The UCSF musculoskeletal imaging section is currently composed of Thomas M. Link, M.D. and Lynne Steinbach, M.D. Dr. Link, current chief of the musculoskeletal imaging section, joined the staff in 2004 and is a Professor of Radiology and the Clinical Director of the Musculoskeletal Quantitative Imaging Research (MQIR) group. Dr. Link is internationally known for his expertise in osteoporosis and arthritis, and for performing interventional procedures such as osteoid osteoma ablations. Dr. Steinbach has been at UCSF for 24 years and was chief of musculoskeletal imaging at UCSF for ten years. She is a Professor of Clinical Radiology and Orthopaedic Surgery. Dr. Steinbach is internationally known for her extensive knowledge of musculoskeletal MRI, arthritis and musculoskeletal manifestations of AIDS. Both Drs. Link and Steinbach have written widely on all aspects of these subjects and are highly regarded for their expertise.

There is ample opportunity for scientific investigation in the section. UCSF has state-of-the-art equipment including 3.0T research and clinical MRI units as well as a 7.0T unit. UCSF has always been at the forefront with new imaging techniques. Our residents, fellows, medical students, post-docs, and international fellows are able to find new research projects in this environment. We also collaborate with investigators from other centers through our broad network of connections. Examples of recent projects that are at the forefront of musculoskeletal imaging include the use of PET imaging for evaluating musculoskeletal sarcomas and myeloma in the spine, various uses of MR arthrography, osteoporosis research, high field musculoskeletal MRI at 3.0 Tesla, molecular imaging of cartilage and assessment of new MR sequences for musculoskeletal imaging. All of these projects are enhanced by our excellent rapport with referring clinicians who provide the cases and their follow-up.

The musculoskeletal imaging section also works closely with Sharmila Majumdar, PhD and the MQIR group. This has proved to be a very fruitful and satisfying relationship that is resulting in large NIH grants in the area of musculoskeletal imaging and the formation of a bioengineering research partnership that brings together many related disciplines. Dr. Majumdar has provided her expertise in biophysics and the physics of imaging which has been tremendously helpful in developing state-of-the-art imaging projects. We are getting involved in cutting edge imaging projects in osteoarthritis and cartilage evaluation through this collaboration.
Outside clinical faculty affiliated with UCSF also provide clinical coverage of the section. These individuals include Vincent McCormick, M.D., Michael Staloch, M.D., Todd Osinski, M.D., Avanti Ambekar, M.D. and Gregory Sabo, M.D.

Musculoskeletal Section 2009/2010 with faculty, fellows, residents, and administrative staff.