Department of Diagnostic Radiology
Current Director: Tsai, Hong-Ming (Aug. 2008 to present)
Former Directors: Tsai, Hong-Ming (Aug.
2000 – Jul. 2002)
Yu, Chin-Yin (Aug. 1989 － Jul 2000)
Su, Cheng-Tau (Jun. 1988 – Aug. 1989)
The Department
was initiated at the establishment of the Hospital in 1988. There are
currently eleven full-time attendant physicians, eight part-time attendant
physicians, five nurses, 31 medical radiological technologists, five ultrasound
technologists, two mechanics and 14 clerks.
In addition to
providing medical service of general radiologic
examinations, special examinations, CT, MRI, and ultrasound examinations for
outpatients and hospitalized patients at the Hospital, another main job is to
train professional medical image physicians and education in general medical
image for students. Therefore, the Department has a comprehensive training
program for resident physicians in the hope of ensuring each trained physician
becomes an experienced and independent radiation expert after the exact training
of four years and furthermore with the skill of passing on his or her experience
to the coming generations.
Introduction to the
attendant physicians and their specialties:
Dr. Yu
Chin-Yin—neuroradiology and magnetic resonance
imaging, Dr. Tsai Hong-Ming—digestive radiology and interventional radiology,
Dr. Cheng Li-Li—chest and breast imaging, Dr. Shun
Hsing-Chiao—urological and reproductive
radiology,Dr.Chung Ta-Jung—chest radiology, Dr. Hsien
Chin-Chiang—bone/muscle radiology and general X-ray radiology, Dr.
Kuo Tzong-Nan—abdomen and intervention radiation and Dr.Sun Ming-Hsiang — neuroradiology and general X-ray radiology, Dr.Liu Yi-Seng—addomen and intervention radiation,
Dr.Huang
Chou-Ping— neuroradiology and general X-ray radiology,
Dr.Wang Chien-Kuo —bone/
muscle radiology.
Equipment and
examinations:
CT: the
Department currently has equipped with two CT scanners. One is a
high-speed spiral CT and the other is multi-detector(or
multi-slice) CT allowing 16 multi-slice canning.The
speed of scanning is one row in half a second and the combination speed of 16
slices in one row reaches as high as 32 slices in a second. The efficiency
of examination is improved while the interruption of breath and movement is
relatively reduced. Also, contributing to upgrading of scanner and
detectors, the resolution of image is significantly improved as well. Because of
great progress in software, the diagnosis is no longer limited to
cross-sectional images. Imaging may be obtained with multi-plannar reconstruction including coronal and sagittal images and 3D volume data
reconstraction
with sheded surface display (SSD) or volume rendering(VR) techniques. Furthermore, the 3D volume
data can be widely applied to various processing techniques, such as CT
angiography covering aorta to the extremity or aorta to the brain; virtual endoscopy including virtual colonoscopy, bronchoscopy or angioscopy;
coronary artery angiography and myocardial perfusion study and ventricular
function analy6sis. Such involution of CT imaging provides alternative choice other than conventional invasive procedures and
reduce patient suffering during diagnostic procedures.
MRI scan:
the Department currently has two MRI scanners. They are mostly used in the
diagnosis of neurological systems (brains and spines) and they perform better
than CT. They are also indispensable for muscles, ligaments and joints in
sports medicine. The advantages
of MRI are higher contrast of soft tissue, being able to be formed into
different sections (axial, coronal, and sagittal) and
without radiation.
Ultrasound scanning: there are currently seven ultrasound scanners. Five
are responsible for the examinations from outpatient services, emergency and
hospitalized patients. The other two smaller and movable ones are for
special invasive examinations and education. The five machines for outpatient
services, emergency and hospitalized patients have the function of Color Doppler
with four having Power Doppler and high frequency Probes to allow for further
blood stream mechanics research, diagnosis of blood vessel diseases and the
superficial tissues.
X-Ray,
or plain radiography: four digital X-ray machines are used to
generate images of head and abdomen and are offered for ward and OPD patients
(Room 2, 21, 22 and 23). There is a traditional X-ray machine (with tomography
function) for IVP study. Two digital X-ray machines can provide
fluoroscopy. Fluoroscopy is used to take real-time images and is good for
dynamic study of GI, urology, muscle skeleton systems or other invasive
radiology. There are two special X-ray machines for mammography.
Five portable X-ray machines can be brought to OR, ICU, ER, or wards for
patients unable to move.
Interventional radiology procedures are an advance in medicine that replace open surgical procedures. The department use in
angiography (Siemens Axiom Artis FA), fluoro image (Toshiba and Siemens I-Conos
R200), and ultrasound to guide small instruments such as catheters through the
blood vessels or other pathways to treat disease
percutaneously
(through the skin). These procedures are typically much less invasive and
much less costly than traditional surgery. Interventional radiology is
applies in angiography, embolization, balloon
angioplasty, percutaneous
nephrostomy
and double-J, biliary drainage and stenting, CT or sono-guide
puncture, biopsy, aspiration, alcohol injection, cystic
sclerosing
therapy, abscess drainage, neurolytic block therapy, cementoplasy, gastrostomy etc.
In addition to
clinical service, the department has always been responsible for education and
training resident physicians to foster professionals in diagnostic radiology.
The Department also takes care of radiology imaging training for interns and
fellow clinicians, continuous medical education program for general physicians
and radiologists from other hospitals in