One of medicine's most time-sensitive challenges is providing timely care for acute brain injuries. At UCSF Medical Center, our goal is to respond within 15 minutes to any neurological emergency.
If symptoms persist in stroke patients despite timely treatment with standard therapy, physicians should consider transfer to a Joint Commission Primary Stroke Center like the one at UCSF Medical Center, a dedicated, 29-bed Neuro ICU.
A large meningioma growing into the sella turcica and down the optic canals was causing a 37-year-old woman to lose vision. An aneurysm was detected in an artery supplying the pituitary and optic chiasm. Over 10 hours, surgeons removed the tumor, repaired the aneurysm and closed up with a cosmetic surgery. Vision was restored and no more treatment was needed.
Nuanced interpretation of contrast-enhanced MRIs by teams of UCSF specialists yields more accurate readings for brain tumors. Enhancement does not always signal re-growth, says Jennifer Clarke, M.D. Clarke is part of a team using MRIs to help evaluate new drugs and drug delivery techniques in clinical trials.
Neuroradiologist Steven Hetts, M.D., is leading collaborative research to carefully monitor patients with aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage for vasospasm, which can lead to a major stroke. When spasm occurs, Hetts uses balloon angioplasty and vasodilating medications to prevent stroke.
MRI plays a growing role in diagnosing neurological illness and injury. UCSF Medical Center has purchased three newly released, 3-tesla short-bore MRI scanners.
See information on upcoming continuing medical education courses.
The UCSF Physician Liaison Service provides assistance and information to referring physicians, medical groups and health plans. Please call the Physician Liaison Service or visit www.ucsfhealth.org/health_professionals.
Phone: (800) 444-2559
Fax: (415) 353-4395
Email: referral.center@ucsfmedctr.org
The UCSF Transfer Center is open 24 hours daily to coordinate the transfer of your patients to UCSF Medical Center from hospitals throughout the region.
Phone: (415) 353-9166
Fax: (415) 353-9172
