| The UCSF Precision Spine and Peripheral Nerve Center does not use the Methylprednisolone Acetate (PF) 80 mg/mL Injection Lot Numbers: 05212012@68, 06292012@26, 08102012@51 by the NEW ENGLAND COMPOUNDING CENTER (NECC) for injections. Please call the UCSF Precision Spine and Peripheral Nerve Center Nurse: (415) 353-3717 with any questions. |
Patients from throughout the San Francisco Bay Area are referred to the UCSF Precision Spine and Peripheral Nerve Center , which combines both the latest diagnostic spine magnetic resonance and low radiation dose 64 slice computed tomography services with innovative image-guided therapeutic pain management services. UCSF is the only university medical center in Northern California to offer CT-guided advanced spine treatment techniques. More information can be found at the UCSF Spine Imaging website, at www.UCSFSpineImaging.com.
Why do we have pain?
- Highlights
- Conditions Diagnosed and Treated
- Innovative Spine Procedures
- Professional Staff
- Equipment
- Scheduling an Appointment
- Contact the UCSF Precision Spine and Peripheral Nerve Center
Highlights
- The highest resolution scanners available, including a state of the art 64-slice computed tomography (CT) scanner that is dedicated full time to spine treatment and equipped with the latest radiation dose reduction software.
- The highest quality and widest range of diagnostic and interventional spine services available in the San Francisco Bay Area.
- Internationally regarded neuroradiologists, who perform all procedures and interpret all diagnostic studies.
- Dedicated nursing and technologist staff who specialize in maximizing the efficacy and safety for all patients undergoing spine treatment services.
- Low-dose CT and X-ray fluoroscopy technique to minimize patient radiation exposure during spinal procedures.
- A convenient location, across from AT&T Baseball Park in San Francisco, that is easily accessible by car, UCSF shuttle, Caltrain, and Muni.
CT guided treatment of back pain.
Conditions Diagnosed and Treated
World-renowned neuroradiologists at the UCSF Precision Spine and Peripheral Nerve Center diagnose and treat the following causes of back, neck, arm, leg and hip pain, as well as peripheral nerve disorders:
- Degenerative Disc Disease
- Disc Herniations and Osteophytes
- Synovial Cysts
- Peripheral Neuritis
- Spinal Stenosis
- Spinal Deformity
- Vertebral Compression Fractures
- Sacral Insufficiency Fractures
- Spinal Tumors
- Piriformis Syndrome
- Cerebrospinal Fluid (CSF) Leaks
- Facet and Sacroiliac Joint Disease
- Tarlov Cysts
Innovative Spine Procedures
At our spine imaging center, leaders in neuroradiology use the most advanced equipment to perform the latest spine magnetic resonance and computed tomography diagnostic imaging and innovative image-guided therapeutic pain management services, including the following CT-guided, Fluoroscopically-guided, and Magnetic Resonance Neurography procedures:
- Discography
- Lumbar Puncture
- Myelography
- Spinal Biopsy
- Selective Nerve Blocks
- Epidural Injections for Pain Relief
- Facet Injection and Medial Branch Block
- Radiofrequency Ablations for Facet Pain Syndromes
- Sympathetic Ganglion Block
- Sacroiliac Joint Injection
- Epidural Blood Patch
- Spinal Tumor Ablation
- Cyst Aspirations and Drainage
- Vertebroplasty, Kyphoplasty and Sacroplasty
These procedures may allow patients to start or resume physical therapy, more comfortably wait for their surgery date, or in some cases avoid surgery altogether.
CT-Guided Procedures
Interventional radiology techniques are used to diagnose and treat vertebral disc problems and many other conditions of the spine. Imaging technology precisely guides minimally invasive procedures with needles, catheters and other devices to alleviate back pain. Most centers offer only guidance using fluoroscopic X-rays without showing the soft tissue anatomy. At the UCSF Precision Spine and Peripheral Nerve Center, we use real time computed tomography (CT) to guide our spine injections and procedures. With CT, we can precisely deliver spinal injections while visualizing anatomy in three dimensions to maximize effectiveness and patient safety.
Our two 64 slice CT scanners are equipped with the latest radiation dose reduction software (Adaptive Statistical Iterative Reconstruction or “ASIR”) and “Smart mA,” which combine to reduce radiation dose and improve the quality of images. Together, they allow from 50 to 80 percent reduction in patient radiation dose.
Fluoroscopically-Guided Procedures
The UCSF Precision Spine and Peripheral Nerve Center offers traditional fluoroscopically-guided diagnostic spine procedures, such as myelography, discography, and lumbar puncture. Additionally, our fluoroscopy system can be used simultaneously with our CT scanner in an integrated technique that allows both visualization of complex anatomy and real-time interventions. The technique is very effective and safe for procedures such as tumor ablation, vertebroplasty , kyphoplasty, and sacroplasty.
Magnetic Resonance Procedures
Using state-of-the-art 1.5T and 3.0T MRI scanners, the UCSF Precision Spine and Peripheral Nerve Center provides the best diagnostic magnetic resonance imaging available of the spine, brain, pelvis and extremities. We offer an advanced technique, magnetic resonance (MR) neurography, which is useful for diagnosing disorders of the peripheral nerves beyond the spinal canal.
Coronal MR of left sciatic nerve tumor (arrows).
Professional Staff
The neuroradiologists at the UCSF Precision Spine and Peripheral Nerve Center have more than a decade of experience performing CT-guided spinal injections. They pioneered the use of CT for spine interventions, and they are internationally known for developing MR neurography and other advanced MRI techniques.
Our staff includes the following physicians, who are recognized experts in disorders of the spine. They perform all procedures and interpret results while working closely with referring neurosurgeons, neurologists, internal medicine specialists and orthopedists to contribute to the care of patients:
- William P. Dillon, MD
- Cynthia T. Chin, MD
- Christopher P. Hess, MD, PhD
- Esther Yuh, MD
Our professional staff also includes ACLS-certified registered nurses who have extensive experience in the safe administration of conscious sedation during spine procedures.
Equipment
The UCSF Precision Spine and Peripheral Nerve Center features the highest resolution scanners available anywhere, including:
- Two 64-slice GE VCT scanners, including one that is dedicated to full-time use in CT-guided spine intervention procedures
- Two GE Signa 1.5T MRI scanners
- One GE 3.0T MRI scanner, which is used primarily for research purposes
Scheduling an Appointment
To schedule an appointment at our spine imaging center, please call Radiology Central Scheduling at (415) 353-2573 (Monday-Friday 7:30 a.m. - 5:30 p.m.)
Most spine procedures can be scheduled within five to seven business days. Urgent requests are usually accommodated within two days. In addition, we can schedule spine interventional studies and CT, MRI, and PET/CT examinations on the same day.
For assistance with a referral, please contact our practice manager at (415) 353-9492 or e-mail us at spineimaging@ucsf.edu.
If you have any questions regarding authorization, price quotes, procedure codes, statements, or billing, please contact the billing and insurance department at (415) 514-8888, Monday-Friday, 7:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m.
Contact the UCSF Precision Spine and Peripheral Nerve Center
The UCSF Precision Spine and Peripheral Nerve Center is located within the UCSF Imaging Center at China Basin:
UCSF Imaging Center at China Basin
185 Berry Street, Suite 190, Lobby 6
San Francisco CA 94107
(maps and directions)
Radiology Central Scheduling: (415) 353-2573
Billing and Insurance: (415) 514-8888
UCSF Precision Spine and Peripheral Nerve Center Nurse: (415) 353-3717
For any questions, please contact us by email at spineimaging@ucsf.edu or call our practice manager at (415) 353-9492.
You can also visit us on our Web site, at www.UCSFSpineImaging.com.