Breast Imaging

R. James Brenner, M.D., J.D., Section Chief

The Breast Imaging Section is responsible for all breast-related imaging examinations, including mammography, ultrasonography, MRI, and interventional procedures (including lesion localizations, stereotactic- and ultrasound-guided core biopsy and fine-needle aspiration biopsy, cyst aspiration, ductography, etc.). We now do approximately 15,000 examinations per year, with a steadily increasing caseload. Fellow appointees will share in performing all our clinical activities, under the supervision of three full-time breast imaging faculty. There is one weekly radiology-pathology correlation conference and one weekly multidisciplinary breast tumor board conference, both of which are attended by fellows and full-time faculty. For those fellows interested in an academic radiology career, research time will be allotted for giving teaching conferences and participating in a variety of ongoing (or self-developed) clinical research projects.
See application procedures.

Breast Imaging and Ultrasound

R. James Brenner, M.D., J.D., and Ruth B. Goldstein, M.D., Section Chiefs

The Department of Radiology is offering a one-year fellowship in Women’s Imaging under the direction of Professors R. James Brenner and Ruth Goldstein. Fellows accepted into the program will spend six months rotating through two sections at the UCSF campus. These are the breast imaging section (Professor Brenner) and the section of diagnostic sonography (Professor Goldstein).

The breast imaging section is responsible for all breast-related imaging examinations, including sonography, MRI and interventional procedures (including lesion localizations, stereotactic- and ultrasound-guided core biopsy and fine-needle aspiration biopsy, cyst aspiration, ductography, etc.). The section does approximately 15,000 examinations per year, with a steadily increasing caseload. Fellow appointees will share in all clinical activities, under the supervision of three full-time breast imaging faculty. There is one weekly radiology-pathology correlation conference and one weekly multidisciplinary breast tumor board conference, both of which are attended by fellows and full-time faculty.

The section of diagnostic sonography has four full-time and three part-time faculty members. Approximately 30,000 sonograms are performed yearly including obstetrics, gynecology, abdominal, neonatal, thyroid, and testicular examinations. There is also a strong emphasis on noncarotid Doppler examinations. Numerous biopsies and fluid aspirations are done annually. The section has a large commitment in the evaluation of fetal dysmorphology. UCSF is a major center for in utero therapy. Fellows participate fully in the section’s clinical activities.
See application procedures.

Breast and Body Imaging
San Francisco General Hospital

Lori M. Strachowski, M.D., Director, Women's Imaging
Pierre Cohen, M.D., Director, Body Imaging Fellowship

UCSF is now offering a unique one-year cross sectional imaging program, centered at our San Francisco General Hospital campus, designed to provide excellent clinical exposure to those desiring additional Body Imaging training with a specific interest in Breast Imaging. Trainees are afforded the opportunity to act with relative independence and develop the skills that bridge the gap between the sheltered didactic experiences of residency and the complex realities of clinical practice in Radiology.

Breast Imaging Program
Six months will be spent at the Avon Comprehensive Breast Care Center located on the San Francisco General Hospital campus. The Center which opened in July 2004 is a high volume, fully digital facility with 3 FFDM units in house and one FFDM unit on a mobile van, 2 dedicated breast ultrasound units, a breast interventional suite for vacuum-assisted stereotactic core biopsies and an outpatient surgical suite for breast procedures. Additional breast procedures performed at the center include ultrasound guided fine needle aspiration and core biopsies, ductography, and wire localization. There is one monthly breast interdisciplinary correlation conference. Research opportunities are abundant.

Cross Sectional Imaging Program
The program consists of in-depth clinical rotations covering each of the major modalities: MRI, CT, US, and radiography, with focused attention in body and musculoskeletal MRI, neuroradiology, obstetrical US, and thoracic imaging. Experience with biopsy techniques, using a variety of modalities, is available. Furthermore, should the participant desire, more specialized interventional experience may be obtained, although participants at San Francisco General Hospital do not rotate through the interventional radiology service, and are not responsible for the performance of interventional procedures.
Benefits and Unique Features of the Cross Sectional Imaging Program at San Francisco General Hospital
Participants in the program learn to deal with the problems of managing a radiology department by providing primary oversight over day-to-day clinical operations. Senior faculty staff every subspecialty at San Francisco General Hospital and are present to ensure a satisfying training experience. Program participants at San Francisco General Hospital work under the direct supervision of the senior faculty on a daily basis. The senior faculty also provide after-hours back up coverage on call and daily didactic conferences for the UCSF radiology residents rotating at San Francisco General Hospital, which the program participants may attend as their schedule permits. In addition, there are weekly conferences designed especially for this program that include subjects of the participants' particular interest, whether case based conferences or didactic lectures in areas of faculty expertise: musculoskeletal MRI, trauma/ED radiology, pelvic, body, and cardiovascular MRI and MRA, high-resolution CT of the lung, and ultrasound.
The Cross Sectional Imaging Program at San Francisco General Hospital offers in-depth training in cross-sectional modalities with subspecialty expertise, yet with the flexibility required to tailor the training to the individual's needs. One recent addition is a rotation at the San Francisco Magnetic Resonance Center, an affiliated facility, which allows increased exposure to musculoskeletal imaging. Independent study time can be used at other UCSF facilities in order to gain access to virtual colonoscopy, PET, PET/CT, and cardiac MRI.
See application procedures.