Neuroradiologist in Northern California Bay Area

Founded in 1982, California Advanced Imaging Medical Associates, Inc. has grown to 60 radiologists who provide subspecialty expertise at 10 hospitals and multiple outpatient imaging centers in the San Francisco Bay Area as well as nationally through its subspecialty teleradiology practice.

CAIMA’s mission is to work with our hospital partners and outpatient centers to serve our communities and to provide state-of-the-art, accurate, comprehensive, and compassionate neuroradiology procedures to our patients.

What is a Neuroradiologist?

Neuroradiology is a sub-specialty of radiology that specializes in performing diagnostic imaging procedures to diagnose and treat diseases and conditions of the central and peripheral nervous system in the brain, spine, head and neck. Neuroradiologists utilize a variety of imaging modalities such as CT and MRI imaging to obtain accurate and detailed information essential for interventional and surgical procedures.

What Is The Difference Between a Radiologist and a Neuroradiologist?

The main difference between a radiologist and a neuroradiologist is in their specialization within the field of radiology.

Neuroradiologists often work closely with neurologists, neurosurgeons, and other specialists involved in the management of neurological disorders, while radiologist have a wide knowledge base and can interpret images from different parts of the body.

What Procedures Do Neuroradiology Perform?

Angiography

Angiography is a diagnostic imaging procedure used to examine or treat the blood vessels flowing to the head neck or spine. Performed by neuroradiologist, this examination typically requires the injection of a dye to help visualize specific conditions. These conditions can include narrowing of blood vessels, aneurysms, deformities or disease processes that can impede blood flow.

Myelography

Myelography is a diagnostic imaging procedure that provides images of the spinal cord and its nerves. It requires the use of a contrast agent (dye) to produce the detailed images needed for an accurate diagnosis. The procedure is used to diagnose abnormalities such as a herniated disc, narrowing of the spinal canal, and tumors.

Biopsy

Biopsies of the central or peripheral nervous system are performed by a neuroadiologist using images for guidance that have been provided by a CT scanner. The highly detailed images from several angles or views (stereotactic imaging) enable the physician to work with exceptional precision and accuracy.

Percutaneous vertebroplasty

Percutaneous veterbroplasty is a minimally invasive procedure developed to help treat pain resulting from compression fractures in the vertebrae of the spine. Using x-ray guidance, a medical grade cement is injected into the vertebral body after local anesthesia has been applied to the skin and involved bone. This procedure has been very successful in relieving pain associated with vertebral collapse in appropriately selected patients. The procedure treats only the fractured vertebra and does not reverse the process of osteoporosis or prevent future compression fractures.