Neuroradiology
Neuroradiology Division faculty perform the full gamut of diagnostic and interventional neuroradiology procedures. MR techniques currently implemented clinically include both structural and functional imaging, together with diffusion and perfusion imaging and spectroscopy. CT angiography with arterial post-processing is routinely used for the noninvasive diagnosis of cerebrovascular disease and is combined with CT perfusion, especially in patients with acute stroke. Head and neck imaging studies include routine PET/CT in head and neck cancers, as well as MR and CT. A spine intervention service (link to page with additional info on this service) provides expertise in discography, epidural steroid injections, selective nerve root blocks, disc biopsies, and vertebroplasty.
In 2008, the division successfully initiated 24/7 emergency department coverage for neuro MR and CT, meaning that final interpretations are generated immediately by attending radiologists for these procedures — the first known service of its kind in academic radiology.
The division has an extremely active and well-funded research program. Current projects include imaging of athletes with concussion syndromes, and a study evaluating spinal cord injury patients using newer imaging technologies, such as diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) and computerized post-processing.
Neuroradiologists at UPMC are an integral part of the diagnostic and therapeutic teams in several of the nationally ranked departments within the health system, including Orthopaedics, Oncology, Otolaryngology, Neurological Surgery, and Neurology. The division is based at UPMC Presbyterian, and faculty also staff UPMC Shadyside and UPMC Mercy.