Research

Prostate MRI Abdominal imaging research at UCSF is focused on developing and testing new methods for diagnosing diseases of the organs, systems and tissues of the abdomen and pelvis.

Clinical and preclinical research complements the clinical diagnostic efforts in the abdominal imaging subspecialty. Research questions are driven by clinical need and involve a multidisciplinary approach. Our abdominal imaging physicians actively publish papers on novel imaging methods and proper image interpretation—particularly for CT and MRI— and they routinely challenge myths regarding the significance of many commonly utilized diagnostic radiologic signs.

Collectively, our abdominal imaging physicians have published several hundred scientific papers, authored or co-authored multiple textbooks, and attracted more than $6 million in funding from the National Institutes of Health (NIH).

Current activities cover:

CT Colonography Research	Reduced and non-cathartic preparation Low radiation dose imaging Extracolonic findings Polyp characterization techniques Stereoscopic 3D and virtual holography
CT Imaging Research	Patient-specific and disease-specific scan delays Radiation dose reduction Dual energy CT Novel CT and MR contrast material synthesis and development Novel contrast-enhanced imaging applications
Prostate Research	Prostate MRI: Multiparametric MR imaging for the localization and staging of prostate cancer A prospective multi-institutional clinicopathologic study for the evaluation of prostate cancer with MR spectroscopic imaging (MRSI) Hyperpolarized carbon-13 MR spectroscopy MR-guided prostate biopsy HIFU prostate cancer ablation From advanced prostate MRI study.
Hepatic Research	Liver fibrosis imaging with MR diffusion weighted imaging, dynamic contrast enhanced (perfusion), and spectroscopy Hepatic steatosis quantification with MR spectroscopy Hepatic imaging with cholangiographic and hepatobiliary CT and MR contrast agents Dual energy CT imaging
Genitourinary Research	Hyperpolarized carbon-13 for characterization of diffuse renal disease and tumor characterization Development and applications of novel contrast media Fetal MRI
MR Guided Focused Ultrasound Surgery (MRg-FUS)	Also known as high intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU). The MRg-FUS program at UCSF is an interdisciplinary effort that involves the active contribution of numerous interested investigators across multiple departments. Pre-procedural imaging and follow-up of uterine fibroids Prostate cancer ablation Patient on ExAblate Treatment Table.

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