Los Angeles-Area Neuroradiology

With their unparalleled expertise, the City of Hope® Division of Neuroradiology team provides world-class neuroimaging care in all forms of cancer of the brain, neck and spine. We are committed to providing timely, high-quality and consistent imaging-based services to assist our patients through their health journeys.

Why Is Neurologic Imaging Performed?

We leverage advanced neurologic imaging techniques and leading-edge technologies to help our patients answer challenging clinical questions about brain, neck and spinal cancers. We also are experts in imaging various endocrinological disorders, such as hyperparathyroidism and pituitary disorders.

What Sets Our Neuroradiology Program Apart?

Our specialists utilize magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), computed tomography (CT), positron emission tomography (PET) and fluoroscopy to provide important imaging data to get each patient quality clinical care at the right time.

• MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) of the brain, neck or spine is rarely a one-size-fits-all technique. Our radiologists developed and utilized personalized MR imaging protocols, demonstrating our commitment to addressing a variety of clinical questions specific to patient needs. Our group is experienced in advanced MR techniques such as tractography to map critical nerve fiber pathways in the brain to allow maximal tumor resection, perfusion imaging to help increase confidence in the diagnosis of tumors and post-treatment effects, and functional MRI to identify the critical brain areas necessary for speech and motor function to help improve post-treatment quality of life.
• CT (computed tomography) is the rapid acquisition of imaging data through the use of ionizing radiation. We understand the concerns about radiation exposure and carefully plan our CT protocols to provide the highest quality CT imaging data while keeping radiation exposure as low as possible. CT imaging is often used in imaging of face and neck medical conditions such as head and neck cancer, sinus and orbital disease, as well as skull base abnormalities.
• PET (positron emission spectroscopy) imaging uses radioactive tracers to find cancer and metastatic disease by targeting the tumor's metabolic activity or specific protein structures. Our team consists of experts in interpreting PET imaging for cancers in the head and neck, including lymphoma and melanoma. PET can also be used in the brain for diagnostic imaging, such as brain tumors and post-treatment effects. While PET is typically combined with CT for improved diagnostics, our City of Hope radiologists can combine the physiologic PET imaging data with MRI for improved anatomic delineation.
• Fluoroscopy: The City of Hope neuroradiology team utilizes fluoroscopy, or dynamic X-ray images, to help guide minimally invasive procedures such as lumbar punctures. Fluoroscopy-guided lumbar punctures are a large part of our daily services to acquire cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) for laboratory testing, administer chemotherapy into the CSF spaces, or administrate myleographic contrast for CT myelogram imaging. Our neuroradiologists are experts in performing these procedures rapidly to provide the clinical care necessary while reducing discomfort and anxiety.

Research at City of Hope

City of Hope’s longstanding commitment to research excellence is founded on our belief that innovative cancer therapies are key to helping patients find the treatment that works best for them. Our neuroradiology team is actively involved with research projects at City of Hope and beyond, and every team member is committed to bringing high-quality clinical care from the research world to our patients.