2016 in Review: Imaging Advances, Cutting-Edge Research and Departmental Accomplishments

As 2017 approaches, we encourage you to take a moment to look back and reflect on some of UCSF Department of Radiology and Biomedical Imaging’s top advances, cutting-edge research milestones, and departmental accomplishments from the year. 2016 marked a year of significant achievement for UCSF Imaging. Here are just a few noteworthy blog posts that highlight some of the most important topics in radiology, including breast imaging, pediatric imaging, CT colonography and more.

UCSF Study Finds No Evidence for Age-Based Mammography Cut-Off

UCSF Imaging recommends annual mammograms to screen for breast cancer beginning at age 40. But at what age should women stop getting the exam? That question was the focus of a study authored by Cindy Lee, MD, an assistant professor at UCSF Imaging.

Amyloid PET Imaging: Key Advancement for Alzheimer's Disease Assessment

Alzheimer’s disease is the most common form of dementia, accounting for approximately 50 to 70 percent of all cases, yet there are still many complexities involved in diagnosing the disease. Amyloid PET imaging represents a potentially revolutionary advancement in the assessment of those with cognitive impairment.

Making San Francisco the Safest Place to Have a Stroke

The last decade has seen advancement in stroke triage and treatment, but there’s much room for improvement. The San Francisco Stroke Initiative proposes to link UCSF Moffitt Hospital and Zuckerberg San Francisco General Hospital, network their technologies, and outfit them with cutting-edge stroke treatment capacities.

Patient-Friendly Pediatric Scan Suites Ease “Scanxiety”

New pediatric imaging suites – complete with colorful murals, music and sound effects, and moving images projected on the inside of the machine – are helping to ease the “scanxiety” that may come with undergoing medical imaging exams.

Laura’s Journey: From Breast Cancer Diagnosis to Radiant Survival

Laura Holmes Haddad visited the UCSF Imaging facility at 1725 Montgomery Street and shared her journey from terrifying breast cancer diagnosis to three years of radiant survival.

3-D Holographic Imaging: A Groundbreaking New Way to Diagnose Colorectal Cancer

For Judy Yee, MD, virtual holography CT colonography (CTC) is the latest phase in a two-decade research career devoted to detecting colorectal cancer at earlier, more lifesaving stages.

The Distinguished History of the UCSF Department of Radiology and Biomedical Imaging

It’s been a great honor to serve the Bay Area and beyond for more than 100 years. We look back on some of the most important moments that have shaped the UCSF Imaging and the field of imaging as a whole.

Dr. Alisa Gean Walks 39 Miles, Raises Thousands to Fight Breast Cancer with AVON 39

For Alisa Gean, MD, raising funds and participating in 2016’s AVON 39 The Walk to End Breast Cancer was personal. She became the nation’s top individual fundraiser out of thousands of participants.

Precision Medicine and Radiology: Using Groundbreaking Research to Detect Cancer Driver MYC

Michael Evans, PhD, and his colleagues at UCSF recently published a study that suggests carefully designed PET scans can be used to provide important biological information in place of biopsy.

Simultaneous Scanning: Improving Image Quality and Allowing Better Informed Decisions

PET/MRI benefits reach far beyond convenience and reduced radiation. In combination, the two modalities improve patient care by minimizing radiation dose while also providing more accurate images and information.

Mary McGinty’s Quest to Reach Underserved Women and Remove Barriers to Accessing Breast Imaging Services

Mammography and biopsies are important tools in breast cancer detection and diagnosis, but some women face barriers both to access and understanding of the procedures. Avon Breast Center's Mary McGinty’s job is to remove those barriers.

Child Life Specialists: Empowering Pediatric Patients through Knowledge and Play

When it comes to medical treatments, the unknown can cause fear and anxiety in both children and their parents. Part of the role of the Child Life Specialist is to make the unknown more familiar and predictable.