Department of Diagnostic imaging @ Ospedale San Raffaele
Radiology or diagnostic imaging deals with the diagnosis of diseases through the use of different forms of radiation ranging from x-rays (conventional radiography, computed tomography (CT), ultrasound to radiofrequency (MRI). In addition, radiology also deals with minimally invasive therapeutic treatments and interventions (interventional radiology).
Our excellence in numbers
Notable advanced technological equipment
Radiology hosts several X-ray machines for the execution of the main routine and emergency radiological examinations (chest X-ray, X-ray of the different skeletal segments, orthopantomography, one dental cone-beam CT), 7 ultrasounds, 3 Multidetector Computed Tomography (MDCT), one of which is dedicated to cardiac imaging with a reduced radiation load to the patient. In addition, two 1.5 T magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scanners and hybrid technology shared with the Nuclear Medicine Operating Unit for both CT-PET and MRI-PET are also in use. A dedicated machine is available for measuring bone density in the spine and hip (Dual-Energy X-ray Absorptiometry) which helps identify osteoporosis. In addition, a new fully furbished Radiology Section within the Emergency Department hosts one ultrasound, two last-generation MDCT scanners and 2 X-ray suites.
Interventional radiology uses a multifunctional suite where a combination of ultrasound, digital angiography and cone-Beam CT is present.
- Ultrasound
Ultrasound, a probe which produces sound waves is used to study the body’s tissues, in particular soft tissues. Doppler ultrasound can investigate blood flow throughout vessels in the body. Ultrasound is a completely non-invasive technique that uses non-ionizing radiation such as sound waves. Ultrasound can be used to investigate abdominal organs, the musculoskeletal system, the thyroid as well as vascular structures.
Abdominal contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS): A small amount of intravenous contrast agent – gas filled microscopic bubbles- will be injected before the start of the ultrasound exam. These help better define organs and blood vessels. This contrast agent is safe also in patients with previous history of allergy and those with renal impairment. - Computed Tomography (CT)
Computed Tomography uses x-rays to create cross section scans of the organs and tissues of the body. This imaging technique has detailed spatial resolution with very high temporal resolution. It can be used to depict cardiac and vascular disease, define size and location of tumors, characterize tumors and monitor response to treatment. CT imaging is used in emergency situations. CTs can be acquired with or without contrast agent. Coronary CT angiography is currently used to exclude coronary artery disease.
In our Hospital a program of Low-Dose CT for Lung Cancer Screening is also available. - Magnetic Resonance (MRI)
Magnetic Resonance uses a static magnetic field and radiofrequencies to show in detail soft tissues of the body. MRI is a non-ionizing imaging scan.
MRI can be acquired with or without contrast agent.
Main applications and indications include cardiac-MR, oncologic MR specific for breast, liver, prostate, pancreas and gastrointestinal system investigations. Orthopedic magnetic resonance provide the most detailed information for joints, muscles and tendons.
Meet our team
Head physician
Francesco De Cobelli
Featured physicians
The San Raffaele Research Hospital is a highly specialized multi-disciplinary medical center of world importance, which embodies the integrity of the treatment, clinical research and teaching activities. San Raffaele provides treatment in all existing medical fields, which allows this center to take care of the most complex patient cases. The Hospital is recognized as IRCCS (Scientific Institute for Research and Healthcare) for its research in molecular medicine and innovative treatments application, such as the gene therapy.
The hospital is a multi-specialty center with more than 50 clinical specialties available and with over 1600 beds; it is accredited by the Italian National Health System to provide care to both public and private, Italian and international patients. In 2018 the San Raffaele Hospital performed over 51,000 patient admissions, 72,000 emergency room encounters and delivered over 1.5 million outpatient medical services. It is widely regarded as the most celebrated hospital in the country and among the most reputable medical centers in Europe. San Raffaele’s wards and operating theatres are equipped with the most advanced machines, such as PET, PET/CT, Gamma Knife, Cyber Knife, Rapid Arc, Tomotherapy. San Raffaele’s Radiotherapy Unit was the first place in Europe to install Tomotherapy in 2004. Nowadays this Unit confirms to be one of the most experienced worldwide; it has developed numerous protocols for cancer treatment of the prostate, breast, central nervous system, brain, liver, pancreas, gastrointestinal tract, lungs, and others. The Oncological Board of the Hospital consisting of diagnosticians, clinical oncologists, immunologists, surgeons and radiotherapists, hold weekly meetings to discuss oncological patients’ pathways in a multidisciplinary manner.
Beside its Cancer Center, San Raffaele is well-known for its medical know-how in cardiology and cardiac surgery, neurology and neurosurgery, gastroenterology and gastrointestinal tract surgery, liver surgery, pancreas surgery, transplant medicine, gynecology and obstetrics, urology, dermatology, ophthalmology, immunology, rheumatology and pediatrics.
San Raffaele is a pioneer in the field of gene medicine and treatment of rare immunologic and genetic diseases. San Raffaele Scientific Institute is where the first in the world gene therapy with stem cells was created, named Strimvelis, for patients affected by ADA-SCID syndrome.
The Research at the San Raffaele Hospital focuses on integrating basic, translational and clinical research to provide the most advanced care to the patients. It counts on over 1,500 scientists, working in state-of-the-art facilities covering a surface of 130,000 square meters, and have produced over 1,446 scientific publications in 2018. Research at San Raffaele aims at understanding the mechanisms underlying a variety of important human diseases and at identifying new targets and new therapeutic strategies to treat them.
The San Raffaele Hospital hosts the Università Vita-Salute San Raffaele, a fully private university with a complete Medical School (including specialty courses and residencies), Nursing School, a Psychology graduate and post-graduate programs, and Allied Health Professions School. The mission of the Vita-Salute San Raffaele University is to answer the question "Quid est homo?" in the belief that the human being is a biological, psychological and spiritual unicum. Since 2010 the San Raffaele Hospital also hosts the International MD Program, the only graduate program accredited to license Medical Doctors in both Europe and North America.
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