USC Verdugo Hills Hospital Radiology Department, Montrose, CA (2025)

06/17/2023

In the Department of Radiology at USC VHH, we recognize that clear communication is vital in delivering effective healthcare, especially when patients face language barriers. We are fortunate to have physicians and staff onsite who are fluent in multiple languages, including Armenian, Farsi, Russian, Spanish, and Chinese (Cantonese). Moreover, we offer a range of language assistance services, including real-time video remote interpreting and audio interpreting in 175+ languages.

We continuously work towards expanding our language offerings to ensure that you can speak to our doctors as efficiently as you would in English. Every Radiology exam and procedure can be thoroughly explained to you, and all of your questions can be answered in your preferred language, 24/7/365.

If you are a non-English speaker, have hearing impairments, or have limited English proficiency, our trained interpreters will help you communicate effectively with your healthcare providers.

Please visit our website for our contact information:
https://uscvhh.org/hospital-services/radiology

03/30/2023

Today is National Doctors' Day, and we would like to express our gratitude and acknowledge the selfless work our physicians put in at the Radiology Department in USC Verdugo Hills Hospital, and physicians across the world.

03/06/2023

A cervical epidural steroid spinal injection may be performed to relieve pain associated with irritation around the nerves and joints in the neck and to treat the symptoms from a variety of conditions that may irritate the cervical nerve roots and joints.

Cervical epidural steroid spine injections may also be performed for someone that is feeling severe neck pain with numbness, weakness, or a sensation in the arm, shoulder, or between your shoulder blades.

The source of the pain will determine if an injection is needed, which is usually found with imaging methods like a CT scan or MRI with a strong clinical correlation with the patient's history, symptoms, and physical examination, in addition to other tests such as Electromyography (EMG) and Nerve Conduction Studies (NCS).

The epidural space surrounds the dura, the sac around the nerve roots containing cerebrospinal fluid, the spinal cord, the brain, and nerves. An injection into this space delivers medication, directly coating the nerves and/or joints in the injection site.

Cervical epidural steroid spine injections are not typically your doctor’s first treatment choice because they are not without serious risks.

Injections are reserved for patients who have experienced neck pain that persists for at least more than 4 weeks despite other treatments such as physical therapy, chiropractic care, or medical management, in addition to consultations with specialists that can perform cervical spine therapeutic injections safely.

Please check our comments more information on the photos!

01/02/2023

Happy New Year from the USC Verdugo Hills Hospital Radiology Department! Another year is in the books, and we wish all a new year of health, peace, and prosperity. We are looking forward to seeing what 2023 has in store for us! What are you most looking forward to in the new year?

11/24/2022

Happy Thanksgiving from the USC Verdugo Hills Hospital Radiology Department!

We’d like to express our gratitude to all the healthcare workers working today, celebrating Thanksgiving with coworkers and most of all their patients. We are so grateful for your commitment and selflessness to taking care of this community.

There is so much to be grateful for, whether it’s someone in your life, a memory that was made this year, and even simply having the ability to read this post. We hope that your holidays are spent with good people and good health. Happy Thanksgiving, and happy holidays!

09/29/2022

Procedures We Offer: Ultrasound-Guided Liver Biopsy

A liver biopsy is a procedure used for diagnosing abnormal liver conditions. This test is not a routine procedure and is only performed when it is necessary to obtain a sample of the liver without requiring surgery. This biopsy avoids the need to use anesthesia and "going under" to get a sample of your liver for pathology and laboratory tests. These tests are performed to evaluate liver diseases, liver tumors, and infections such as parasites. It may be ordered for several other reasons, such as:

• Assessing the amount of scarring in the liver due to certain diseases

• Assessing the stage or progression of a known liver condition

• Assessing the degree of inflammation and monitoring improvement or worsening inflammation

• Assessing a liver mass or abnormal spot on the liver to see if it is a tumor and if the tumor is benign or malignant

• Assessing for non-alcoholic fatty liver disease or Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD) & NASH see
https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/liver-disease/nafld-nash

• Determining how well a treatment is working

• Evaluating your liver following a liver transplant

• Further evaluating a lump in your liver based on recent scans (ultrasound, CT, or MRI scans)

• Identifying the reason your symptoms, blood tests, and scans suggest you have liver disease

• Helping explain abnormal liver test results that can't be explained by other means

The two main imaging methods used for guiding the needle into the liver are ultrasound and computed tomography scans (CT scans). For this post, we’ll focus on the ultrasound imaging method as shown in the photos above.

Image 1: Radiologist (a highly trained physician that specializes in image-guided procedures) using Ultrasound (US) on the liver for direct visualization of the mass, safe needle placement, and successful liver biopsy.

Image 2: A high-resolution US view demonstrating the mass to be biopsied. Using live US visualization can help the Radiologist identify the mass, plan a safety trajectory, see large blood vessels, and bile ducts to optimize the chance of obtaining adequate tissue sampling of the target lesion (in this case, a mass), and reduce the risk of complications.

Image 3: A successful US core biopsy of the targeted mass. In this patient's case, the mass is round, hypoechoic (darker shade of grey), and the hyperechoic (bright or lighter shade of grey linear structure) core biopsy needle is unequivocally located within the mass, therefore increasing the probability of getting an adequate tissue sample from the mass.

Ultrasound images of your abdomen are taken to locate the precise area where the biopsy will be performed. After the area is located, a needle device is used to retrieve a sample of your liver tissue to be examined under a microscope. This can be a core liver biopsy where a piece of liver is taken with a biopsy, and/or a fine needle aspiration if the liver lesion is better suited for a small needle to be used to suck some fluid out for analysis, such as an abscess or a symptomatic cyst. The liver tissue allows your doctor to check the health of your liver and to properly assess for everything mentioned above.

07/09/2022

What To Expect & How to Prepare: X-Rays

An X-ray image is produced using a machine that uses a small dose of ionizing radiation on an area of your body to produce an X-ray. It is quick, painless, non-invasive, and the most frequently used form of diagnostic radiology.

The average X-ray procedure will usually take about 5 to 15 minutes to perform, depending on how many images are taken and how many angles are needed to see the different parts of your body.

When it comes to preparing for an X-ray, there are just a few things to keep in mind.

If you are wearing clothing that may interfere with the X-ray, you may be asked to change into a hospital gown for the best results. Typically, you will only be asked to remove jewelry if it will interfere with the X-ray. By removing all jewelry prior to your X-ray, you can ensure the best images and reduce your radiation exposure.

If you might be pregnant, inform your radiologist or doctor in advance so that appropriate precautions can be taken, like limiting the amount of radiation exposure to the baby.

One of the most important parts of your examination is making sure you or your ordering physician provide as much history and information for why you are obtaining the X-ray. Your Radiologist, a specialized medical physician will use the information you provide to help generate a differential diagnosis that your ordering physician will receive.

During the procedure, a radiology technologist will guide you into the best position for the X-ray, and will ask you to stay as still as possible to prevent blurry images. The radiology technologist will activate the X-ray machine from behind a wall to protect themselves from being exposed to radiation many times a day, every day.

After the images are taken, you may be asked to wait until the radiologist checks the images to make sure they are not blurry and ready for further examination. In some cases, you may be asked to take another X-ray or have a follow-up exam.

Once you are cleared to leave, your radiologist will interpret your examination using your unique clinical history which should be provided by your doctor or yourself. The radiologist interpretation report will be sent to the ordering doctor or clinician.

05/26/2022

CT-guided epidural injections allow radiologists to visualize spinal anatomy like your bones, nerves, joints, discs, soft tissues, and surgical instrumentation that can be seen with much greater detail than traditional x-ray/fluoroscopic guidance.

Epidural injections are used to treat pain from the spine, which is commonly the source of neck, back, arm, and leg pain. CT-guided epidural injections are able to accurately pinpoint the source of your pain, we believe results in more effective treatment. With CT guidance, radiologists are able to inject medications into the targeted area with precision and safety.

Image #1 demonstrates the planning low dose CT scan with an overlying marker grid through the patient's intervertebral disc space level that correlated with the patient's distribution of pain, and other supportive clinical, laboratory and diagnostic tests.

The targeted dorsal epidural space was identified, and the percutaneous right intralaminar epidural safe access course was marked.

Image #2 demonstrates percutaneous CT-guided advancement of the appropriate needle safely advancing to the dorsal epidural targeted space.

Image #3 demonstrates CT-guided percutaneous advancement of the appropriate needle into the planned targeted dorsal epidural space.

Image #4 demonstrates CT fluoroscopic confirmation of air, and hyperdense contrast within the targeted dorsal epidural space unequivocally confirming the target was precisely accessed. Afterward, the administration of therapeutic medications were safely instilled into the planned, precisely accessed, and successful CT image-guided epidural therapeutic injection.

Fun Fact: this patient has an incidentally found pelvic kidney on the scan!

02/17/2022

At the end of last year, Dr. Dorian visited various teams around the hospital asking for shout-outs to anyone that’s been a vital member of their team as a reminder of how we all rely on one another to get through any challenge that comes our way.

If anyone has helped you get through the past year, please feel free to tag them in the comments!

01/22/2022

Happy New Year from the Radiology Department here at USC Verdugo Hills Hospital. We are back after settling into the new year and hope that you've been keeping safe as the Omicron variant surges. Please continue to wear your masks, get your vaccines, and/or booster so we can flatten the curve together.

We are looking forward to serving this community and providing you with radiology insights for another year!

12/30/2021

Jennifer Choi, M.D., is a board-certified and fellowship-trained radiologist specializing in Breast Imaging at the USC Keck School of Medicine. She received her medical degree from New York Medical College in 2011 and went on to complete her Diagnostic Radiology residency training at Mount Sinai West in 2016 and Women’s Imaging fellowship at the University of Southern California in 2017.

Dr. Choi began her career at NYU Langone as a breast imaging radiologist in 2017. She returned to Los Angeles in 2019 and joined the faculty of the USC Keck School of Medicine.

Dr. Choi’s interests include raising patient awareness about the importance of mammography and early detection of breast cancer.

12/26/2021

The USC Verdugo Hills Radiology Department would like to wish you all a Merry Christmas and a happy holiday! We would like to thank the doctors and staff that are either working or on-call today, ready to come in for any of you that are in need of immediate medical attention. From our families to yours, we wish you all the best this holiday season. �

12/23/2021

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the breast, or a breast MRI, is a test used to detect breast cancer and other abnormalities in the breast. It captures multiple images of your breast that are combined using a computer to create detailed pictures.

A breast MRI usually is performed after you have a biopsy that's positive for cancer. Breast MRI can show your health care provider the extent of the disease, but not every woman who has been diagnosed with breast cancer needs a breast MRI.

Breast MRI also may be used with mammography as a screening tool for detecting breast cancer in some people, and to look for other tumors in the breast, to name a couple reasons.

You health care provider may order a breast MRI if:
* You've been diagnosed with breast cancer and your provider wants to determine the extent of the cancer
* You're at high risk of breast cancer
* You have a strong family history of breast cancer or ovarian cancer
* You have a suspected leak or rupture of a breast implant
* You have a history of precancerous breast changes
* You have a hereditary breast cancer gene change, such as BRCA1 or BRCA2
* You had radiation treatments to your chest area before age 30

12/10/2021

Dr. Sandy Lee, M.D., grew up in Orange County, California. She completed her undergraduate studies at the University of California at Berkeley and then attended the Keck School of Medicine at USC for her medical degree. She then stayed at USC for her Diagnostic Radiology Residency, where she served as Chief Resident. Following her residency, she continued her fellowship training at USC dedicated to Women’s Imaging.

After training, she joined the faculty at the USC Keck School of Medicine in 2013. Dr. Lee is currently one of the faculty members in the Breast Imaging Division and serves as the Program Director for the Breast Imaging Fellowship. Being at USC in an academic setting allows her to contribute to a medical student, resident, and fellow education as this is one of her passions. She is also dedicated to serving a diverse patient population and providing high-quality patient-centered care when diagnosing and treating benign and malignant diseases of the breast.

Dr. Lee specializes in all aspects of breast imaging, including mammogram/tomosynthesis, ultrasound, and MRI interpretation and image-guided procedures. She is a dedicated member of the breast imaging team who is actively involved in the research projects here at USC. Her areas of research interest and publications include contrast-enhanced ultrasound of the breast, breast MRI and digital breast tomosynthesis.

12/07/2021

December 1st was World acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) Day. It’s a day of remembrance for the lives lost to AIDS since the disease’s emergence 40 years ago, and a day to spread awareness and fight against the stigma around the disease.

We have come a long way since the first World AIDS day in 1988. Today, treating human immune deficiency virus (HIV) with antiretroviral treatment (ART) allows people to live as healthily as a person without HIV.

ART stops HIV from replicating itself in the body, allowing the immune system to repair itself. By taking treatment properly, people can have an undetectable viral load. This is achieved when the HIV in the body has been reduced to such low levels that it cannot be s*xually transmitted. ART is not a cure, so it is important to consistently take the treatment. The viral load will increase if you stop taking treatment, affecting your health and making HIV transmittable again.

When HIV is untreated, it leads to AIDS. Without HIV medicine, people with AIDS typically survive about 3 years or less depending on the severity of the illness. HIV medicine can still help people at this stage of HIV infection, and it can even be lifesaving.

One can have HIV but not AIDS because AIDS is defined by certain criteria of a poorly functioning immune system In particular, the amount of CD4+ white blood cells attacked by HIV.

The spread of HIV can be prevented by never sharing needles, practicing abstinence, and using condoms correctly every time you have s*x.

If you are at risk for HIV, talk to your doctor about taking pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) or post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP). These are two HIV medications that lower the risk of getting HIV infection.

Please consider getting tested for HIV if you do not know your status.

12/01/2021

As November comes to an end, we'd like to raise awareness for Lung Cancer Awareness month. Lung cancer is the most common cause of cancer death worldwide. In 2020, there were 2.2 million new cases of lung cancer worldwide, and 1.8 million deaths from lung cancer, according to the World Health Organization.

Smoking ci******es is the single biggest risk factor for lung cancer. More than 70% of lung cancer cases are caused by smoking.

However, people who have never smoked can also develop the condition through passive smoking, pollution, and occupational exposure to certain chemicals and substances to name a few. Quitting smoking is the single best lifestyle modification and preventative medical treatment one can do to reduce the risk of lung cancer.

Symptoms of lung cancer develop as the condition progresses. The main symptoms of lung cancer include: a cough that doesn’t go away after 2 or 3 weeks, a long-standing cough that gets worse, chest infections that keep coming back, coughing up blood, aches and pains when breathing or coughing, persistent breathlessness, tiredness, lack of energy, and/or a loss of appetite or unexplained weight loss.

If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, please schedule an appointment with your doctor.

11/26/2021

This Thanksgiving, we hope that you take a second to reflect on what you are grateful for. We have gotten through another pandemic-impacted year, for one! We hope you share our enthusiasm for the future as vaccination rates continue to rise and we can safely spend time with our loved ones once again.

We would like to express our gratitude to the healthcare teams who continue to work tirelessly on our behalf. We are also grateful for your trust to care for you and your communities.

The Radiology Department at USC Verdugo Hills Hospital sincerely wishes you a safe and happy Thanksgiving!

11/24/2021

November is National Alzheimer's Disease Awareness Month. This devastating disease is the most common form of dementia and one of the leading causes of death in our country. More than 50 million Americans suffer from Alzheimer's Disease, and the number will continue to climb as our population ages.

While there is currently no cure, Keck School of Medicine (KSOM) is at the forefront of researching Alzheimer's Disease, developing therapeutics, and providing support to patients and their families. KSOM investigators are tackling Alzheimer's from multiple angles and at different stages of the disease's progression.

USC Verdugo Hills Hospital Radiology Department

06/17/2023

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