Specialized Services

A B C D E F G H I K L M N O P R S T U V W Y All Services

Radiology is a specialty that uses imaging techniques, such as X-rays and ultrasound, to diagnose and treat a variety of conditions. At UCSF Medical Center, we offer a full spectrum of techniques, using the most advanced equipment. We perform more than 500,000 procedures annually. In fact, a number of radiology advancements and applications were developed here.

To Visit Us

UCSF Medical Center provides radiiology services in several locations in San Francisco. A written request from your doctor is required for all radiology procedures. To schedule an appointment, please call the following numbers.

Parnassus

UCSF Medical Center
505 Parnassus Ave.
Third Floor, Room M-327
San Francisco, CA 94134

Services provided at this location include:

• General radiology
• Fluoroscopy
• Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)
• Ultrasound
• Positron emission tomography (PET)
• Nuclear medicine
• Interventional radiology
• Neuro interventional radiology
• Computed tomography (CT)

Ambulatory Care Center
400 Parnassus Ave.
Third Floor, Suite A-365
San Francisco, CA 94143

On the third floor in suite A-365, the following services are provided:

• General radiology
• Mammography
• Bone densitometry

Ultrasound scans are performed on the Plaza Level in suite A-099.

UCSF Imaging Center
1 Irving St., Suite AC-05
San Francisco, CA 94134

Services provided at this location include:

• Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)
• Computed tomography (CT)

Mount Zion

UCSF Medical Center at Mount Zion
1600 Divisadero St.
Reception Room A-142
San Francisco, CA 94115

Services provided at this location include:

• General radiology
• Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)
• Mammography
• Ultrasound
• Nuclear medicine
• Interventional radiology
• Computed Tomography

Diagnostic Breast Imaging
1600 Divisidero St.
Room H-2906
San Francisco, CA 94115

Women's Health Building
2356 Sutter St.
San Francisco, CA 94115

Services provided at this location include:

• Screening Mammography
  First Floor, Room J-146
  

  Appointments	(415) 885-7465
  Phone	(415) 353-7698
  Fax	(415) 353-7214

Make a mammogram appointment online.

• Ultrasound
  Second Floor, Room J-226
  San Francisco, CA 94115
  

  Phone	(415) 353-9913
  Fax	(415) 353-9921

China Basin

UCSF Imaging Center at China Basin
185 Berry St.
Lobby 6, Suites 180 and 190
San Francisco, CA 94107

Services provided at this location include:

• Computed tomography (CT)
• Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)
• Positron emission tomography (PET-CT)

Our Experts

Referrals for unusual and difficult cases are made daily from doctors in the community and from around the world. UCSF Medical Center has a longstanding reputation for diagnostic accuracy and technological expertise and as a leader in radiology.

Diagnostic Imaging

We use several diagnostic imaging techniques to identify diseases and conditions. These techniques include:

• General Radiography — General radiography refers to X-rays, also called plain films, that are a form of electromagnetic radiation, just like visible light. X-rays are used to generate pictures inside the body. There are many types of X-rays used for specific parts of the body, such as the chest, teeth, skeleton, pelvis, abdomen and so on.

• Computerized Tomography (CT) — Computed tomography (CT) is a method of body imaging in which a thin X-ray beam rotates around the patient. Small detectors measure the amount of X-rays that make it through the patient or particular area of interest. A computer analyzes the data to construct a cross-sectional image. These images can be stored, viewed on a monitor, or printed on film.

• Computed Tomography Angiography (CTA) — Computed Tomography Angiography (CTA) uses computed tomography (CT) technology to visualize blood flow in arterial vessels throughout the body, from arteries serving the brain to those bringing blood to the lungs, kidneys, arms and legs. CTA is used to screen people for arterial disease, such as aneurysms and pulmonary embolism. The procedure is minimally invasive and most patients can have a CTA without being admitted to the hospital.

• Magnetic Resonance Angiography (MRA) — Magnetic resonance angiography (MRA) uses magnetic resonance imagining (MRI) technology to obtain detailed images of the blood vessels, which helps to detect, diagnose and aid the treatment of heart disorders, stroke and blood vessel diseases. The procedure is painless, and the magnetic field is not known to cause tissue damage of any kind.

• Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) — MRI is a non-invasive procedure that uses powerful magnets and radio waves to construct pictures of the body. These images, or slices, can be projected, stored in a computer or printed on film.

• Nuclear Medicine — Nuclear medicine is a specialized area of radiology that uses very small amounts of radioactive substances to examine organ function and structure. It can also be used as a therapeutic approach to treat certain diseases.

• Positron Emission Tomography — Positron emission tomography (PET) imaging or scan is a non-invasive diagnostic test that combines the technologies of computed tomography (CT) and nuclear medicine. PET measures the metabolic activity of cells in the human body and is used in patients with certain conditions affecting the brain and the heart, as well as in patients with certain types of cancer. PET is unique because it produces images of the body's basic biochemistry or function and can detect changes or abnormalities, which may indicate that a person has certain diseases.

• Ultrasound — Ultrasound involves the use of high-frequency sound waves to create images of organs and systems within the body.

A highly trained, licensed professional, called a radiologic or nuclear medicine technologist, performs these imaging tests. The images generated may include pieces of film, such as X-rays, or more likely computer pictures that are viewed on a monitor. Once the images are ready, they're reviewed and interpreted by a specially trained doctor, a radiologist, who shares the findings with the patient's doctor, usually within one to two days of the procedure.

Interventional Radiology