablation for the treatment of liver cancer
• abscess aspiration and drainage
• biliary interventions including biopsy, dilatation, drainage,stenting and stone extraction
• gastric tube placement, percutaneous gastrostomy
• Esophageal stricuure dilataion and stenting dialysis graft surveillance and declots

(8) Musculoskeletal Radiology:
The Musculoskeletal Radiology include bone and joint imaging, spinal imaging, metabolic bone disease and osteoporosis. Imaging techniques include bony radiography, arthrography,computerized tomography, CT reconstruction of facial bone or spine. In here we also handles all aspects of plain film studies related to the Emergency Room and Trauma areas.

(9) Neuroradiology:
We provide high level of expertise in imaging study of cerebrovascular disease and stroke, epilepsy, cancer of the brain and neck, disorders of the spine, head and spinal cord injury, and those of hHigh resolution thin section study of temporal bone, CT facial bone and spine reconstruction study.

(10)Thoracic Imaging:
The Thoracic Imaging formerly known as Chest Radiology, is responsible for a variety of clinical chest-related imaging, including conventional radiographs, CT scans and some cardiovascular imaging. Many interventional procedures also practice in this department such as biopsy of lung tumor, drainage of lung or pleural abscess or effusion , dilatation of esophageal stricture,dilatation therapy of Achalasia, esophageal stent placement. Radiologists also have conferences with groups that include physicians from pulmonary medicine, oncology, surgery, pathology, and others, as well as conferences with various intensive care units.

(11)Ultrasound:
Ultrasound technology allows doctors to "see" inside a patient without resorting to surgery. A transmitter sends high frequency sound waves into the body, where they bounce off the different tissues and organs to produce a distinctive pattern of echoes. A receiver "hears" the returning echo pattern and forwards it to a computer, which translates the data into an image on a television screen. Because ultrasound can distinguish subtle variations between soft, fluid-filled tissues, it is particularly useful in providing diagnostic images of the abdomen. Various kinds of diagnostic and therapeutic studies are performed in this department including abdominal, thoracic, thyroid, genital, articular , vascular Doppler sonography and sonoguided aspiration, biopsy and drainage procedure.

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